Probative Value and Prioritization

Law Enforcement Responsibilities at the Scene

All personnel responding to a crime scene are responsible for properly assessing the scene to establish what evidence exists and the best means to collect and protect that evidence. This includes:

• Securing the scene and limiting access
• Identifying existing evidence
• Identifying and protecting evidence
• Prioritizing evidence to be submitted to the laboratory
• Properly packaging and submitting evidence in accordance with agency and laboratory protocols
• Properly documenting the scene