What are the basic steps to preserve a crime scene?

• A. Move evidence to a warehouse immediately.
• B. Stop the incident and secure the area, preserve life, limit access, document entry/exit, photograph/video, collect and package evidence, label and seal, maintain chain of custody.
• C. Make phone calls, take notes, and leave.
• D. Destroy contaminated items.

Answer: (B)

Preserving a crime scene means acting to protect people and maintain the integrity of evidence for investigators. The best approach starts with stopping the incident and securing the area to prevent further harm or contamination, while preserving life. Limit access to authorized personnel, and document everyone who enters and leaves. Then photograph and video the scene to create an objective record of its condition and any evidence. Collect and package evidence carefully, label and seal each item, and maintain an unbroken chain of custody so that every handler is documented. This sequence keeps the scene as close as possible to its original state and ensures evidence is admissible in court. Moving evidence off-site immediately would break the chain of custody; making phone calls and leaving would abandon the scene; destroying contaminated items would erase evidence and could be illegal.