A chain of custody is essential to document the handling of evidence from the crime scene to the courtroom, ensuring its integrity and admissibility in legal proceedings.
Securing a crime scene ensures that evidence is preserved in its original state, preventing contamination or tampering which could compromise the investigation.
Detailed forensic analysis is usually performed later in the investigation process, often in a laboratory setting, while the initial crime scene investigation focuses on documenting and collecting evidence.
Allowing witnesses to speak freely helps gather more comprehensive and unbiased information, which is crucial for an accurate investigation.
Follow-up investigations are conducted to collect further evidence, verify initial findings, and ensure all aspects of the case are thoroughly examined before proceeding to prosecution.