“The provision of security patrols as well as controlling crime scenes identified during a patrol is a responsibility not only expected of us by business; it is an expectation of society that we carry out these functions and carry them out in a professional manner”
As the guard on the spot, it will often be up to you to undertake a preliminary investigation which will assist Police or Agency investigators in their overall investigation into any crime or security incident.
You must determine the boundaries of the crime scene, which will require an initial investigation. A premature definition of the crime scene may cause loss or destruction of evidence outside the established area defined as the crime scene.
Use your senses to determine the boundary of any crime or security incident scene.
Yours eyes can notice the obvious evidence, including evidence of entry points or exit points but you must also identify other physical evidence that may appear to be out of place or just shouldn’t be at the scene.
Your ears can identify unusual noises or sounds that do not belong at the scene (it could be someone running away from the scene or machinery running that would not normally be operating).
Use your sense of smell to determine unusual odours that do not normally belong at the scene of the crime scene. Is there a small of gas, alcohol, petrol or other odours?
Once the crime or security incident scene has been established it must be protected. This can be accomplished by the observance of the following three rules:
1.
Protect
2.
Preserve
3.
Make Notes
Protect the Scene
The first priority once you are on the scene is to prevent unauthorised access to the crime scene area.
This means that all personnel, bystanders and anyone else who happened to be in the area to stop to look, be prevented from entering the crime scene area.
Ask all personnel in the area if they know anything about the crime then direct all unauthorised personnel to leave the area and remain outside the area until told to return by Police.
Ensure that witnesses or persons of interest must be asked to remain in the vicinity, outside the crime scene to await Police interview.
Preserve the Scene
Preserve the scene exactly as it was first discovered. Nothing must be moved, removed or altered in any way; and no evidence, real or suspect, may be added to the scene. This merely confuses the scene for qualified experts who must, from the evidence, reconstruct the crime.
Complete crime scene protection will enhance the security guards’ image and greatly improve crime solution potential.
The best way to achieve this is to keep your hands to yourself.
Making Notes
In the initial stages of protecting a crime scene, there is normally a certain amount of confusion. It is important that the guard realize that time is vital and that many details he/she has seen will quickly be forgotten unless committed to a notebook.
The moment the guard arrives, he/she should commit important information to their notebook. The date/time of arrival, the date/time of occurrence, who was present on arrival and what happened. Also, who initiated the call in the first place and all other pertinent information pertaining to the crime scene.
As soon as possible after arriving at the scene, the guard should attempt to reconstruct, in their mind, the crime scene to be protected. This reconstruction may lead to further evidence that was not readily apparent upon arrival or after an initial search of the area. In some instances, a small sketch in the notebook showing the scene as it was found can be of great value for future reference.
Ensure that your notes are accurate and complete. They may prove to be invaluable as the investigation progresses.
By using all of your senses, your intellect and keen observation skills, recording and noting everything that you see, smell, hear and feel, you will be not only assisting investigators but also enhancing your own reputation as being a credible person to be entrusted in the important role of protecting and preserving crime scenes and security incident scenes.
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