WHILE the police are doing their bit to curb crime in the area, according to the Malvern SAPS, it is in everybody’s interests to know what to do at a crime scene to ensure that the evidence remains untampered with.
“The first responder at the scene of crime has a protocol-filled task to secure and preserve the crime scene and the evidence therein. Crime scenes are cordoned for the preservation of evidence so that its integrity, handling, packaging and continuity of possession is not compromised in any way,” stated Corporate Communication Officer, W/O Radhika Marimuthu.
According to W/O Marimuthu, there are rules to be observed to protect the integrity of the evidence at the crime scene. “More often emotion can overcome a person at a sensational crime, hence people are cautioned to display respect to the first responder, the detectives and other integral role players at the crime scene. The area will be cordoned off by crime scene tapes, cones and police personnel standing off at the scene,” she said. This should be respected and seen by the public as a barrier from entering the crime scene and trampling the evidence. The police have an important role in controlling, identifying and removing people at the crime scene and limiting the number of people who enter the crime scene to protect its integrity.
“Contamination of a crime scene by trampling on and disturbing evidence, ruins evidence and jeopardises a criminal case. The public are cautioned to stay away from the boundaries of the crime scene tape, cones and other markers that mark off the crime scene. Trace evidence such as fibres, glass or paint can be easily compromised through unnecessary trampling of crime scenes,” explained Marimuthu. She added that police in a crime scene work on The Locard Principle, that every time a person makes contact with another person, place or thing, results in an exchange of physical materials. This serves as the very basis of preventing curious bystanders and onlookers from entering the crime scene.
“Apart from disturbing evidence, this results in new material being dragged in furthering the contamination. New material like DNA, fingerprints, footprints, hair, skin cells, blood, bodily fluids, pieces of clothing, fibres and more ravaging the crime scene heightens the task of the detectives and the first responder. With this in mind, where the public see physical
barriers and police personnel, we urge that this be respected and if you have a compelling reason to be at the crime scene stay a good distance out of these boundaries. Do not block the entry of police, paramedics and other integral role players at the scene,” said W/O Marimuthu.
