NEW ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT - New Albany, Ohio

NEW ALBANY POLICE DEPARTMENT
Directive 14.1 - Crime Scene/Investigative Procedures
14.1.1 Guidelines and Procedures
Preservation of a crime scene is the primary responsibility of the first officer arriving at a crime
scene. Other responsibilities can include evidence collection and providing other assistance. It is
important to note that it may be necessary to secure a search warrant at a crime scene before
evidence is collected.
A. Responding Officer’s Responsibility
Upon arrival at a crime scene, the first responsibility of the responding officer is to
determine if any person at the scene requires medical assistance and notify the Dispatch
Center to initiate the appropriate EMS response, if necessary. The officer should request
additional officers for assistance, if necessary, and begin the process of securing the
crime scene by:
Identifying all persons within the crime scene and documenting their identity.
Notifying the immediate supervisor as soon as possible to inform him/her of the
nature of the crime scene and any equipment that needs to be sent to the crime
scene.
Escorting all persons whose presence is not necessary outside of the crime
scene area.
Placing tape around the entire crime scene area to ensure that it is secure and
taking appropriate steps to ensure that no unauthorized persons or personnel
enter the scene.
B. Arriving Supervisor’s Responsibility
Upon arrival, the supervisor shall determine that all preliminary steps have been taken to
ensure the integrity of the crime scene. Once the supervisor has been briefed by the
responding officer(s), he/she should establish command of the crime scene and advise
the Dispatch Center of such.
The supervisor shall create a point of entry into the crime scene and post an officer at this
location.
This officer is responsible for restricting access to the crime scene and allowing
entry to only those persons that the crime scene commander authorizes. All
entering/exiting personnel shall be documented on a Crime Scene Personnel Log
(PD-99-160) (see Addendum A). The officer shall be responsible for maintaining
the log until relieved by the crime scene commander.
If the crime scene commander determines that he/she will remain responsible for
the scene, he/she should begin the necessary steps in collecting evidence.
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