(b) Medium-range photographs establish a spatial relationship between items of evidence and their location in a crime scene. Photo markers identifying the individual items of evidence should be visible in these photographs (c) Close-up photographs visually establish the characteristics of individual pieces of evidence. They should include an initial photograph of the photo marker identifying the evidence and then subsequent photographs of the item of evidence. Close-up photographs should fill the frame of the photograph with the item of evidence and should include a scale. 3. Measurements 179. Measurements taken at the scene corroborate and elaborate on the spatial dimensions documented in the photographs. If resources allow, they can be generated through computer-aided design software and technology, such as laser scanners or theodolite systems, or can be hand-drawn. Such measurements and resulting diagrams should include, at a minimum, the name of the investigator taking the measurements, a case number, a date and time, measured dimensions, a north arrow and an index of the items of evidence located in the sketch via measurements taken at the scene. A scale and reference points are needed for measurements. 32 The Minnesota Protocol on the Investigation of Potentially Unlawful Death (2016) 4. Note-taking/data collection and compiling an inventory 180. Existing forms are available. Notes establish a written record by an individual death-scene examiner or forensic expert. Often, such notes are handwritten, adding to the credibility of the work by individualizing the record itself through the handwriting. The fact that such records are relatively difficult to falsify and/or manipulate subsequently also increases their credibility. 181. Notes should include, at a minimum, the name of the investigator, a date and time, and a chronological log of the activities conducted (such as search criteria, when the search was conducted, when and where photographs were taken, when and where measurements were taken, when and where evidence was collected and packaged, and what types of analysis were conducted). Notes should include an inventory and a detailed description of items of evidence, identified with their corresponding photo markers, and should be signed by the investigator carrying out the investigation or analysis. 182. These methodical scientific documentation techniques (i.e. photography, measurements and notes) should be included in any forensic documentation. This applies both at a crime scene and in the laboratory, for example when bloodstains on an article of clothing are being documented, or when a medical examiner is documenting a human body.