Crime Scene & Evidence Preservation for Responders

Crime Scene & Evidence Preservation for Responders teaches search and rescue personnel, K9 teams, and first-in responders how to operate when a crime scene is discovered during a search. You will learn how to protect the scene, document evidence, maintain chain of custody, and support law enforcement without compromising the investigation.

Real missions often start as “missing person” calls and suddenly become crime scenes. When that happens, how you act in the first few minutes determines whether the scene is protected or destroyed.

In this course you will learn how to:

• Identify when a scene may involve criminal activity

• Safely approach, assess, and secure the scene without contaminating evidence

• Document everything through sketches, notes, photographs, and measurements

• Collect and package evidence only when legally permitted

• Maintain chain of custody for any item you handle or transfer

• Interact with family, bystanders, or potential suspects while protecting the scene

• Support law enforcement with professional reports and testimony

You will walk away able to:

• respond to a known or suspected crime scene

• preserve evidence and scene integrity

• document what you saw and what actions were taken

• assist authorities in building or disproving a case

Outcome: You become an asset to investigators – not a liability.

** NOTE:  This course is a prerequisite before enrolling in the Tracking and Clue Awareness course.