ERMELO – Highvelder received a request from the local SAPS to run an article on crime scenes, and how bystanders and those who arrive there first need to preserve their integrity.
A crime scene is frequently referred to by the police as ‘holy ground’, according to Captain Carla Prinsloo, Ermelo SAPS’s spokesperson.
According to her, any location where a crime has been committed, is deemed a crime scene. It also includes the area surrounding the immediate crime scene, and can cover a large area.
On this ground, investigators gather evidence to prove that a crime was committed, to identify the criminals and to link them to the crime scene.
Criminals usually take a specific path to go to and from the scene of a crime. This route forms part of the crime scene and is one area where the criminals came into direct contact with the crime scene.
“When the police arrive at the scene, they do not know all the facts of the case. The occupants of the home or those who were affected by the crime can therefore better identify the ground and point out aspects, such as the routes the criminals had used.”
She indicated that the following could be helpful to the police to preserve the integrity of the scene:
- Limit your movement on the crime scene
- Avoid contact with visible evidence
- Leave the scene undisturbed
- Don’t move around on the scene to establish what damage or losses were incurred
- Don’t touch or move any items on the scene, for example, furniture, clothes or food. Don’t even use the phone – use the neighbours’ instead.
- Leave the crime scene, but be available for questioning by the police
- Use an alternative route, not the ones used by the criminals
- Lock the premises, if possible.
Read the complete article in Highvelder
