o
Unnecessary walking about.
Particular precautions must be taken to avoid
walking in areas that are likely to bear the impressions of footprints or
tire tracks.
o
Moving items or disturbing the bodies of deceased persons.
o
Touching items or surfaces that are likely to yield latent fingerprints.
o
Any items from being removed from the scene. This includes moving bodies of
deceased persons after they have been pronounced dead by a medical doctor
unless the crime scene investigator in charge of the search gives specific
permission.
The scene of any crime is itself evidence.
The testimony of a trained MP
concerning observations and findings at an unchanged crime scene is vitally
important to the successful clearance of the case.
Improper protection of the
crime scene will usually result in the contamination, loss, or unnecessary movement
of physical evidence.
The actual scene of the crime is the place from which many investigative leads
emanate.
It provides the crime scene investigator with a starting point for the
search for the offender.
Plus, it yields important clues for crime laboratory
examiners who may evaluate the evidence. Therefore, the first MP to arrive at the
scene of the crime should automatically secure the crime scene from unauthorized
intrusions.
MP Duties.
The first responsibility of the MP must be to cooperate with
investigators, laboratory examiners, and other specialists who may later search and
process information.
The military police who secured the scene should make all
their information immediately available to any investigators who subsequently
arrive to take charge of the investigation or to conduct a crime scene search.
Details are important. For example, if an item was touched or moved by the MP who
secured the scene, that fact should be made known to the investigators or
laboratory examiners.
It
is possible that the crime scene will undergo some physical change as the result
of
weather or some other action after the arrival of the MP who secured the scene.
If
so, the MP who arrived first should pass on their observations of such changes
to
arriving investigators.
Search the Crime Scene
A competent search of a crime scene demands specialized training and an
understanding of basic procedures. It also demands an appreciation of the "why" of
certain actions and close attention to detail when carrying them out.
The
investigator must deal with certain basic guidelines and procedures that help avoid
oversight. He must also ensure thoroughness of the search. The investigator must
also comply with both the legal and scientific requirements for the use of physical
evidence.
MP2004
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