ABSTRACT
As a scene, the corpse is approached in a similar fashion as any crime scene. us the technician must assess, observe, document, search, collect, and analyze it. Assessment begins on arrival. Recall that lifesaving always takes precedence over evidence integrity issues. Initial responding o”cers typically have evaluated the body prior to arrival of the crime scene team, but the technician has a responsibility to verify death. e manner in which this is accomplished is generally less hectic than actions taken by the initial responding o”cer, so the technician (unless acting as the initial responder) must approach the body in a fashion that causes no further damage to evidence in the scene or on the body itself. Movement to the body is generally accomplished using a point-to-point approach, using a pathway that is generally clear of evidence. In deciding upon what path to use, whenever possible the technician should consider and avoid likely ingress and egress paths by the perpetrator(s).
