Do you understand how to manage a crime scene or accident? Do you know what is needed for the Incident Report?
Give us a few minutes of your valuable time and learn something that can save a life!
We as the Community of Crime Busters RSA, need to assist the police by making sure we do not destroy any evidence that SAPS may need in solving the crime or dealing with the accident.
What should you do when you arrive at the scene of a crime or accident?
1. Report the accident or incident
2. Approach the scene carefully. Make sure you and your team members are safe.
3. In a situation where a weapon is used, make sure that the person with the weapon is under control and cannot use the weapon to hurt anybody.
4. Secure the area so that evidence is not destroyed. Use cones, ropes or barriers to stop people from walking on a scene. Limit your movement aswell.
5. Avoid contact with visible evidence, as it should not be contaminated.
6. If there is an injury, try not move a person, unless they are in danger. If you need to help them, you should be careful not to move or destroy any evidence. If possible only one person should help. If the injury is serious call for medical help eg. Ambulance services.
7. If the person is seriously injured and might be dying, try to get them to tell you what happened.
8. Do not move a body unless it is in danger of being damaged eg. In a fire.
9. If there are any witnesses, ask them to wait with a team member away from the crime scene. Keep bystanders away from the scene, and from the witnesses.
10. If someone does not listen to you, video record it and note what was done and touched on scene for possible contamination.
11. You can comfort the persons involved in the trauma, but do not ask them questions or give them information. They need to wait for the police.
12. If someone needs first aid assistance and you are trained to assist, you should do so. Remember to wear gloves at all times for your own protection and to avoid contaminating the crime scene.
13. Follow the instructions of the police when they arrive. You will play a supporting role when SAPS start with their investigations. They may need to ask you questions so it is important that you keep note of the following: what you saw when you arrived, what you did and whether you moved anything or anyone.
14. You must try to remember as much detail as possible as this may help solve a crime.
15. Stay at the scene until SAPS allows you to leave.
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