ABSTRACT
A series of sketches may be required when documenting a death scene. An overall sketch shows the location where the death occurred; an area sketch shows the relationship of the room or area within a structure to the floor plan. A detailed sketch shows the spatial relationship of specific items of evidence and their immediate surroundings. The original sketch that is drafted at the scene is the rough sketch. It may be drafted onto graph paper and is generally done in pencil with a straight edge and other simple drawing tools or perhaps a template. From the rough sketch, a finished sketch will be prepared. It will be the sketch attached to the death scene report and quite likely will be used in court. An area sketch depicts the general location or area of the death scene. It would include surrounding homes and properties, street names, and any other pertinent area features the death scene investigator considers important.
