What is the aim of a crime scene search?

The primary aim of a crime scene search is to preserve and recognize physical evidence. This focus is crucial because physical evidence is the foundation upon which investigations are built, and its preservation is essential for ensuring it remains intact and uncontaminated. Recognizing evidence involves identifying relevant items at the scene that could provide critical information regarding the crime, such as fingerprints, blood, DNA, and other trace materials.

Preservation is about maintaining the integrity of the evidence for future analysis and legal proceedings. If the evidence is not preserved properly, it could lead to contamination or loss, ultimately jeopardizing the investigation and any potential prosecution. Collecting evidence (which is a part of the search process) follows after it has been recognized and documented, but the primary aim is to ensure that the physical evidence is properly managed from the outset. This is why the focus of the crime scene search is on the preservation and recognition of evidence rather than other tasks, such as identifying eyewitnesses or apprehending suspects immediately.