A Guide for General Crime Scene Investigation
This guide, is intended for use by law enforcement who have responsibility for protecting crime scenes, preserving physical evidence and collecting and submitting the evidence for scientific examination. The online guides are based on NIJ's previously published guides.
Follow Agency Policies!
Actions taken following these guides should be performed in accordance with department policies and procedures and federal
and state laws.
Jurisdictional, logistical or legal conditions may preclude the use of particular procedures contained herein.
The steps presented on these Web pages are a general guide to recommended practices for crime scene investigation. Step-by-step procedures presented include:
- Arriving at the crime scene.
- Documenting and evaluating the scene.
- Processing the scene.
- Completing and recording the crime scene investigation.
Special Circumstances — Investigating Specific Types of Crime Scenes
Some crime scenes require modified procedures when investigating. Learn more about investigating crime scenes where:
-
Call in Help!
For potentially dangerous situations, such as biological weapons or radiological or chemical threats, contact the appropriate agencies. - A death has occurred.
- There is electronic/digital evidence.
- An explosion, and possibly a bombing, has occurred.
- A fire, possible arson, has occurred.
