FSC100H5 Crime Scene Documentation & Chain of Custody PDF

Rachael Ori Professor. Shelby Scott FSC100H5 October 1st &...

Rachael Ori Professor. Shelby Scott FSC100H5 October 1st & 3rd, 2024 Crime Scene Documentation & Chain of Custody Notes Documenting the Crime Scene Purpose of crime sceneinvestigation: ↪ Collect information to determine what occurred (series of events) ↪ Preserve crime scene context and evidence (relates to integrity, admissibility and documenting the process for judicial process) Documentation for crime scene investigation ↪ Begins even before arrival on scene (time of dispatch) ↪ One initial walk through is completed, must document scene in detail (rough sketch is done at this time) Documentation as a permanent record - preserves crime scene context and evidence Documentation requires crime scene investigators to be organised and systematic Time consuming Four Tasks of Documentation: - Note taking (done throughout) - Videography - Photography - Sketching Usually in this order (but every scene is unique), whatever is going to be lost, may be done first - All these things contribute to the preservation of the scene All of this must occur before evidence is collected (commonly different from what we see in TV shows) - Forensic Science is a discipline that relies on transparency and honesty and objectivity which is gained through thorough documentation Note-Taking at the Crime Scene: The Importance of note-taking Done as events unfold, detail step-by-step actions ○ Not retrospectively (being conscious of what happened previously or applying something new to the past) Memory loss may affect the accuracy and quality (may be easier for a CSI than a responding officer, because the area has already been cleared and secured, thus they have more time to detail actions as they are being done) Note-taking is important because: ○ Provides permanent record of scene ○ Criminal investigators may rely on case notes in the future, particularly for drawn out investigations ○ What exactly you did 2-3 years ago, having to testify to that when someones life is on the line - providing a factual account of the scene ○ Seemingly insignificant information may turn out to be significant E.g sees a purse on bed with money sturn about - initially may be insignificant but later ay be significant and need to be documented or else would be forgotten about and affect the outcome of a case Forensics and CSI walk around in their PPE with a notebook or clipboard taking notes Guidelines for Note-Taking Crime Scene Investigators should document: ➳ Notification and arrival information (how they were notified of this particular incident, any arrival information that surrounds, at x time was dispatched by who, under whose authority, how did you arrive, access to scene,) ➳ Information surrounding initial walk through (who conducted initial walkthrough - was it done alone, or with someone else) ➳ Description of crime scene and scene conditions (weather, temperature, rained night previously, dirt dry, damp or wet, is it snowing, etc - the crime scene itself) This must be detailed - identify particular articles of clothing, where are they found, location, condition, etc ➳ Description of victim (if applicable) - similar to initial responder looking physical description, position at the scene, relationship to things at the scene ➳ Description of crime scene search and all evidence (point of arrival, all the way through to search and evidence transport) ➳ And more… just like responding officer there are some which are relevant to CSI General order but every crime scene is different - meticulous note taking is key to competent crime scene investigation Importance of transparency: ⏺ - Notes should never be erased or edited (without documenting that has been done) If mistake is made or something must be amended: It shall be crossed out with a single line and initialed beside it These notes can be viewed by defence and prosecution - imagine you cross something out, it would not be transparent Anytime you are using a computerised version of documentation to take notes, it has a version history. Thus you are unable to make changes or amendments (MUST BE CROSSED OUT AND INITIALLED) i) Notification Information: Date/time notified (your first involvement with the scene) Method of notification (by who? Supervisor? Provincial Dispatch) Information received when notified ○ E.g Type of crime, location of crime, presumed weapon Any other information that has been relayed (e.g whos coroner or medical examiner, what have officers on the scene done already, whos your point of contact) ii) Arrival Information Means of transportation (did you drive in? park) Date/time of arrival at the crime scene Personnel present at the crime scene ○ Name and affiliations ○ Name of witnesses Any information provided upon arrival (e.g from initial responding officer) E.g: get called to a scene at 11pm, but cannot go to the scene till the next morning. - what happened in between that time iii) Initial Walk-Through information: Date/time it began? Who performed? Who else was in attendance? Identification of evidence during Date/time it ended ○ E.g assignments to team members, search plan and why, etc iv) Scene Description Description of crime scene location ○ Surrounding houses and streets (residential or rural area? Farm, bedroom? What did other streets look like? High traffic area?) Description of the screen itself ○ Indoor: describe interior and exterior ○ Outdoor: describe terrain, flora, fauna (lots of green grass, or yellow grass? maggots) Condition of crime scene ○ Messy or clean? Evidence or recent activity (e.g is there food out on plates, moulded or fresh. Is the oven on or off) Weather at the crime scene (temperature, rain, sun) v) Victim Description What information is collected depends