What factors must be considered when determining the size of a crime scene?

Determining the size of a crime scene involves careful consideration of the items touched or disturbed by both the suspect and the victim's activities. This is critical because these interactions can significantly influence the physical evidence present at the scene. For instance, items that were manipulated or moved can indicate the sequence of events, provide insight into the motivations of the individuals involved, and help in identifying potential witnesses or suspects.

Understanding the areas where both the suspect and the victim were active allows investigators to delineate the crime scene accurately and ensure that all relevant evidence is collected. This may include tracking the paths taken or identifying specific zones where key actions occurred, which are essential for reconstructing the incident. Other factors, although they can be important in other contexts, do not directly address the evidence connections relevant to the activities of the suspect and victim.