Computer Aided Drafting for Law Enforcement

by Joseph E. Badger

Today, computers are used extensively in police work. Current computer programs accommodate practically every police function--records management, dispatching, personnel scheduling, and supply maintenance, to name only a few applications. But, are departments using computers to their fullest potential? In many instances, the answer is "No!"

One area often overlooked involves installing computer- aided drafting (CAD) software into computers. With CAD software, the computer is used to assist with a drawing or a design.

Most people would ask why a police department would need a CAD program; after all, cops don't design or draw anything. However, the value of this software package becomes obvious considering the reoccurring need of police officers to reconstruct crime scenes or to diagram scenes of traffic accidents. In these types of investigations, a drawing shows what occurred and reinforces the narrative of the report.

USES OF CAD

In a traffic accident report, the details included are most likely proportional to the seriousness of the incident. Usually, a minor "fender-bender" only qualifies for a few terse lines telling what happened and a very simple diagram. On the other hand, a multivehicle accident involving serious injuries or fatalities dictates a more comprehensive investigation, one that includes a detailed narrative and a scale drawing of the accident site.

Once filed, reports on minor traffic accidents with no injuries are often forgotten, never to be seen again. But, this is not the case with reports on major accident investigations. Insurance claims adjusters, lawyers, and perhaps even a judge and jury will scrutinize these reports should cases go to litigation. In these instances, it is important that the diagram of the accident scene be as detailed and precise as possible.

The same holds true for accounts of crime scenes. In their reports, investigators must show an entire overview of the crime scene, as well as specific areas crucial to the case. This usually requires more than one drawing. The position of the victim, the location of the weapon and other pertinent evidence, and entrances and exits to the crime scene are factors in the investigation and prosecution that must be carefully noted. And, in many instances, the precision and detail of the report reflect the quality of the investigation and credibility of the investigators.

THE WORKINGS OF A CAD PROGRAM

Reconstructing an accident or crime scene requires the investigator to show exactly what transpired, who was involved, and the position of the objects involved. All this is facilitated with a CAD program, because it contains pre-drawn intersections and roadways, or buildings and rooms, onto which information can be entered.

For example, in figure 1 (not shown in BBS version of this article), the investigator positioned the vehicles involved in a traffic accident, showed the direction in which the vehicles were traveling, and indicated tire marks, visual obstructions, traffic signs, and the scale of the diagram in feet. For a crime scene investigation, a CAD program can be used to draw a general view of the area and then to "zoom in" to a specific room.

CAD programs also offer a variety of fonts and styles of letters to show differentiations in the diagram and to give the finished product a professional appearance. Some CAD programs allow for letters and numbers to be indicated at any angle and at any scale. CAD programs normally include a library of symbols, such as vehicles, traffic signs, etc., to be used for reconstruction purposes. And, once familiar with the program, users can create their own symbols and store them to be retrieved for future application.

ADVANTAGES OF CAD PROGRAMS

Using a CAD program for accident or crime scene reconstruction offers many benefits. First, there is the professional appearance of the diagram. A CAD program allows the investigator to add to the diagram at any time, and the diagram can be enlarged and reduced at any time. Once a diagram is created, it can be resized to fit available space on a preprinted report form. With a plotter, the same drawing can also be made large enough for a courtroom exhibit. The finished product is clean and free of corrections. Sloppy drawings oftentimes reflect poorly on the quality of the investigation. With CAD programs, there is no mess; erasures or corrections simply do not show up on the finished product.

CAD programs prevent duplication of effort, because only one drawing needs to be made. Then with a few keystrokes on the computer, sections can be shown from different angles.

Many departments contract with draftsmen or engineers to produce scale drawings. This can be quite expensive and time consuming, which may result in a backlog of projects. Also, additional meetings with investigators may be required to decipher notes or measurements.

There is also the time factor to consider. Some detailed scale drawings consume considerable workhours before they are completed. Then, if an error is detected, the entire project might have to be redone. With a computer and a CAD program, alterations are generally simple and the time required to do them is minimal. Enlargements or reductions, which would mean additional hours at the drawing table, are produced in a matter of seconds.

Storing or filing scale drawings also poses problems. A large-scale drawing on a big sheet of poster board is difficult to store since it doesn't fit in filing cabinets. As a result, the drawing is placed wherever there is room--behind a desk, in a storage room, next to a filing cabinet. If it is moved for one reason or another, it may never be found. And, the more the drawing is used in presentations, the more "worn" it becomes.

Oftentimes, additional copies of drawings need to be made for defense attorneys and prosecutors. Large drawings are not photo copied easily, and photographs take too long to process and do not show details clearly. With a CAD program, making multiple copies is a simple matter.

CONCLUSION

There are CAD programs on the market that have been developed specifically for accident and crime scene reconstructions. Most of the programs are inexpensive and cost-effective, and the funds spent for them are quickly recouped in workhours saved. With a CAD program, police departments, regardless of size, can increase their efficiency and expand the potential of their computer systems.