At what point does evidence preservation begin?

Evidence preservation begins upon arrival at the scene because this is the critical moment when law enforcement first interacts with the location of the incident. At this stage, officers are responsible for assessing the scene, ensuring that evidence is not contaminated, destroyed, or overlooked. The preservation of evidence involves a number of immediate actions: documenting the scene, establishing control, and taking measures to protect any potential evidence.

Ensuring that evidence remains intact from the very first moments at the scene is vital for maintaining its integrity for any subsequent investigation or legal proceedings. If evidence is improperly handled initially, it may render the evidence inadmissible in court or compromise the investigation. Hence, the actions taken as soon as authorities arrive at the scene are paramount in the entire evidence preservation process.