When scanning your notes, please ensure that non-involved incidents are covered, vetted or removed. If the notes don’t apply to the call that you’re submitting your notes for, please remove them. Ensure the pages are properly scanned and not cut off (i.e.: too light, time cut off, bottom line or top line cut off, etc.). We need to go through every set of notes and every willsay to vet sensitive information. This becomes difficult when we cannot read the notes so please try to make them legible and not scan information that isn’t related to the call. Lastly, once you have completed your notes and willsay at the end of your shift, please remember to conclude your task. We have steps we need to take in the back end of the file and cannot complete these steps if you have not completed your task. This is especially problematic when you’re at the end of your set of shifts and not back in for several days.
There are two forms that every officer should have in their duty bag and the Sergeants should have in their vehicles. These forms need to be started once the scene has been established. These forms are MANDATORY at all homicides as they provide documented continuity of the crime scene. I have attached a sample of both forms for your reference. If your division requires these forms they can be ordered from graphics with the following numbers:
Crime Scene Guard Logs – 101291 AUG05
Crime Scene Entry / Exit Log – 101297 AUG05
These forms are the logs of the officers that guard a scene. These are handed off between officers as they are relieved. They remain at the scene until the point is collapsed and the original is forwarded to homicide once it is completed. Any relief officers must also be listed on this form, even if they are only present for a few minutes.
These forms are the logs of who enters and exits the scene. They are unique to each officer and form part of the officer’s notes. They document ANYONE that enters the scene with the entry time and exit time as well as the purpose of the entry. The original is forwarded to homicide at the conclusion of your shift.