From first attending officer, to investigative officer then SOCO (Q12)

Question 1

Initial action

Answer 1

Preserve life, scan for immediate risks (e.g. fire), call in additional back up if needed

Question 2

Initial assessment

Answer 2

Preserve the scene and avoid contaminating it:
Using cordons or scene guards. Establish a common approach path where we pave a pathway towards the crime scene that doesn’t compromise the evidence (e.g. separate way from the suspect breaking into the crime scene). Establish cold (outside cordon), warm (place to transition, e.g. where you put on the PPE, where exhibits are, access to tools, etc.) and hot (where you collect evidence from).

Question 3

Reconnaissance

Answer 3

Walk through the scene and gather information (e.g. witnesses, CTV)

Question 4

Preliminary reconstruction

Answer 4

Initial hypothesis and also discuss with other experts present

Question 5

Forensic strategy

Answer 5

Formal or informal plan - of the evidence, what should be cleared, what should be left, etc.
Have resources using people or equipment and plan how to use accordingly.
Review options and order of examination

Question 6

Scene examination

Answer 6

• Photograph and document scene
• carry out forensic examination
  - visual searching
  - carry out presumptive tests (e.g. COMBUR) on the scene
  - collect evidence
  - document the collected evidence properly (establish chain of custody)

As more information is shed, update reconstruction