Which of the following are the main principles of establishing a crime scene?

• A. Preserve, create a crime scene log, separate victims and witnesses.
• B. Destroy evidence after collection.
• C. Move all evidence to a central location.
• D. Ignore witness statements.

Answer: (A)

When establishing a crime scene, the main principles are to preserve any potential evidence, create a detailed log of all actions taken, and separate victims and witnesses to prevent contamination or influence on testimony. Preserving evidence helps keep it in its original condition so it can be analyzed accurately later. A crime scene log records every action, who handled what, and when, which supports a clear chain of custody and keeps the investigation trustworthy in court. Separating victims and witnesses reduces the risk that statements become tainted by discussion or pressure, ensuring each account is as independent and reliable as possible.

Destruction of evidence, moving all items to a central location, or ignoring witness statements would undermine the investigation and can compromise the integrity and usefulness of the collected information.