According to law enforcement best practices, what should be the first step in evidence collection?

The first step in evidence collection is to secure the scene. This ensures that the area where the incident occurred is protected from contamination or disruption, preserving the integrity of the evidence. By securing the scene, law enforcement prevents unauthorized access, which can lead to potential loss or alteration of crucial evidence. This step is vital because it establishes a controlled environment for further investigation, allowing for more reliable collection and documentation of evidence without interference.

Once the scene is secured, law enforcement can effectively move on to other important steps like taking photographs, marking evidence, and interviewing witnesses. However, these subsequent actions depend heavily on the initial security of the scene to ensure that the evidence remains intact and usable in legal proceedings.