What type of evidence should be prioritized during crime scene processing?

Prioritizing evidence that can easily deteriorate is crucial during crime scene processing for several reasons. Deteriorating evidence, such as biological materials, fluids, or certain types of drugs, can lose their integrity and become unusable if not collected and preserved quickly. This category of evidence often includes items that can decompose, evaporate, or otherwise change state due to environmental factors.

Forensic investigators focus on preserving this type of evidence first to ensure that it can be analyzed effectively later. This practice helps maintain the validity of the evidence in court and supports the overall integrity of the investigation. On the other hand, while testimonies and photographs also serve critical functions, they do not face the same immediate risk of degradation that deteriorating physical evidence does. Large items, while important, are generally manageable in terms of timing and processing unless they directly relate to the immediate integrity of the case. Thus, quickly securing and properly handling deteriorating evidence is a priority in crime scene investigations.