CRIME SCENE PRESERVATION

Importance of Preserving a Crime Scene

Importance of Preserving a Crime Scene

Introduction

A first officer attending a crime scene or incident has to perform a number of critical steps as part of the preliminary investigation. These steps include preserving life, assessing the scene, protecting evidence, managing people at the scene, summoning assistance, securing the scene, guarding the scene and recording a log in their notebook. Underpinning all these important steps, a first attending officer's primary consideration (after preserving life), should be to preserve the crime scene. Preserving the crime scene protects the integrity of the evidence and therefore the validity of the investigation. The truth can only deducted from factual information. Contaminated, moved or tampered evidence can pervert the course of justice.

Discussion

The steps that should be carried out by the first attending officer at a scene or incident are listed below. They do not necessarily need be carried out sequentially, the attending officer has the discretion to act according to the different circumstances he or she may face. However in following these steps, the first attending officer can ensure best practice is followed and important actions are not missed.

The first officer's initial priority on arrival at the scene or incident is to preserve lives, both of the victims as well as their own. Robbins, RK (1993) p19, explains that 'Early arrival can prevent ... further injury, or even loss of life'. This priority is reiterated in the NSW Police Service Handbook 'Crime Scenes' (2004), which begins their list of steps (for the first officer at the scene/incident) with the assessment of hazards, followed by a check for vital signs and then arranging for 'first aid for anyone'. As a result of this priority, It is permissible for the protection of life to occur at the expense of evidence. However, this must be recorded in the officer's notebook and investigators are to be notified.

On arrival at the scene, the first officer has to assess the scene. This includes, looking for occupational health and safety hazards, seeking persons of interest at the scene, appraising the size of the scene to be managed, searching for damage to property and determining the type of incident at hand (The Forensic Services Group 1999 p.29). In this way the officer can ascertain the appropriate actions to take in dealing with the crime scene. On examining the scene it is also good to check for the likely entry and exit points that may have been used by suspect. By understanding the location of these points, the officer can avoid contaminating likely evidence zones and can wisely set the perimeters and the preferred paths to be used.

If evidence within the perimeter is threatened, the first officer at the scene should take steps to protect it. Sometimes, the officer may be required to alter the scene, for example, covering a foot print with a cardboard box when rain is expected will prevent the mark from being washed ...