4. Conduct an initial survey of the scene to identify potentially valuable evidence, take notes and capture initial photographs of the scene and the evidence (see Section 3.1.3). 5. Then do a thorough documentation of the scene paying attention to all apparently probative evidence (see Section 3.3 regarding the Documentation of Forensic Information). 6. Document any statements/comments made by victims and witnesses (see Section 3.4 regarding Documenting Information from Victims and Witnesses). Documentation of the crime scene can be done by creating an audio recording or by taking notes, photographs, video recordings, sketches and measurements. It is important to record: • The precise time of arrival at the crime scene. • The general state of the scene as encountered. • Particular odors and signs of activities. • Any person present at, entering or leaving the scene. • Changes to the scene that may have occurred as a result of people’s presence at, entering or exiting of the scene. • Any areas where the vegetation differs notably from other places (may indicate recent movements of earth, e.g. a mass grave). • A description of any such location by reference to its GPS coordinates so that investigators can find it later. 104 Documentation should be thorough and as detailed as possible. A voice recorder may enable unofficial investigators to describe the crime scene as it is being entered and explored. This recording can be played back later to create a transcript or handed over to professional investigators. Unofficial investigators should aim to record all relevant facts and details. For future purposes, these factual reports is the primary source to remember by. For the sake of conformity, many agencies, training facilities, and individuals have adopted conventions to describe certain objects. For example, CYMBAL is an abbreviated method of uniformly describing vehicles (Color, Year, Make, Body and License). “Head to Toe” is a method of describing individuals. This involves recording generic information, race, 104 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, CRIME SCENE AND PHYSICAL EVIDENCE AWARENESS FOR NON-FORENSIC PERSONNEL, 12 (2009) available at http://www.unodc.org/documents/scientific/Crime_scene_awareness__Ebook.pdf. 81