ABSTRACT
The primary responsibility lies with the crime scene examiner (CSE) to decide what to collect at the scene. This evidence recognition cognitive skill is central to the effective, as well as the efficient, processing of a crime scene. It is simply neither desirable nor practical to collect everything at a scene. Hairs may also be collected from persons and here the standard emphasises that such examinations should be carried out with appropriate consideration for the dignity and well-being of the person involved. There will normally be jurisdictional legal requirements relating to the collection of hairs from persons that may determine who can collect hairs and under what circumstances. The CSE must decide to collect hairs at the scene or to leave hairs on items and to collect the item for subsequent laboratory examination.
