why to they outline a body at the scene of the crime? I've always wondered.
I've been on several dead body scenes in the last 2-3 years, but have never seen them actually outline the body. For our jurisdiction, CSI typically photographs/diagrams everything and we give a very detailed description of the layout, body position, and other relevant details in our report. I believe they did it in the past just in case further follow-up was needed at a later date. Think it was a way to "preserve the scene." Also, you can't really get footprints out of the grass, or fingerprints off a wet/muddy rock...much to the surprise of my complainant/victims. The show "CSI" is just that, a TV show. Just remember, every department is different and my have different methods/procedures.
Uhhhh, in the past before digital (instant) photos, it was so you knew where the body was and in what position.
Even before digital the body wasn't 'outlined' at least for the last 29 yrs... proper documentation for condition & postiion of the body is accomplished by photographing then crime scene sketching. the sketch is a scale drawing of the scene with a baseline & measurements to the head, hands, feet for 'future' re-orientation if necessary. Of course the more measurements the better, but these 4 areas will provide necessary documentation.
Wow I hadn't thought of a chalk outline in forever! Now that I do, I remember the Naked Gun scene with the outline floating in the water. Nothing to see here! Move along!