Crime Scene Preservation on a Licensed Premises
Preserving a crime scene on a licensed premises is crucial for ensuring that evidence is not contaminated or destroyed, which is essential for the investigation process. Licensing Professionals have detailed the key steps for preserving a crime scene on a licensed premises:
1. Ensure Immediate Safety
Call Emergency Services: Immediately contact the police (999 or 112) and, if necessary, medical services. Inform them of the incident and request their presence.
Secure the Area: If it’s safe to do so, remove any patrons and staff from the immediate area of the crime scene. Ensure that the scene is safe for everyone, addressing any immediate threats such as fires, ongoing violence, or other hazards.
2. Restrict Access
Cordon Off the Area: Use barriers, signs, or tape to cordon off the crime scene area. This prevents people from entering and potentially contaminating the evidence.
Control Entry and Exit: Limit access to the crime scene to essential personnel only (e.g., first responders). Keep a log of everyone who enters and exits the area, including their reasons for doing so.
Preserve Evidence: Ensure that nothing is moved, touched, or tampered with. This includes ensuring that any objects, substances, or materials remain exactly where they were found until the police arrive.
3. Protect Physical Evidence
Avoid Cleaning Up: Do not attempt to clean up any blood, broken glass, or other potential evidence. Even well-intentioned actions like wiping surfaces can destroy crucial forensic evidence.
Cover Perishable Evidence: If weather or other environmental factors threaten to degrade evidence (e.g., bloodstains outside), cover it with a clean, non-contaminating item like a plastic sheet or tarp, without touching the evidence itself.
Preserve CCTV Footage: If the premises has CCTV, ensure that the footage from all relevant cameras is preserved. Do not tamper with or delete any recordings, as this could be critical to the investigation.
4. Witness Management
Identify Witnesses: Identify any witnesses to the crime and ask them to remain on the premises until the police arrive. If they need to leave, get their contact details for follow-up.
Separate Witnesses: If possible, keep witnesses apart to prevent them from discussing the incident with each other, which could lead to contamination of their memories or statements.
Record Observations: Encourage witnesses to write down their observations as soon as possible to ensure their memories are as accurate as possible.
5. Communication with Authorities
Provide a Briefing: When the police arrive, provide them with a briefing on what happened, including any actions taken to preserve the scene, and hand over any records or logs kept during the incident.
Cooperate Fully: Be prepared to provide information and support the police in their investigation. Follow any instructions they give regarding the preservation of evidence.
6. Document the Scene
Record Initial Observations: If you are the first to respond to the scene, make a note of the time, date, and any relevant observations (e.g., positions of objects, condition of the area).
Take Photos (if appropriate): If the police have not yet arrived and it is safe to do so, consider taking photos or video of the crime scene from different angles. However, this should only be done if you are certain it will not disturb the scene.
7. Minimize Staff and Patron Impact
Communicate Clearly: Inform staff and patrons about the situation and ensure they know to stay away from the crime scene. Provide clear instructions to maintain calm and order.
Continue Business Operations: If possible, keep other areas of the premises operational, but ensure that any activity does not interfere with the crime scene.
8. After Police Arrival
Follow Instructions: After the police take control of the scene, follow their instructions and provide any additional information or assistance they request.
Debrief Staff: Once the situation is under control, debrief your staff about the incident, ensuring they understand the importance of the steps taken and their role in preserving the scene.
Crime Scene Preservation on a Licensed Premises- A Summary
Preserving a crime scene on a licensed premises is about minimizing contamination and ensuring that all potential evidence is available for investigation. Quick and decisive action, combined with clear communication and adherence to proper protocols, will greatly assist law enforcement in their work.
Licensing Professionals provide training and advice for crime scene preservation. Our expert services will ensure that you remain legally compliant to the Licensing Act 2003 as well as any other regulations. Contact the Licensing Professionals today.
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