Preserving evidence
Advice on preserving evidence so that crime scene investigators can help identify who is responsible for a crime.
The people responsible for a crime may have been caught on camera or left evidence, such as:
- blood
- tools
- fingerprints
- shoe prints
This is called forensic evidence, and can be used to help identify who was responsible for a crime.
When you report a crime, tell us if you think there is forensic evidence. We will let you know if it is something we can use.
Preserving evidence
If forensic evidence is:
- outside, cover the area without disturbing any evidence. If you have to move anything try to handle it as little as possible and if you can, wear gloves
- on your clothing, change out of these items and place them in a clean plastic bag
- on your skin, tell us this as soon as possible and try not to touch or wash the area
Areas of the home that have been disturbed
If possible, do not touch or clean any:
- fluids such as blood
- footprints
- areas or items handled by the person responsible for the crime
Light switches and door handles can be used as normal.
Using areas that have been disturbed
Photograph the disturbance first. If possible, wear gloves when moving items that have smooth or shiny surfaces, for example, plastic, metal, glass and treated wood. These can be moved to an area that is out of the way for us to examine.
Items that are not smooth or shiny, such as clothes and textured surfaces, are unlikely to have any useful forensic evidence and so can be tidied away.
You can then use the room as normal.
Areas of the home that have not been disturbed
These can be used as normal.
Making your home secure
Photograph the damage first, and if someone else is doing the repairs for you, ask them to:
- leave any broken glass in place if possible
- wear gloves and be careful not to touch the inside of any frames
- secure any windows or doors from the outside
Digital forensic opportunities
Any CCTV system, doorbell camera, other video or audio recordings are valuable evidence. Do not switch off any devices or change any settings.
If possible, download footage to include five minutes before and after the incident and keep it safe. Do not delete it from the original device as it may be needed later.
If you are unable to download the footage, leave the device on, and record the time and date shown on the display. When you report the crime, explain that you have digital evidence and we will help you retrieve it.