ABSTRACT
Many crime scenes have been ruined because police ocers themselves have contaminated the crime scene unintentionally, most likely because they were curious or careless. e role of the rst ocer on the scene is to determine if any victims are alive and in need of medical assistance. is could be a dicult situation even for the most seasoned ocer, as the rst instinct is to “go in there and help out.” e motto to “serve and protect” should be discretionary at a crime scene. Rushing into a crime scene can do more harm than good. Aer evaluating any medical emergencies or issues, it is imperative that the preliminary investigator set up an extensive perimeter that would encompass the entire crime scene before anything else.
