Criminal Investigation CH. 2 CTC-Killeen
What is CAD?
A computer-assisted drawing.
What are some benefits of CAD?
Accuracy, repeatability, simplicity, speed, and portability.
How should you maintain evidence?
By identifying- including backing information
How should notes be retained?
By placing them in a secure locations, placing them under a filing system, making them available months or even years later; policy usually determines where and how notes are filed and many officers retain notes indefinitely
What are some advantages of photos?
Can be take immediately; accurately represent the crime scene.
What are the characteristics of effective notes?
Complete, factual, accurate, and specific, legible, clear, arranged in chronological order, and well-organized.
How should you file evidence?
Cross-refernce by case number and follow department policy
What are some disadvantages of photos?
Detail may distract viewers; small nuances or discrete evidence may be missed
What does the minimum photographic equipment have?
Instant-print cameras; point and shoot cameras; digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras; fingerprint cameras; video cameras; and accessories
What are some admissibility issues when using sketches and drawings in court?
Investigators must be prepared to testify about: Information contained in the sketch, conditions under which it was made, and the process use to construct it.
What should you sketch?
It is better to include too much rather than too little; do not include irrelevant objects; objects to be sketched depends on the crime scene- large scene or small are; original floor plans
What should the finished scale drawing consist of?
It should be done in ink, drawn to scale, made at police station, simple or complex
What are the criteria of admissibility of photographs in court?
Must meet specific criteria to be admissible in court- a material photograph related to a specific case and subject; a relevant photograph helps explain testimony; a competent photograph accurately represents what it purports to represent
What are the steps in sketching a scene?
Observe and plan, measure distance, plot objects, take nots, use a legend and scale, and reassess the sketch
What should you do in filing an overview?
Place rough sketch in a secure file; may be used later to question witnesses or suspects, keep the rough sketch in its original form, may be needed for testifying later
What should you photograph or videotape?
Plan shots that least disturb the scene, use overlapping to cover entire scene, long-range shots of locality, medium- range shots of the immediate crime scene, and close-range shots of specific evidence
How can sketches serves as an investigative aid?
They can accurately portray the physical facts, relates to the sequence of events, precise location and relationships of objects, helps create a mental picture of the scene, permanent record of the scene, and usually admissible in court.
How can legal application be admissible of notes in court?
They can help discredit a suspect's or a defense witness's testimony, support evidence already given, strengthen testimony, and defend against false allegations
What do well-prepared sketches and drawing help people do?
Visualize crime scenes.
What are some errors to avoid when using photography in investigations?
be familiar with your equipment, maintain proper perspective, shown the objects in their relative size and position, take pictures from eye level, and use checklist to help eliminate errors.
What are some advantages of video?
can some distances; audio capability
What are some types of investigative photography?
crime scene. surveillance, aerial, night, laboratory, mug shots, and lineups.
What are some disadvantages of video?
poor focusing, overusing the zoom, and unintentional audio
What should you sketch and use when creating a rough sketch?
the first pencil-drawn outline of a scene; paper of any type will do, keep two or three penciils on hand, use a measuring tape for measuring long distances, use a compass to determine true north
