4.

1 - Categories of CSD
Crime scene management (CSM) involves processing the place where an incident
presumed to be a crime has taken place. This is extremely significant part of
investigation because evidence that originates at the CS will provide a ‘picture of
events’ for the court to consider in its deliberations. That picture can be completed by
combining the statements of witnesses, CS photographs, physical exhibits, and the
analysis of those exhibits, along with the analysis of the CS itself. The most credible
evidence that the investigation of the CS was effectively and efficiently managed are the
documentations. Crime scene documentation that meets forensic standards can prove
the following during court deliberations:

1. That the CS was secured promptly and properly;

2. That the original location and condition of all evidence items found at the scene have
been recorded thus preserved for crime reconstruction and legal purposes;
3. That every member of the investigating team who entered the scene is competent
(actions of personnel who participated in the investigation of the CS are compliant to
the protocols required by the circumstances of the case);
4. That every investigative task necessary to be performed at the scene has been
initiated and completed.

If all these can be established by the documentations of the CS and the actions of the
investigating team, then the legal integrity of the evidence items collected at the CS is
strengthened. Appropriate CSD boosts the credibility of the investigation.
To verify if there was proper CSM in a particular case, the evidence to confirm this is the
complete documentation of the scene including the record of all actions performed by
the investigating personnel.
The known categories of CSD are:

 Narrative description (field notes and voice recording)

 Administrative worksheet
 Photographic log
 Diagram or sketch
 Evidence recovery log
 Latent print lift log

As already mentioned in the earlier lessons, there are protocols involved in processing a
CS. All these protocols (standard procedures) are parts of the so-called CSM (crime
scene management).  The most tasking procedure is documenting the scene and the
investigative activities performed inside and adjacent to it. Documentation involves
photography, note-taking and report writing, sketching, measurements, and recording
names of people in charge of collecting evidence, and the dates and times those people
were present. In many cases, poor scene documentation can lead to inadmissible
evidence in a court of law, or missed evidence that may allow a guilty party to get away
with a crime against persons or property. 
Properly processing a CS involves many different people using a wide variety of media
or methods to record data, provide a timeline of the investigation, as well as how the
scene was approached and evidence was identified, marked and collected for analysis. 
CS investigators must always keep in mind that criminal lab testing personnel, lawyers,
and even judges will consider all evidence at some later point in time. When developing
a plan of action to identify and gather evidence from any CS, the investigator must
follow legal protocols in order to assure that all collected evidence will be admissible in
a court of law. Proper collection, documentation, identification of evidence and who
collected the evidence and how particular items were retrieved may be of extreme
importance in trial.
While it is impossible to anticipate the vagaries of lawyer's objections or queries of the
trial judge, the CS investigator must provide acceptable answer to any question directed
to him before and during trial of the case that he investigated. It is a must therefore that
investigators and their staff should always practice diligence and attention to detail
when processing and documenting every CS.

4.2 - Notes Taking

Extensive note-taking is recommended and is perhaps the most basic aspect of CSI.
Note-taking in this context is not limited to the use of small notebook then writing down
significant matters observed during the time the CS is being investigated. Note-taking
includes the use of voice recorder as more efficient way of narratively describing the CS
appearance and other matters that could be important later on.
Proper marking and tagging physical items collected as evidence is another aspect of
note-taking. This is really important for systematic identification and retrieval of physical
evidence.  If the evidence can be shown to have been improperly collected or handled,
or if it can be proven that the evidence chain-of-custody has been broken, the value and
authenticity of that evidence can, and probably will be, questioned in the future.
There are several factors which differentiate good note-taking from bad note-taking:

 Notes should be thorough and as complete as possible

 Notes should detail every step and process of the CS investigation.
 Notes should be in chronological order and taken as events during the investigation
occur.
 Notes should have accurate measurements to specify direction of evidence found
(i.e., 7 inches’ south-east corner of table)
In addition, initial notes taken by CS investigators should include: 

 Data and time crime reported.

 Type of crime.
 Location of CS and description of area
 Names of personnel who took photographs, drew the CS sketch, collected
fingerprints, etc.
 Location of evidence found and name of person or officer who collected it.
 Description of interior and exterior of CS, if applicable.
 Weather and light conditions during CSI. 

Use of Worksheets (administrative

forms)
Most law enforcement agencies, just like the PNP, use forms (pre-printed forms)
designed to document major aspects of CSI. These are also known a administrative
worksheets/form which were developed from a trial-and-error approach based on actual
case experiences.
There is an important point to consider when forms are being drafted for routine use
during CSI. Often, there is a tendency to consider forms as means to cover every
possibility that the investigator may confront.  Take note that such forms normally serve
only as reminders of the minimum information needed to perform a task. 
Each CS requires a degree of deviation from the normal or standard operating
procedures. Remember that forms or worksheets are not substitutes for thinking.  These
are merely tools to assist investigators to fully exercise training and experience to meet
the needs of a given situation.

