Does a rough drawing of a crime scene need to be accurate and to scale?

A rough drawing of a crime scene does not need to be accurate and to scale because the primary purpose of such a drawing is to provide a general representation of the scene and the positioning of evidence rather than precise measurements. These sketches are typically created quickly to capture important details while the scene is still fresh. They serve as a reference for later, more formal diagrams or maps that will be accurate and to scale, which are created as part of the investigation when a thorough analysis is required.

The rough sketch helps law enforcement officers remember crucial information about the layout of the crime scene, the location of evidence, and witness positions. While accuracy is critical in formal documentation, the initial rough drawings allow for flexibility in representing the scene as it was observed, accommodating the rapid nature of gathering evidence and information. This distinction is what makes the answer correct, emphasizing the informal and functional role of these sketches in the early stages of investigation.