Which one of the following is the first duty of a police officer at a

Which one of the following is the first duty of a police officer at a scene of crime ?

To preserve the scene of crime
Photograph the scene of crime
Start collecting physical evidence
Make a sketch of the scene of crime
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2018
The absolute first duty of a police officer upon arriving at a scene of crime is to preserve the scene. This involves securing the area to prevent unauthorized access, contamination, or alteration by bystanders, witnesses, or even other emergency personnel. Preservation ensures the integrity of potential evidence before it is documented, collected, and analyzed.
Preserving the scene of crime is paramount as it protects the physical evidence from being disturbed or destroyed, which is essential for a proper investigation.
Once the scene is secured, subsequent steps in crime scene management include documenting the scene (photographing, sketching, video recording), searching for evidence, collecting and preserving evidence, and conducting a final survey. Each step must be conducted meticulously to maintain the chain of custody and ensure evidence is admissible in court.