Crime scene

Code of police practice:
A guide for first line officers

The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police

Table of contents

General policing skills

Crime scene

Police officers have many roles at a crime scene. Consider the following guidelines for the various police responsibilities:

		Going to a crime
		Observing a crime
		First at the scene
		Serious injury or death
		Assessing and responding to the scene
		Securing the perimeter
		Securing the evidence
		Discussing the case
		Investigating

Going to a crime (Crime scene)

When the dispatcher notifies you of a crime scene:
- record the time and subject of the call
- record who made the call and what was said
- record the dispatcher's name or number
Watch for fleeing vehicles, suspects, and witnesses while driving to the scene.
Record your route to the scene and the time you arrive.
Park your vehicle away from the scene and the evidence.
Notify the dispatcher when you arrive.

Observing a crime (Crime scene)

Do the following when you see a crime or when the public tells you of one.

First at the scene (Crime scene)

Take time to compose yourself.
Assess the situation.
Take control of the situation. Let people at the scene know that the police are in charge.
Notify the dispatcher about the situation.
Make the scene safe.
Give first aid.
Secure the scene.
Preserve the evidence.
Investigate or wait for special units to investigate.

Serious injury or death (Crime scene)

Do not move seriously injured people except to protect them from further injury.
Give first aid as required.
Do not assume death unless:
- the body is decomposing
- the body is in rigor mortis
- the trunk is severed
- the head is off
Call the ambulance/coroner.
One officer goes with the victim/body to record statements and maintain continuity of the victim/body and clothing.
Record significant events:
- pronouncing death
- notifying next of kin

Assessing and responding to the scene (Crime scene)

Enter the scene carefully:
- search for victims, suspects, and weapons
- keep to a restricted path within the scene
- record your route through the scene
Describe the scene upon your arrival.
Gather preliminary information:
- names, addresses and telephone numbers of people at the scene
- what they were doing before you arrived
- the identity of suspects, if known
If needed, ask the dispatcher for help from:
- emergency services
- medical examiner or coroner
- more officers for the victims, the suspects, or securing the scene
- supervisor or special units

Securing the perimeter (Crime scene)

Define the crime scene using:
- yellow tape barricades
- traffic cones
- rope
- police vehicles
Isolate a large enough area to prevent loss of evidence.
Mark areas of possible evidence for protection.
Identify the witnesses and remove them from the scene.
Show other personnel where not to park.
Permit only essential personnel inside the scene.
Record arrivals and departures from the scene.
Never leave point duty until you are relieved.
Record the name of the relieving officer and the time.

Securing the evidence (Crime scene)

Cover the dead with a clean emergency blanket.
Cover outdoor evidence with boxes, tarps, or blankets.
Do not touch or remove evidence unless:
- it is short-lived
- it might be removed by onlookers
- it might be damaged by weather
Record evidence that was collected, from where, when, and why.
Avoid using toilets, sinks, and telephones at the scene. If unavoidable, record that you used them.
Do not leave your garbage at the scene.
Record anything you changed at the scene.

Discussing the case (Crime scene)

Taking control of the crime scene has priority over discussing the case with the media/public.

Refer media inquiries to an appointed spokesperson.
Let the media know that someone will answer their questions as soon as possible.
Do not discuss the case with the media/public except to investigate it.