The operations officer is responsible for supervising the protection of crime scenes. The actual search
for evidence is made by the MPI section or CID unit. MPs protect the crime scene until the investigators
arrive and during the investigation.
g. You must make sure the MPs know their duties at a crime scene. Make sure the crime scene
is secured. Unauthorized persons are not allowed in secured areas. Conditions at the crime scene are
important. Direct the MPs to record the time, date, and weather conditions. Make sure first aid and
medical care have been arranged for the injured. In moving the injured person(s), make sure the MPs
have ID data.
h. Direct the MPs to keep unauthorized persons from entering the crime scene. Make sure the
perimeter is far enough from the scene to allow the investigators to work undisturbed. The perimeter
should not be so distant that control becomes difficult, or normal traffic around the crime scene is
needlessly disrupted. You can direct the MPs to reroute traffic around the crime scene as needed.
i. It is important for the MPs to identify and record the names of all persons at the scene. This
includes witnesses, suspects, victims, and other police personnel. Witnesses, victims, and persons who
called the MPs should be separated into groups and questioned separately. Direct the MPs to separate
the groups far enough apart to prevent the victims from talking to the witnesses. It is important the
groups do not discuss the incident. Each person questioned should be far enough from the group so the
conversation cannot be heard.
j. You must provide directions for the MPs when the investigator arrives at the crime scene.
Make sure the investigator's ID has been verified, especially if you do not recognize him. The
investigator is then briefed on what the MPs have learned about the incident.
k. You can assist the MPs at the crime scene to preclude any senior ranking persons from
entering the scene. Tactfully explain the importance of protecting the crime scene and preserving
physical evidence. Senior persons are briefed on their need to know. A senior officer at the scene of a
housebreaking would not have a need to know the details of the crime; if it was not his house. However,
the senior officer in charge of a munitions storage site would need entry to assist in determining whether
any munitions were removed. If you are on the scene of a crime, you may be requested to assist the
investigator. Direct the actions of the MPs to assist in processing the crime scene. However, do not
become so involved in participating, that the overall supervision is lost.
l. Make sure the MPs are completing crime scene entries in their notebooks. Recording the
who, what, when, why, where, and how of the incident in notebooks will be helpful to the investigation.
Ensure the MPs assist as directed. Have them remain at the crime scene until released by the
investigator.
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MP2003
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