In a coordinated approach of the crime scene, several specialists are attending the crime scene, each with their specific role and responsibility. The exact titles, roles and responsibilities may vary per country.

First officer attending

action of the first officer attending the crime scene is crucial to its subsequent successful examination and the recovery of all available evidence. It is therefore essential that all officers are aware of the importance of scene preservation and the actions they need to take to ensure that any subsequent scene examinations are not compromised. The first officer attending is responsible for all initial measures at the scene of a crime.

A summary of their responsibilities is provided in the table below.

• Primary function: Preservation of life
• Considering and recording contamination risks
• Taking notes of the names of all persons at the scene

• Identifying the extent of the scene and setting cordons
• Preventing access by any other persons
• Protecting the scene if there is a likelihood of a loss or damage to evidence by adverse weather, etc.

• Inform control of the full situation
• Request specialist support and a supervisor

• Recording of all persons, police and other agencies from outside the cordon, together with vehicles attending the scene. Date and time of arrival and departure, and reason for visit are recorded as well.
• Recording of any initial actions taken to preserve the integrity of evidence.

First police supervisor

The first police supervisor is usually the highest-ranking officer present at the scene. The responsibilities of this person are summarized in the table below.

• The actions mentioned in the previous paragraph, allocated to the first attending officer, have to be completed

• It is better that cordons are set too large than too small: they can always be reduced later.

• Where there is a likelihood that physical evidence may be damaged or destroyed by weather conditions or other means, undertake appropriate emergency preservation.

• A rendezvous point should be established at the outer cordon
• The rendezvous point should be communicated to all staff so that they can report to the officer responsible for the Crime Scene Entry Logon arrival at the scene.

Crime Scene Examiner

Following the actions taken by the first officer and supervisor at the scene, a Scene of Crime Examiner (SCE) will attend and make an early assessment, taking any actions necessary to further preserve the scene prior to starting the examination. In the case of serious and major crime the SCE may wait for the

Related Content

• Best Practice Manual for Scene of Crime Examination, European Network of Forensic Science Institutes
• Crime Scene Procedures, Indiana State Police
• Basic Stages for a Crime Scene Investigation - Possible Homicide, Don Penven