Task: 191-376-5128 - Protect a Crime Scene

Conditions: While on duty and perIorming law enIorcement activities in a garrison environment, you are given military police gear
according to the local standing operating procedures (SOPs), a weapon, a military police vehicle equipped with emergency equipment,
and a situation where you have been dispatched to a crime scene.

Standards: Protect the crime scene by arriving, taking control, identiIying personnel at the scene, assessing any dangers present,
determining the need Ior medical attention, limiting access to the crime scene, and taking measures to preserve evidence so that it is
neither damaged nor destroyed.

Evaluation Preparation: Setup: Create a crime scene. Have additional personnel role-play the part oI victims, witnesses, and other
personnel. BrieI Soldier: Tell the Soldier to take action based on the situation given, perIorming all steps unless otherwise directed by
the evaluator. Explain to the Soldier that he/she is not the primary investigator. BrieI the role players on what actions they are to take.

Evaluation Guidance: Score the Soldier GO iI all measures are passed (P). Score the Soldier NO-GO iI any measure is Iailed (F). II
the Soldier Iails any measure, show him/her how to do it correctly.

Safety Notes: Everyone is responsible Ior saIety. A thorough risk assessment must be completed prior to every mission or operation.

Environment: Environmental protection is not just the law but the right thing to do. It is a continual process and starts with deliberate
planning. Always be alert to ways to protect our environment during training and missions. In doing so you will contribute to the
sustainment oI our training resources while protecting people and the environment Irom harmIul eIIects.
TASK STEPS AND PERFORMANCE MEASURES
Performance Steps:

1. Receive and veriIy the radio call to proceed to the crime scene.
a. Repeat the message to the personnel at the military police station to conIirm the location and type oI incident.
b. Record the location and the time the call was received and any other pertinent inIormation.
c. Proceed to the location by the most direct route.

d. NotiIy the military police oI your initial observations upon arrival at the location.
2. Approach the scene, noting dangers and initial observations.
a. Approach the scene cautiously, and scan the entire area by looking, listening, and smelling to thoroughly assess the scene Ior
any dangerous situations. II there is a dangerous situation detected, contact the military police desk sergeant Ior Iuther guidance.
\b NOTE: II any dangerous conditions exist such as gasoline leaks, natural gas leaks, hazardous material spills, or clandestine
drug labs, contact the military police desk sergeant to obtain Iurther guidance beIore proceeding.}
b. Look Ior signs oI any possible secondary crime scenes.
c. Note your initial observations.
d. Treat the location as a crime scene until it has been assessed and determined otherwise.
3. Take control oI the crime scene iI there are personnel present.
a. IdentiIy yourselI, clearly and distinctly, as a military police Soldier.
b. Protect the victim and evidence by selecting a route that minimizes the contamination oI evidence and ordering unauthorized
personnel to exit the scene through the selected route.
c. Collect identiIication (ID) cards Irom all persons on the scene, and order them to stay in the area.
\b NOTE: One oI the most important aspects oI securing the crime scene is to preserve the scene and minimize contamination
and disturbance oI physical evidence.}
4. Provide medical attention once you determine that the scene is saIe.
a. Assess the victim Ior signs oI liIe and medical needs and provide immediate medical attention.
b. Call Ior medical personnel.
c. Guide medical personnel to the victim to minimize contamination or alteration oI the crime scene.
d. Point out potential physical evidence to medical personnel, and instruct them to minimize contact with the evidence.
e. Obtain the name, unit, and telephone number oI attending personnel and the name and location oI the medical Iacility where
the victim is being taken.
f. Attempt to obtain a "dying declaration" iI there is a chance that the victim may die.
\b NOTE: II possible, a military police Soldier should accompany the victim or suspect to the medical Iacility to document any
comments made and preserve evidence. II this can't be done, advise the medical personnel to note any comments made and
preserve the evidence.}
5. Update the military police desk sergeant with
a. The condition oI any victims.
b. Details oI the crime you are aware oI.
c. Any personnel on-scene he/she may not be aware oI.
6. Secure the crime scene.
a. Establish the boundaries oI the scene and set up physical barriers to include ropes, cones, crime scene tape, vehicles, personnel,
or other equipment.
b. Restrict individuals' movement and activity to maintain saIety at the scene and prevent them Irom altering or destroying
physical evidence.
c. IdentiIy all the individuals at the scene, such as
(1) Suspects. Secure and separate suspects Irom one another.
(2) Witnesses. Secure and separate witnesses Irom one another to prevent collaboration in their stories.
(3) Bystanders. Determine iI bystanders are witnesses. II they are, treat them as stated above. II not, remove them Irom the scene.
(4) Family members and Iriends oI the victim. Control these individuals while showing compassion.
(5) Medical and other assisting personnel. Restrict movement and advise not to destroy evidence.
d. You must exclude unauthorized and nonessential personnel Irom the scene. This includes military police not working the case,
politicians, media, and commanders.
7. Protect the evidence.
a. Implement measures to protect evidence that may be lost or compromised due to the elements (rain, snow, heat, or wind) or
Iootsteps, tire tracks, and sprinklers.
b. Document or mark the original location oI the victim or objects that are being moved. II possible, insist that the victim and
objects remain in place until the arrival oI the investigator.
8. Record the crime scene details in your military police notebook. Ensure that you include
a. Observations oI the crime scene, to include the location oI persons and items within the crime scene.
b. The appearance and conditions oI the crime scene upon arrival, such as smells, ice, liquids, movable Iurniture, the weather,
temperature, or the victims' personal items, whether the lights were on or oII; the shades were, up or down, open or closed; or the
doors and windows were open or closed.
c. Statements or comments overheard Irom witnesses, victims, and suspects
d. The actions oI others and your actions while at the scene.
e. The times or time estimates oI all key events such as the arrival and departure times oI all persons responding.
f. Any other inIormation you may Iorget that is relevant to the report.
9. BrieI the investigator upon arrival on all the details you are aware oI reIerring to your notes Ior accuracy. Stay objective and do
not interject your opinion unless you are asked to.
10. Remain on the scene and assist the investigator until released by the investigator in charge or the military police desk
sergeant.



References
FM 3-19.13 LAW ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATIONS

Supporting Collective Tasks


Supporting Individual Tasks