Lakewood Police Department
Policy and Procedure
Crime Scene Photography and Sketches 		Effective Date: 10/15/2010
Policy Number: PP-4605
  1. Policy - None.
  2. Procedure
    1. The photographs of a crime scene shall be made by a patrol CSI or Criminalistics technician.
    2. The individual in charge of a crime scene shall determine whether the completion of a sketch is indicated based on the complexities of the investigation and the nature of the photographs taken. 
    3. Crime scene sketches shall include accurate dimensions, identifying characteristics such as address or room number, location of fixed and movable objects including victims, if any, location of evidence, compass direction arrows, and the date, time, and investigator completing the rough sketch. 
    4. Photography used in investigations is frequently a time-limited activity in which there is only one opportunity to correctly complete the task.  Depending on the nature of the crime, incident or documentation required, conditions may dictate the selection and use of equipment and techniques. 
  3. Rule
    1. All major and some minor crime scenes shall be photographed to record the condition of the scene as found. 
    2. Digital photography is the standard medium for documenting investigatory photography.  Videotape may provide an adjunct to color photographs, but cannot stand alone in documenting police activity. 
    3. Crime scene sketches shall be completed in major cases where conventional photographic techniques do not accurately and completely portray the scene or when having a sketch will simplify understanding a crime scene. 

 

NEXT: PP-4606 - Collection of Evidence for Lab Analysis