Crime Scene Integrity
Protection of the crime scene is essential to the protection of evidence. Safeguarding and preserving evidence is fundamental to the successful solution of a crime. Remember, while documenting evidence at the crime scene, to include descriptions of whether evidence was found wet or dry. An example of this documentation would include blood spatters.
The risk of contamination of any crime scene can be reduced by limiting incidental activity. It is important for all law enforcement personnel at the crime scene to make a conscious effort to refrain from smoking, eating, drinking, littering or any other actions which could compromise the crime scene. Because DNA evidence is more sensitive than other types of evidence, law enforcement personnel should be especially aware of their actions at the scene to prevent inadvertent contamination of evidence.
Some or all of the content on this page is excerpted from the online training courses What Every Law Enforcement Officer Should Know About DNA Evidence, developed under an award from the Office of Justice Programs' National Institute of Justice. See award product disclaimer.
