INTERPOL HANDBOOK ON DNA DATA EXCHANGE AND PRACTICE

•first attending officerCrime Scene PreservationThe first officer should:1. Find out when the CSI will arrive and inform the individual concerned.2. Take care not to contaminate the scene.3. Gather as much information as possible from the victim(s) or witness(es) withoutdisrupting potential evidence.4. Consider health and safety risks and ensure the victim and other personnel are notplaced at risk from body fluids, broken glass, sharp objects, damaged electrics, poorlighting conditions, leaking gas or agitated victims, witnesses or suspects, etc.5. Remember this does not affect an officer’s first responsibility to preserve life.Personal Protection Guidelines• All body fluids should be regarded as potentially infective.• Cover any cuts or grazes on hands with waterproof dressings and gloves.• Wash hands often, especially when beginning or ending a new task, before break ormeal times, before smoking, and at the beginning and end of duty periods.It is recommended that CSIs should always attend if the first officer in attendancedetermines that the crime involves:• Violence, robbery, or a crime of a sexual nature.• The burglary of a dwelling, including distraction type burglary offences when thevictims are vulnerable.• Any other offence where there is visible physical material to be recovered, forexample:• glass is broken• window has been opened by an offender• a door has been forced/removed• items have clearly been handled/moved• footwear marks are present and visible• body fluids are evident• hair samples are present• part eaten food/cigarettes butts or drink cans are evident• any other alien material has been brought to the scene by the offender• It is desirable for the officer first attending and the CSI to speak to one another bytelephone if circumstances allow.PAGE 20DNA SAMPLINGAND EVIDENCE COLLECTION