Which one of the following is the first duty of a police officer at a scene of crime ?
[amp_mcq option1=”To preserve the scene of crime” option2=”Photograph the scene of crime” option3=”Start collecting physical evidence” option4=”Make a sketch of the scene of crime” correct=”option1″]
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.