What is the best practice regarding the collection of evidence at a crime scene?

The best practice regarding the collection of evidence at a crime scene involves collecting small, easy-to-collect items first. This approach ensures that potentially critical evidence, which may be overlooked if larger items are prioritized, is secured early on. Smaller items can be more fragile and may be susceptible to loss, contamination, or degradation if they are not collected promptly.

By starting with the small items, officers can also ensure that the overall process remains organized and methodical, preventing any accidental disruption of the scene as larger items are handled later. This methodical approach helps maintain the integrity of the crime scene, ensuring that the chain of custody is preserved and that all relevant evidence is collected effectively.

Collecting larger items first could lead to unnecessary disturbance of the area, potentially causing smaller evidence to be overlooked or damaged. Focusing solely on items of great personal value risks neglecting other pieces of evidence that may be crucial for the investigation. Ignoring items that are not visibly present disregards the possibility of hidden evidence, such as trace materials or biological evidence, which require careful searching and consideration in the investigative process.