Investigative Photography and Crime Scene Sketches Thanks to Steve Gilbert, MFS Criminal Investigations Program SUNY at Canton

Investigative Photographyand

Crime Scene Sketches

Thanks to Steve Gilbert, MFSCriminal Investigations Program

SUNY at Canton

Crime Scene Photography

• One of the FIRST investigative tasks!!!

• Types of cameras used:

35mm SLR

Video

Digital

Polaroid

Crime Scene Photography

• Advantages of photographs

Can be taken immediately

Can accurately depict crime scene

Creates interest

Supports testimony

• Disadvantages of photographs

Do not show actual distances

Can be distorted

Digital images can be altered

Advantages of Video Taping

• Increases Intoxication convictions - DUI

• Enhances officer integrity

• Provides officer safety

• Documents traffic violations

• Reduces court time for officers

• Lowers liability for misconduct claims

• Documents probable cause and evidence

Disadvantages of Video Taping

• Records unwanted sound

• Documents errors made by officers and technicians

• Officers not always trained

• Discrepancies with Time/Date stamp

Types of Photographs

Establishing photographs depict an overall view of the scene, buildings, approach and escape routes, witnesses, etc.

Medium-range photographs depict the relationship between objects, concentrates more on the immediate scene.

Close-up photographs depict individual items of evidence.

This establishing photograph depicts the overall crime scene.

This medium-range photograph depicts the actual scene and relationship of evidence.

This close-up photograph depicts a single item of evidence.

Flash photography is often needed during the day. As seen in the photograph, the camera’s eye is fooled by the bright brickwork, while the evidence is in darkness.

Same photograph, but with a flash. Now the evidence can be seen.

Photographs should contain rulers or objects to help establish the size of the evidence.

In this instance, the known length of the bill can be used as a scale to determine the length of the knife.

Macroscopic photographs depict details of objects, and are taken at extreme close range.

The General Uses of Photography

• Crime scene documentation

• Surveillance of people and locations

• Mug shots

• Line-ups

• Laboratory examination of evidence


Sketches are important supplements to photographs and crime scene reports. Sketches….

• Accurately portray physical facts

• Relate to the sequence of events

• Establish locations and relationships

• Provide an overall picture of the scene

• Are a permanent record of the scene

The rough sketch is drawn at the crime scene. It is not a finish product, although it does contain measurements and other data.


The finished sketch is often drawn by a draftsman to show proper relationships and scales. The finished sketch is more presentable for court presentations.

Steps in Sketching the Crime Scene

1. Observe the scene and plan the sketch

2. Measure distances

3. Outline the area (area dimensions)

4. Locate and draw objects and evidence within the sketch

5. Record all details

6. Depict legend, title, scale and direction of North

A

10’8’

Triangulation Method of Locating Evidence

Item A is 10’ from the SE corner of the room, and 8’ from the SW corner of the room. These measurements will ALWAYS intersect at item A’s location.

A


Evidence must be triangulated to two fixed points. Not using the corners of the room, how would object A be triangulated?

desk

A


First, the desk is not fixed, as it is not touching the wall and its location has not been determined. To fix the desk, do this:

desk

A


Now that the desk has been fixed, object A can be fixed from two fixed points from the desk, as such:

desk

3’

1”

A


Now that the desk has been fixed, object A can be fixed from two fixed points from the desk, as such:

desk

3’

1”6’

5’

A


In this scenario, the desk is flush against the wall. How would object A be triangulated?

desk

A


The flush side of the desk is already fixed. One measurement is required to place the desk along the wall. Object A is then triangulated as usual.

desk

3’

5’

6’

A


This desk is flush in the corner against both walls. How would object A be triangulated?

desk

A


Since two sides of the desk are already fixed, object A is triangulated as usual.

desk6’

5’

A


Once evidence is triangulated, it can become a fixed point to triangulate other items of evidence. In this case, object B.

desk6’

5’

B

2’2’

Rectangular-Coordinate Method

A

B

15’

10’6’

6’

N

E

S

W Body

Tree

Shed

Compass

40°

340°

Azimuth Method of Triangulation

Reverse azimuth:340°-180°=160°

160°

Reverse azimuth:40°+180°=220°

220°

Administrative Data

LEGENDA. VictimB. RevolverC. Shell CasingD. Blood Stain

TITLECase: 1234-2001Location: Payson Hall, Room 111Victim: State of New YorkOccurred: Oct 31, 2001, 2300Drawn by: Detective GilbertVerified by: Detective Marlowe

Not to ScaleNorth Or

¼” = 1 foot

Rules for Drawing Sketches

• Never measure through space

• “Rotating” items require measurements at opposite ends

• Oddly shaped items, such as puddles of liquids, are triangulated from center of mass

• Do not cross measurement lines

• Always have the sketch verified

10”

13”

Since the blood droplets are of no particular defined shape, they are triangulated to the “center of mass”

Projection Sketch