4.4 - Photographing the CS

GENERAL PROCEDURE IN CRIME SCENE PHOTOGRAPHY
If you are forensic photographer of the CSI team or the SOCO team, observe this
general procedure in photographing the appearance of the CS, including the evidence
items found therein:
1.  As soon as the go-signal is given for you to document the CS, take overall photos of
the scene to show the ff:
        > approach to the area,
        > street signs, and
        > street light locations in relation to the actual scene, street addresses and
identifying objects at the scene.
      Pictures should also be taken of every room in the house, even if their relationship
to the crime scene is not readily apparent.
2.  Photograph the scene in a clockwise pattern before altering the body's position or
any other evidence within the scene. Photograph the scene from at least 2 opposite
corners, but from all 4 corners is even better. This way, nothing is missed or hidden
from view by intervening objects.
3. If there is a victim at the scene, photograph the body and the immediate vicinity
around it. If you have a camera boom, take pictures from ceiling height down of the
victim and any other evidence. This perspective often shows things missed when
viewed from ground or eye level.
4. Keep a photographic log (photo-log).
The photographic log is the record how the CS was systematically documented using
still & video cameras.  This record shows the overall, medium, and close-up views of the
scene.  It contains a series of photographs of the CS taken in a systematic manner
based on SOP.
The progression of CS photographs is useful in reconstructing the crime.  This should
be the progression of shots which the CS photographer should observe.
5. Take long-range photos of the locality, points of ingress and egress, normal entry to
the property, exterior of the building/premises, and street signs or other identifiable that
will establish location.
6. Take mid-range photos of the immediate CS and the location of objects of evidence within the
area or room.
7. Take close-range photos of specific evidence items (hairs, fibers, footprints, and
bloodstains)
 

GUIDELINES IN PHOTOGRAPHING THE CRIME SCENE

1. Begin taking photos ASAP. Plan before photographing.
2. The evidence collectors must not touch or move any evidence once it is located until
it has been identified, measured, recorded and photographed.
3. Document the photographic effort with a photographic log.
4. The SLR camera is the best tool in documenting physical evidence & location; the
video-cam is the best tool in recording the activities of each team member.
5. Insure that a series of overall, medium & close-up views of the scene is established.
6. Use recognized scale device for size determination when applicable.
7. When a scale device is used, first take a photograph without the inclusion of this
device.
8. Photograph evidence in place before its collection and packaging.
9. Photograph areas adjacent to the CS - points of entry, exits, windows, attic, etc.
Consider feasibility of aerial photography.
10. Photograph items, places, etc., to corroborate the statements of witnesses, victims
and suspects.
11. Take photographs from eye-level (when feasible) to represent scene as it would be
observed by normal view.
12. Film is relatively cheap compared to the rewards obtained. Do not hesitate to
photograph something which has no apparent significance at that time - it may later
prove to be a key element in the investigation.
13. Prior to lifting fingerprints, photographs should be taken 1:1 scale, or use
appropriate scale.
14. Photographs must be supplemented by sketches.

4.5 - Sketching the CS

The crime-scene sketch is the record of physical evidence locations, as well as
measurements showing pertinent size and distance relationships in the CS.  The
investigator’s sketch of the CS can be more descriptive than hundreds of words, just like
photographs.  The CS sketch assists in interviewing and interrogating people, preparing
the investigation report, and presenting the case in court.  The CS sketch establishes
permanent record of items, conditions, and distance/size relationships .  Sketches
supplement photographs of the crime scene, including the photographs of
objects found therein.
 

Guidelines in CS Sketching
1. To establish admissibility of CS sketch, the sketcher must have personal
observation of the place and objects found in the sketch. In other words, the sketch
prepared must be sponsored or verified.
2. Sketches are not substitute for field notes and photographs - sketches are
supplements to field notes and photographs.
3. Accomplish rough sketch ASAP. Make additional types of sketch at the CS while
there is time.
4. Write down all measurements. Measurements should be in harmony. Do not mix
centimeters, inches, feet yards, and meters in one sketch.
5. Fill in all the details on your rough sketch at the scene. Final sketch may be
prepared at the office.
6. Keep the rough sketch even when you have completed the final sketch.
7. Indicate the north direction with an arrow.
8. Set the key/legend, compass orientation, etc.
9. Draw the final sketch to scale. Indicate the place (address) in the sketch as well as
the person who drew it. Use key or code:  capital letters of the alphabet for listing
down more or less normal parts or accessories of the place, and numbers for items
of evidence.
10. Indicate the position, location and relationship of objects. Select the most convenient
method or system of locating points (objects) on sketch.
11. Critical measurements, such as skid marks, should be checked by 2 investigators.
12. Use standard symbols in the sketch.
13. Show which way the doors swing.
14. Show with arrow the direction of stairways.
15. Recheck the sketch for clarity, accuracy, scale, and title, key/legend.
16. Photocopy rough & final sketch; the copies should be attached to the IOC’s report.
17. The original sketch should be filed securely and ready for court presentation later.
According to Bennett & Hess, sketching the CS should follow this procedure:
1. Observe and plan
2. Measure distances
3. Outline the area – indicate the crime scene boundary
4. Locate objects and evidence within the outline (boundary)
5. Record details
6. Make notes
7. Identify the sketch with a legend and a scale
8. Reassess the sketch
 
Additional guidelines in sketching:
1. Draw rough sketch at the CS and use it as a model for the finished sketch.
2. Indicate the essential contents of the rough sketch.

 What should be the contents of the rough sketch of CS?

              What are the essential/mandatory contents?
              What are the optional contents?
3. Number/letter designations on sketch should be consistent with number/letter
designations on the evidence log.
4. The general progression of making the sketch should be as follows:
a. Lay out basic perimeter
b. Lay out fixed objects, furniture, etc.
c. Record position of evidence
d. Record appropriate measurements- double check
5. Indicate the specific address of the CS and the identity of the sketcher