ABSTRACT
Once the investigative team takes control of the scene, the true task of assessment begins. This assessment considers a number of logistical and technical aspects of scene processing. These considerations will ultimately define the actions of the crime scene team as well as identify additional resources that may be necessary. The team must complete this assessment before initiating any direct scene processing and after receiving a debriefing by the initial responding officer. If the investigative team fails to address these issues or fails to seek out the initial responding officer and simply starts processing, in all likelihood evidence and information will be lost, and personnel may be exposed to undue hazards.
