CRSS 444 CRIME SCENE MANAGEMENT
DIAGRAMMING
Introduction.
The ordinarily, is a two-dimensional representation of the scene of the crime and, as such, does not provide
accurate information concerning the distance between various points in the scene. The relationship existing
between objects present in the scene cannot be clearly understood unless the measured distances are known.
Certain objects, moreover, are not visible in a photograph or cannot be clearly identified. A drawing or
crime scene sketch is the simplest and most effective way of showing actual measurements and of
identifying significant items of evidence in their location at the scene. Sketches are divided generally into
rough sketches and finished drawings.
1. Rough Sketch. The roughly sketch is made by the investigator on the scene. It need not be drawn
to scale; hut the proportions should lie approximated and the appropriate measurements on
dimensions shown. The rough sketch may be used as a basis for the finished drawing. No changes
should be made on the original sketch after the investigator has left the scene.
2. Finished Drawing. The finished drawing is made primarily for courtroom presentation. It is
generally based on the rough sketch and drawn to scale by a person skilled in either mechanical or
architectural drawing.
3. Materials. A sketch of a crime scene may be accomplished with little more than a pencil, a sheet
of paper, and a straight path On the other hand, a finished drawing will require more advanced
equipment. If the investigator wishes to draw an outdoor- crime scene together with the surrounding
terrain and achieve a reasonable degree of accuracy, he must possess an elementary knowledge of
geometry. The following materials will be found useful although they should not be considered an
absolute necessity.
For Rough Sketching. For a rough sketch it is generally desirable to use a suit pencil. Graph paper is
excellent for sketching as it provides a guide for lines and proportions. A clipboard, or a piece of
plywood or Masonite, of a size which will fit in the investigator’s briefcase will serve as a sketching
surface. The investigator should have a compass so that he may accurately indicate directions and also,
a steel tape to ensure accurate measurement.
For Finished Drawing. When the finished drawing is to be made in the office and based on the rough
sketch, the draftsman will require a driving set, a drafting board with accessories, ink, and a good grade of
drawing paper. Since the drawing is made to scale, these materials are necessary to ensure e accuracy y. If
the finished drawing is to be made at the scene, tie equipment of the draftsman should include a compass,
steel tape, and alidade.
Elements of sketching
The following considerations apply generally to all sketches:
Measurements. Measurements must be accurate. In portraying a large area, a sufficient degree of accuracy
is obtained by measurements of yards or tenths of a mile; for small areas measurements accurate to the
sixteenth of an inch may be required. Measurements should be accomplished by the sketcher himself
making the actual measurement while his assistant verifies all readings. Measurements establishing the
location of a movable object must be based on immovable object. While measurements may be indicated
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, between movable objects to establish a correlation, at least one set of dimensions must reach an immovable
object.
Compass Direction. Compass direction must always be indicated to facilitate proper orientation of the
sketch. The compass is used to determine "North.'' A standard arrow of orientation will indicate this direct
ion on the sketch.
Essential Items. The sketch should portray those items which have a bearing on the investigation being
conducted. The inclusion of unnecessary detail will result in a cluttered or crowded sketch and tends to hide
or obscure the essential items. Simplicity is essential and sketches should be limited to the inclusion of only
relevant material. For example, the sketch will include an outline of the room together with the doors,
windows, chimney and other fixe objects. The furniture will then be indicated. The dead body or other
significant object will be shown in relation to the furniture and other objects. Measurements will be made
of the room, fireplace, sink, doorways etc. the distance of the various parts of, for example, the body from
these objects will be measured and recorded.
Scale or proportion. The scale of a drawing will normally be dependent upon the area to be portrayed, the
amount of detail to be shown and the size of drawing paper. It is normally advisable to use the smallest
scale practicable. The actual or approximate scale of a sketch should always be shown by words and figures
or graphically. If a rough sketch is made, the size of an object may be approximated as correlated to other
objects. For example, if one dimensions of a room is thirty feet and the other ten feet, the first line would
be approximately three times the length of the second
Legend. The legend is an explanation of symbols used to identify objects in the sketch. In sketches
portraying a large area, (conventional signs or symbols may be used. These should be explained in the
legend. If it is necessary to show considerable detail in a sketch covering a small area, the various objects
may be lettered and an explanation included in the legend. Excessive lettering in the sketch generally will
result in a crowded sketch and obscure essential items.
Title. The title of a sketch should contain the case identification (case file number and offense);
identification of victim or scene portrayed; location; date and hour made; and the sketcher. These data
authenticate the sketch.
Rough Sketch—A representation of all essential information, evidence and measurements at a crime scene
drawn at the crime scene.
