Policy Text
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST RE VIEW
1 01/24/2011 09/01/201 8
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
___________________________
406 - Crime & Disaster Scene Integrity 1 POLICY 406 CRIME AND DISASTER SCENE INTEGRITY
406.1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
The protection and integrity of a crime scene is of the utmost importance for the successful
apprehension of criminals and successful prosecution. The integrity of a disaster scene is equally
as critical for the protection of life and property and investigation by proper authorities.
406.1.1 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
This section pertains to the following CALEA Standards: 41.2.4 , 42.2.1 , 46.1.4 , 61.2.3, 83.1.1
This section pertains t o the following Standard Operating Procedures: SP104
406.2 CRIME SCENE RESPONSIBILITY
The first officer at the scene of a crime or major incident is generally responsible for t aking
reasonable efforts to preserve the scene . Officers however, shall also co nsider officer safety and
public safety issues including rendering medical aid for any injured parties. Once an officer has
assumed or been assigned to maintain the integrity of the crime/disaster scene, the officer shall
continue to do so until relieved b y a supervisor.
406.2.1 FIRST RESPONDER CONSIDERATIONS
The following list generally describes the function s which the first responder should reasonably
attempt to take at a crime or disaster scene. This list is not intended to be all -inclusive, is not
necessarily in order and may be altered according to the demands of each situation , the
availability of resources, capacity of personnel and totality of circumstance s:
a) Ensure no suspects are still within the area ;
b) Broadcast emergency information including all requests for additional assistance ;
c) Provide first aid to injured parties if it can be done safely ;
d) Evacuate the location as required;
e) Secure the inner and outer perimeter with crime scene tape if needed ;
f) Protect items of apparent evidentiary value ;
g) Identify potential witnesses;
h) Start chronological log noting critical times and personnel allowed access.
406.2. 2 EXECUTION OF HEALTH ORDERS
Any sworn member of this Department may execute and enforce all orders of the local health
officer issued for the p urpose of preventing the spread of any contagious, infectious, or
communicable disease ( Health & Safety Code § 120155).
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST RE VIEW
1 01/24/2011 09/01/201 8
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT GENERAL ORDERS
___________________________
406 - Crime & Disaster Scene Integrity 2 406.2.3 TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS
Crime and disaster scenes can sometimes attract news helicopters and other sightseeing aircraft .
Whenever such aircraft pose a threat to public safety due to congestion or when the noise levels
caused by loitering aircraft hamper incident operations, the field supervisor should consider
requesting Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) through the Fed eral Aviation Administration
(Federal Aviation Regulations § 91.137). All requests for TFR should be routed through the
Watch Commander.
406.3 SEARCHES AT CRIME OR DISASTER SCENES
Officers arriving at crime or disaster scenes are often faced with the i mmediate need to search for
and render aid to victims and determine if suspects are present and continue to pose a threat.
Once officers are satisfied that no additional suspects are present and/or there are no injured
persons to be treated, those exigent circumstances will likely no longer exist. Officers should
thereafter secure the scene and conduct no further search until proper authority for the search is
obtained.
406.3.1 CONSENT
Officers should seek consent to search from authorized individuals wh ere possible. However, in
the case of serious crimes or major investigations, it may be prudent to obtain a search warrant.
Consent may be sought even in cases where a search warrant has been granted.
406.4 PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION
During the stabiliz ation of the scene (outlined in § 406.2 .1), officers should be observant of
conditions, event s, spontaneous statement s and other items of evidentiary nature. Following the
stabilization of the scene, officers should make every attempt to locate and intervi ew the reporting
party, witnesses , and suspects, if appropriate; and should collect or arrange for the collection of
evidence as appropriate, depending upon the complexity of the investigation, and their expertise .