A chalk outline is a temporary outline drawn on the ground outlining evidence at a crime scene. The outline provides context for photographs of the crime scene, and assists investigators in preserving the evidence. Modern investigators almost never use chalk or tape as outlines at a crime scene to avoid contaminating the evidence. Although rare in modern investigations, they have become a literary trope in popular culture.
A chalk outline, which was drawn around a person lying on the ground
Classically, white or bright yellow chalk is used, although some may use paint or white tape. In the case of a body, a chalk outline might be drawn immediately before the body is to be removed, but after the medical examiner has examined the body.[1]
Chalk outlines in practice were typically rough shapes of the body's position and did not include specific arms and leg orientation.[2]
History and modern useedit
While chalk outlines were occasionally used in the past, they often were drawn by the police for press photographers, not for investigative purposes. It allowed the press to take a picture and represent the scene without the gruesomeness of a body.
Some sources indicate that while not part of official procedure, some uninformed investigators may occasionally draw outlines, particularly in non-homicide accidents.[3] The term "chalk fairy" is occasionally used to describe an officer that makes the chalk outline, often without authorization and while unwittingly contaminating the scene.[1]
Numbered markers at a crime scene in Manhattan, New York City
While the use of chalk is uncommon, investigators may make smaller marks, or use removable flags, index cards, or even markers, to indicate important positions, particularly if other references are not available.[4]
In popular cultureedit
Chalk outlines of bodies are familiar tropes in popular culture. Often they are used in humorous ways depicting awkward positioning or meticulous precision, or portending a character's impending death by having them prematurely fall into a drawn outline. The Naked Gun series made extensive use of the prop, as have a number of other comedies.
More generally the term has become synonymous with tragic death and has been used in literature, music, and visual arts. Some author guides have listed the procedure as standard.[5]
Referencesedit
^ abJohn J. Miletich, Homicide Investigation: An Introduction, Scarecrow Press, 2003, 081084625X, pp. 84–85.
^See, e.g., Life, "'Clean-up Week' on Docks", May 18, 1953, p. 40. Image at [1].
^Cecil Adams (2001-04-13). "Do crime scene investigators really draw a chalk line around the body?". The Straight Dope. Retrieved 2013-04-29.
^. forensics4fiction. 2011-08-24. Archived from the original on 2013-11-09. Retrieved 2013-04-29.
^Anne Wingate, Scene of the crime: a writer's guide to crime-scene investigations, Writer's Digest Books, 1992, 0898795184, p. 15.
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chalk outline.
TV Tropes entry, including a list of incidences[spelling?]
Straight Dope column on chalk outlines
December 18, 2023
chalk, outline, song, three, days, grace, chalk, outline, song, chalk, outline, temporary, outline, drawn, ground, outlining, evidence, crime, scene, outline, provides, context, photographs, crime, scene, assists, investigators, preserving, evidence, modern, i. For the song by Three Days Grace see Chalk Outline song A chalk outline is a temporary outline drawn on the ground outlining evidence at a crime scene The outline provides context for photographs of the crime scene and assists investigators in preserving the evidence Modern investigators almost never use chalk or tape as outlines at a crime scene to avoid contaminating the evidence Although rare in modern investigations they have become a literary trope in popular culture A chalk outline which was drawn around a person lying on the ground Contents 1 Form 2 History and modern use 3 In popular culture 4 References 5 External linksForm editClassically white or bright yellow chalk is used although some may use paint or white tape In the case of a body a chalk outline might be drawn immediately before the body is to be removed but after the medical examiner has examined the body 1 Chalk outlines in practice were typically rough shapes of the body s position and did not include specific arms and leg orientation 2 History and modern use editWhile chalk outlines were occasionally used in the past they often were drawn by the police for press photographers not for investigative purposes It allowed the press to take a picture and represent the scene without the gruesomeness of a body Some sources indicate that while not part of official procedure some uninformed investigators may occasionally draw outlines particularly in non homicide accidents 3 The term chalk fairy is occasionally used to describe an officer that makes the chalk outline often without authorization and while unwittingly contaminating the scene 1 nbsp Numbered markers at a crime scene in Manhattan New York CityWhile the use of chalk is uncommon investigators may make smaller marks or use removable flags index cards or even markers to indicate important positions particularly if other references are not available 4 In popular culture editChalk outlines of bodies are familiar tropes in popular culture Often they are used in humorous ways depicting awkward positioning or meticulous precision or portending a character s impending death by having them prematurely fall into a drawn outline The Naked Gun series made extensive use of the prop as have a number of other comedies More generally the term has become synonymous with tragic death and has been used in literature music and visual arts Some author guides have listed the procedure as standard 5 References edit a b John J Miletich Homicide Investigation An Introduction Scarecrow Press 2003 081084625X pp 84 85 See e g Life Clean up Week on Docks May 18 1953 p 40 Image at 1 Cecil Adams 2001 04 13 Do crime scene investigators really draw a chalk line around the body The Straight Dope Retrieved 2013 04 29 Do CSIs Really Use Chalk Outlines forensics4fiction 2011 08 24 Archived from the original on 2013 11 09 Retrieved 2013 04 29 Anne Wingate Scene of the crime a writer s guide to crime scene investigations Writer s Digest Books 1992 0898795184 p 15 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chalk outline TV Tropes entry including a list of incidences spelling Straight Dope column on chalk outlines Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Chalk outline amp oldid 1152868593, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
