But on the other hand, you know how when you see crime scene photos with shell casings how they have little numbered placards next to them? If I were a juror would I conclude they tampered with the crime scene by adding those? No, not unless the coroner concluded the victim died as a result of injuries from placards.
Very good point. I looked into crime scene procedures a little and from what I've read, putting cover sheets on paper documents is standard practice. In general, this is how it goes (different agencies might have variations specific to their needs):
The cover sheet includes a summary of the documents. Even if it's just blank computer paper, they put a cover sheet on it and have a summary like "Blank computer paper". Then there are case numbers, and they give the documents file numbers. They put the date, and location, and the people working on the scene. Then the person doing the cataloging and the person in charge of the scene sign off on it, swearing that it's true. This established chain of custody. Then when they're done cataloging the scene, they move everything to their offices where the documents are scanned into digital files and then the originals are filed away until they're needed again, which is usually at trial.
Sometimes I wonder what the "cover sheets are BS" people think happens with all these documents that are being investigated. Do they think the feds just toss everything into a big box, and just pick out pages at random? That they have someone who just reads through all the documents in order to find the right one every time a specific file is needed?
Very good point. I looked into crime scene procedures a little and from what I've read, putting cover sheets on paper documents is standard practice. In general, this is how it goes (different agencies might have variations specific to their needs):
The cover sheet includes a summary of the documents. Even if it's just blank computer paper, they put a cover sheet on it and have a summary like "Blank computer paper". Then there are case numbers, and they give the documents file numbers. They put the date, and location, and the people working on the scene. Then the person doing the cataloging and the person in charge of the scene sign off on it, swearing that it's true. This established chain of custody. Then when they're done cataloging the scene, they move everything to their offices where the documents are scanned into digital files and then the originals are filed away until they're needed again, which is usually at trial.
Sometimes I wonder what the "cover sheets are BS" people think happens with all these documents that are being investigated. Do they think the feds just toss everything into a big box, and just pick out pages at random? That they have someone who just reads through all the documents in order to find the right one every time a specific file is needed?