on whether the victim is alive or deceased ○ Victims physical description (height, colour of hair/eyes) ○ Relevant demographic information (e.g age, biological sex, colour of skin) ○ Description of visible wounds ○ Presence or absence of identification ↪Any deceased person at a scene require that a coroner take authority of that body, thus a responding officer cannot necessarily go through the pockets of a deceased person (a csi may ask corner) If the person is deceased: position of body, information of lividity, evidence in relation to the body Recall: if the victim is deceased, the body cannot be touched or disturbed without explicit instruction from the coroner Be aware of the limitations of your knowledge Only document what you see and what you know as a fact vi) Detailed evidence handling results ➶ Physical description of evidence exhibit ➶ Location of evidence exhibit \ ➶ Position of evidence exhibit (book closed on the ground or closed, where is it near? The bed) ➶ Evidence collection details - who? - Name and affiliation - Date/Time it was collected ➶ Results of search for fingerprints, DNA, trace Evidence is not as straightforward as it is represented. It is important that CSI should use best judgement, training an experience - In the order it is performed and in detail  Make a conscious effort to present negative or unexpected conditions as well For Example: ➸ Absence of bloodstains where such is expected (indicates that it is not the primary scene) ➸ One light is on when all others are off Videography of the Crime Scene (Video Recording) Done routinely in major crimes, discretionary for other crimes Advantages over still photography: graphical depiction that shows spatial relationships within the crime scene ○ “Virtual initial walkthrough” allows individual to do the walkthrough at a later date ○ Done in addition to other documentation efforts Done during or immediately following the indian walkthrough Guidelines for videography: ⤷ No equipment or personnel ⤷ Must remain objective ↳ No audio ↳ Narration during the video recording may introduce subjective bias ⤷ May use placecard at beginning of video to provide relevant information ↳ Viedographer;s name ↳ Date/time of video recording ↳ Location ↳ Case number Effective videography of a crime scene includes all aspects of the initial walkthrough: Begin with crime scene surroundings ○ Include roads to and from the crime scene ○ General view of the crime scene Enter crime scene Move through the crime scene ○ Showcase orientation of items of evidence in relation to the scene overall (wide angle perspective) ○ Pan the area and then zoom in on evidence exhibits May utilise a scale Leave the crime scene \ ○ Videotaping spectators or other victims at the scene of the crime if applicable (criminals often return to the scene of the crime) Recall: no documentation of a crime scene should be deleted or altered in anyway ➔ Documentation as evidence Best practice: Review the video recording on the crime scene in real time Reshoot if necessary Photographing the Crime Scene Photographing the crime scene serves several purposes: - Refreshing memory: - Crime scene investigators - Witnesses - Demonstrates spital relationships between items of evidence - Convey image of the crime scene and circumstances of the crime to the trier of fact or juror/judge - Must be able admissible - Must be able to testify photo is an accurate depiction of area shown To accurately depict the area shown, photographs must: Represent subject matter in - colour, scale and form Be in focus Show relationships between objects (where is that object) All digital files should be retained - through use of a photo log (for what purpose were those photos taken) Photo Log: Proof of a documentation photo being taken at a crime scene Typically includes: - Date (date each photo taken) - Case number - Photographer’s name (each name) - Information on equipment used to take the photo (e.g camera type, lens) - Information specific to each photo ↪ Photo number ↪ Time photograph was taken ↪ Type of photos (overall, mid-range, close-up) ↪ Description of what the photo shows ↪ Listing each photograph (e.g shutter speed, distance from camera to object) Equipment used for Photographing the Crime scene Photography used to be the norm (35 mm film single lens reflex (SLR) Today, majority of agencies used a digital photography (DSLR) Greater flexibility Ability for images to be incorporated into digital reports DSLR cameras have varying resolution capabilities Higher megapixel capability ideally Allows for quality photo enlargements (when you take a photo and attempt to make it bigger, it minimises the blur and pixels) Flash: external flash often better than those built in the DSLR camera Benefits of external flash: Control the flash/lighting Direct flash to certain area Bounce flash off lighter surface Enhance details of patterned evidence (move angles, tire treads/shoe print patterns) - can be moved Illuminate areas in shadows Camera Lens: tool to bring light to a fixed focal point Lenses for DSLR cameras are interchangeable Benefit for choosing which is most appropriate ○ Normal lens approximately 50mm Duplicates what a normal eye perceives Crime scene investigators should generally chose a macro lens - may take close-up photos while remaining in focus Guidelines for Photographing the Crime Scene Crime scene photography is systematic and organised General to “specific” ○ Overall ○ Mid-range ○ Close-up Guidelines allow for: Orientation of the crime scene as a whole (imagine taking photos of your body, and you get a picture of your knee cap, you need context to know what that is. Giving context and allowing one to orient themselves into the evidence at the scene) Orientation of evidence within the scene Provides quality photographs for examination