What should an officer prioritize upon arriving at a crime scene?

Upon arriving at a crime scene, an officer's foremost priority should be to secure the scene to preserve evidence. This step is critical because preventing contamination or tampering with the evidence ensures that any findings can be used reliably in an investigation and court proceedings. By establishing a perimeter and controlling access to the scene, the officer protects physical evidence such as fingerprints, DNA, and other crucial items that may be present.

Securing the scene also allows for a systematic approach to gathering evidence later without disturbances that could occur from unauthorized individuals entering the area. This initial action is foundational to the investigative process; without a secure scene, the integrity of the entire case may be compromised. After securing the scene, the officer can then move on to documenting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and assessing the emotional state of the victims, all of which are important but follow the essential first step of scene security.