Which of the following is NOT a recommended practice for crime scene notes?

• A. Chronological order.
• B. Written in ink.
• C. Legible and accurate.
• D. Written in pencil.

Answer: (D)

Notes from a crime scene must be permanent, reliable records that accurately reflect what was observed and when. Writing in ink achieves durability and makes tampering evident, which helps preserve the integrity of the documentation and its admissibility in court. Keeping notes in chronological order allows reconstructing the sequence of events and observations, which is essential for understanding how the scene unfolded. Being legible and accurate ensures that others—colleagues, forensic analysts, and prosecutors—can interpret and rely on the observations later. Writing in pencil, however, can be erased or smudged, introducing the possibility of alteration and making the record less trustworthy. For these reasons, pencil is not a recommended practice.