• After an initial assessment of the scene, you will summarize what documentation will be needed to properly record and preserve the scene. You have arrived at the scene, which is located at a six-story hotel resort. First responders (police and emergency medical personnel) are already on scene. As you pull into the parking lot of the hotel, it begins to rain and you notice a crowd of people beginning to gather around the scene. The first police officer on the scene briefs you as you approach the area where the victim was found. A male body is floating face down in the pool near the pool's edge. The man has been identified by hotel staff as a guest that was registered in the corner, 7th floor hotel room of Building A. Two witnesses from a guest room facing Building A state they saw two men fighting on the 7th floor balcony and then the male in the blue shirt went over the balcony rail. They claim he was pushed. Neither want to stick around or give their names, as they are married - but not to each other. Based on their statements, you presume the actual crime scene may be in the room or on the balcony, and not in the pool where the decedent is located. You go to the decedent's room. The hotel manager states the man arrived alone and registered as single occupancy.  He also states room service delivered breakfast for two about an hour earlier. You find the breakfast still on the balcony table, but some broken dishes and glasses are on the floor of the balcony. Chairs are knocked over from an apparent struggle. You see drops of blood on the tile floor of the balcony. It is still raining and the wind is shifting. The balcony is starting to get wet. The hotel room otherwise indicates no struggle. There are two slightly wet bathrobes and two wet towels hanging in the bathroom. There is one small duffel bag of men's clothes next to a bed that appears to have been slept in by two people. There are no other personal effects.

Based on the scenario, as you perceive it from the initial information given, you will assess the scene from the perspective of the crime scene investigator. You will determine what documentation is needed to properly record and preserve the crime scene(s) for the purpose of investigation and court proceedings. Your assessment must accomplish the following items listed below.

• Identify the type of documentation of the crime scene(s) that will be needed for the case file. You must be specific in your response (e.g., sketch of a bathroom, photo of a table, logging of evidence, reports, etc.).
   
• Explain and justify the priority you will place on the various types of documentation.

Based on the same scenario, as you perceive it from the initial information given, you will assess the scene(s) from the perspective of the crime scene photographer. You will determine how you will record and preserve the scene(s). Your assessment must accomplish the following items listed below.

• Evaluate the scene(s). Include a physical and environmental assessment.
   
• Determine what documentation needs to occur (e.g., photography, video) and in what locations.
   
• Identify the specific photos that you will take.
   
• Explain the process of your documentation. What must investigators, other crime scene personnel, bystanders, or hotel staff do, or not do, to ensure you can effectively record the scene(s)?
   
• Explain and justify the specific methods that you will use to capture the various images.
   
• Explain and justify the priority you will place on capturing specific images at the scene(s).

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

Solution As a crime scene investigator arriving at the hotel resort scene my primary objective is to document and preserve all relevant evidence in a systematic and thorough manner The documentation p... View the full answer