Which sequence best reflects proper crime scene response workflow?

• A. Begin with securing the scene, then safety, then documentation, then evidence collection.
• B. Start with interviewing witnesses, then secure the scene, then collect evidence, then document.
• C. Gather all press contacts first, then proceed.
• D. Start with safety, secure the scene, document, and collect evidence.

Answer: (D)

When responding to a crime scene, priorities must protect people first and preserve evidence. The first step is to address safety: check for hazards, render aid if needed, and ensure everyone involved is protected. Only after safety is secured should you establish a perimeter and control access to prevent contamination or disturbance of the scene. With safety and security in place, you can accurately document what you see before anything is moved or collected. Documentation—notes, photos, sketches, and a log of who enters and exits—captures the scene's condition and positions of items at the outset, creating a baseline that preserves integrity. After thorough documentation, you move to evidence collection, applying proper techniques to maintain the chain of custody and avoid altering the scene. Interviews with witnesses generally occur once safety and security are established, and while they may be conducted alongside documentation, they should not precede safety and securing the scene. The sequence that begins with safety, then securing the scene, followed by documentation, and then evidence collection best reflects the proper workflow.