Overall Photos: Taken upon arrival at the crime scene (relates to transparency - shows what the scene was like when it was first applicable to you) Includes locator images - demonstrates location of crime scene Serves to capture condition of crime scene before alteration occurs Also depicts overall scene context - Important to have overlapping coverage to show the entire expanse of the crime scene Exterior: Document - surroundings of crime scene (other streets, other homes) ○ May utilise aerial photographs - taken from above in helicopter or plane (particularly useful in major crimes) ○ May depict: Location of indoor scene relative to larger area Demonstrating perimeter of large outdoor crime scene Interior: Document - actual crime scene location ○ Taken from all four cardinal directions (North, South, East, West) Each room corner for indoor crime scene ○ All photos should overlap ○ Should include doors leading into and from the structure Provides link to exterior photos Mid-Range Photos: Also known as intermediate or evidence-establishing photos Purpose: - Show where evidence is in the crime scene - Transition viewer from overall to close-up photos With and without evidence marker Close-up Photo: Purpose: - Show details of specific items of evidence or details of scene contect Example: Details of tire tread mark Layering of bed linen Two types taken: - Photograph of evidence exhibit as it is found - Photograph of evidence marker and a scale included (important that plane of camera parallel to plane of object being photographed) H ow many photos are required? Question: How many photographs should be taken Recall: every crime scene is different Any number so long as they each serve a purpose General rule: better to overshoot When in doubt take the photo Every photo must be documented in the photo log: ↪ Never to be deleted Sketching the Crime Scene Permanent record of size and distance relationships of all the crime scene and associated evidence, using units of measurement Routine in major crime, discretionary for other crimes Two Types of Sketch: Rough Sketch - often done during the initial walkthrough (measurements added to this sketch after photography is performed) Final (finished) Sketch - prepared for presentation in Court (prepared based on the rough sketch) Every crime scene sketch should have: ➳ Title or Caption ➳ Legend ➳ Compass designation (indicator arrow) - allows viewer to orient themselves at the scene ➳ Documentation Block: case number, offence type, and victims names (if applicable) ➳ Date / time sketch done ➳ Name and affiliation of sketcher ➳ Scale (mapping scale) Types of Sketches Crime scene investigator decides which type of sketch to prepare Floor plan Elevation Plan Site Plan Cross-sectional Plan Each may have a rough version and a final (finished) version Use depends on scene location Floor Plans Two-dimensional sketch Provides birds eye view of a room or series of rooms Utilised for indoor crime scenes Benefit: ⤷Simple and Easy ⤷All interests are in one plane Elevation Plans Two-dimensional sketch Used when the vertical plane is of interest (hill, stairs) Utilised for indoor and outdoor crime scenes Benefits: ⤷Simple and easy ⤷All items of interests are in one plane Site Plans Two-dimensional Bird’s eye view Utilised for outdoor crime scenes Benefit: ⤷Simple and easy to interpret May Illustrate: - Property lines - Roads - Topography May be obtained from other sources Cross-Sectional Plans Also known as “exploded view” or “cross projection” sketch Two-dimensional sketch Combination of floor plan and elevation sketch Utilised for indoor and outdoor crime scenes ○ Useful in forensic anthropology (e.g clandestine graves) Measurements All Sketches contain measurements - Sketching the crime scene often done last because taking measurements is somewhat intrusive - Use caution Four Methods of Measurement: 1. Triangulation 2. Baseline 3. Polar coordinates 4. Perspective grid (photogrammetry) Triangulation Measuring the distance from two fixed points to the location of evidence Fixed Point - unmovable item ↪ Requires multiple people ↪ Best for outdoor scenes or tricky contexts Record: 1. Distance from each point to where tapes overlap over the evidence exhibit 2. Cardinal direction of each measurement Use multiple points if evidence is large ➔ Provides more accurate representation Baseline Measurements Measuring the distance of an object from a baseline at a right angle Indoor Scene - baseline as a wall Outdoor Scene - baseline created from fixed point Requires multiple people Indoor or outdoor crime scene Record: Distance from baseline to evidence exhibit Cardinal direction from each measurement Polar Coordinates Also known as “map and compass” Most simple, yet the least accurate Crime scene investigator stands at a fixed point, sights to evidence exhibit Requires two people Best over large distances Record: Distance from investigator to evidence exhibit Cardian direction of each measurement Photogrammetry Also known as the “Perspective grid method” - Places an object of known measurements into a photograph - Multiple overlapping photos from multiple angles ➷ Includes standard measuring tool - Best done using specialised software ➷ Measurement calculations based on known dimensions and camera’s angle of view ➷ Overlapping photos limits distortion Chain Of Custody Purpose: prove integrity of evidence submitted to Court - May otherwise be deemed inadmissible The Chain Must Show: 1. Details of evidence collection a. Who? b. When? 2. Subsequent contact with evidence a. Time? b. Circumstance c. Changes made to evidence 3. Where the evidence was stored Documentation in Chain of Custody: Evidence exhibits are labelled during packaging/preservation Chain of Custody documentation: Evidence Labels Notes or Logs Final Reports