A Guide for General Crime Scene Investigation: Documenting and Evaluating the Scene
Once the investigator(s) in charge of the crime scene arrive, they should:
Conduct a scene assessment. The investigator(s) in charge should identify responsibilities, share preliminary information, and develop investigative plans in accordance with departmental policy and local, state, and federal laws.
The investigator(s) in charge should:
- Converse with the first responder(s) about observations and activities.
- Evaluate safety issues that may affect all personnel entering the
scene(s) (e.g., bloodborne pathogens and/or hazards). - Evaluate search and seizure issues to determine the necessity of obtaining consent to search and/or obtaining a search warrant.
- Evaluate and establish a path of entry/exit to the scene that can be utilized by authorized personnel.
- Evaluate initial scene boundaries.
- Determine the number/size of scene(s) and prioritize which should be investigated first.
- Establish a secure area within close proximity to the scene(s) for the purpose of consultation and equipment staging.
- If multiple scenes exist, establish and maintain communication with personnel at those locations.
- Establish a secure area for temporary evidence storage in accordance with rules of evidence/chain of custody.
- Request additional investigative resources as required (e.g., personnel/specialized units, legal consultation/prosecutors and/or equipment).
- Ensure continued scene integrity (e.g., document entry/exit of authorized personnel and prevent unauthorized access to the scene).
- Ensure that witnesses to the incident are identified and separated. Obtain valid ID.
- Ensure the surrounding area is canvassed and the results of this canvassing are documented.
- Ensure that the scene, injured persons and vehicles are documented and photographed.
Conduct a scene walkthrough and initial documentation. The investigator(s) in charge should conduct a walkthrough to identify threats to scene integrity and protect physical evidence. They should provide careful written and photo documentation.
During the scene walkthrough, the investigator(s) in charge should:
- Avoid contaminating the scene by using the established path of entry.
- Prepare preliminary documentation of the scene.
- Identify and protect fragile and/or perishable evidence (e.g., consider climate conditions, crowds and/or hostile environment).
- Ensure that all evidence that may be compromised is immediately documented, photographed and collected.