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DIAGRAMMING
Introduction.
The ordinarily, is a two-dimensional representation of the scene of the crime and, as such, does not provide
accurate information concerning the distance between various points in the scene. The relationship existing
between objects present in the scene cannot be clearly understood unless the measured distances are known.
Certain objects, moreover, are not visible in a photograph or cannot be clearly identified. A drawing or
crime scene sketch is the simplest and most effective way of showing actual measurements and of
identifying significant items of evidence in their location at the scene. Sketches are divided generally into
rough sketches and finished drawings.
1. Rough Sketch. The roughly sketch is made by the investigator on the scene. It need not be drawn
to scale; hut the proportions should lie approximated and the appropriate measurements on
dimensions shown. The rough sketch may be used as a basis for the finished drawing. No changes
should be made on the original sketch after the investigator has left the scene.
2. Finished Drawing. The finished drawing is made primarily for courtroom presentation. It is
generally based on the rough sketch and drawn to scale by a person skilled in either mechanical or
architectural drawing.
3. Materials. A sketch of a crime scene may be accomplished with little more than a pencil, a sheet
of paper, and a straight path On the other hand, a finished drawing will require more advanced
equipment. If the investigator wishes to draw an outdoor- crime scene together with the surrounding
terrain and achieve a reasonable degree of accuracy, he must possess an elementary knowledge of
geometry. The following materials will be found useful although they should not be considered an
absolute necessity.
For Rough Sketching. For a rough sketch it is generally desirable to use a suit pencil. Graph paper is
excellent for sketching as it provides a guide for lines and proportions. A clipboard, or a piece of
plywood or Masonite, of a size which will fit in the investigator’s briefcase will serve as a sketching
surface. The investigator should have a compass so that he may accurately indicate directions and also,
a steel tape to ensure accurate measurement.
For Finished Drawing. When the finished drawing is to be made in the office and based on the rough
sketch, the draftsman will require a driving set, a drafting board with accessories, ink, and a good grade of
drawing paper. Since the drawing is made to scale, these materials are necessary to ensure e accuracy y. If
the finished drawing is to be made at the scene, tie equipment of the draftsman should include a compass,
steel tape, and alidade.
Elements of sketching
The following considerations apply generally to all sketches:
Measurements. Measurements must be accurate. In portraying a large area, a sufficient degree of accuracy
is obtained by measurements of yards or tenths of a mile; for small areas measurements accurate to the
sixteenth of an inch may be required. Measurements should be accomplished by the sketcher himself
making the actual measurement while his assistant verifies all readings. Measurements establishing the
location of a movable object must be based on immovable object. While measurements may be indicated
1|Page
, between movable objects to establish a correlation, at least one set of dimensions must reach an immovable
object.
Compass Direction. Compass direction must always be indicated to facilitate proper orientation of the
sketch. The compass is used to determine "North.'' A standard arrow of orientation will indicate this direct
ion on the sketch.
Essential Items. The sketch should portray those items which have a bearing on the investigation being
conducted. The inclusion of unnecessary detail will result in a cluttered or crowded sketch and tends to hide
or obscure the essential items. Simplicity is essential and sketches should be limited to the inclusion of only
relevant material. For example, the sketch will include an outline of the room together with the doors,
windows, chimney and other fixe objects. The furniture will then be indicated. The dead body or other
significant object will be shown in relation to the furniture and other objects. Measurements will be made
of the room, fireplace, sink, doorways etc. the distance of the various parts of, for example, the body from
these objects will be measured and recorded.
Scale or proportion. The scale of a drawing will normally be dependent upon the area to be portrayed, the
amount of detail to be shown and the size of drawing paper. It is normally advisable to use the smallest
scale practicable. The actual or approximate scale of a sketch should always be shown by words and figures
or graphically. If a rough sketch is made, the size of an object may be approximated as correlated to other
objects. For example, if one dimensions of a room is thirty feet and the other ten feet, the first line would
be approximately three times the length of the second
Legend. The legend is an explanation of symbols used to identify objects in the sketch. In sketches
portraying a large area, (conventional signs or symbols may be used. These should be explained in the
legend. If it is necessary to show considerable detail in a sketch covering a small area, the various objects
may be lettered and an explanation included in the legend. Excessive lettering in the sketch generally will
result in a crowded sketch and obscure essential items.
Title. The title of a sketch should contain the case identification (case file number and offense);
identification of victim or scene portrayed; location; date and hour made; and the sketcher. These data
authenticate the sketch.
Rough Sketch—A representation of all essential information, evidence and measurements at a crime scene
drawn at the crime scene.
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