Crime scenes surrounded by black-and-yellow tapes are a common sight that most of us have experienced in real life or, at least seen on television. But have we ever stopped to think about what lies beyond these tapes and why they are there?
These black-and-yellow tapes, commonly known as scene tapes or cordons, are placed around a crime scene to protect valuable silent evidences. Every crime scene holds its own mystery, and these silent evidences play a significant role in revealing these mysteries. Even in the absence of an eyewitness, they may provide enough information to uncover what really happened.
Dr Edmond Locard (1877-1966), a pioneering French criminologist and forensic scientist, often referred to as the "Sherlock Holmes of France," introduced one of the fundamental principles of forensic science. His famous statement, "Every contact leaves a trace," explains that whenever two objects or individuals come into contact, there is a mutual exchange of material. This concept is known as the Locard's Exchange Principle. Accordingly, although offenders may believe they have committed a crime without leaving any evidence behind, they inevitably leave evidence at the crime scene while taking evidence away from the scene with them. Whether it is a fingerprint, footwear impression, DNA, fibres, gunshot residue, or other physical traces or digital evidence such as CCTV recordings or mobile phones all potential evidence must be protected. These traces may be tiny and even invisible to the naked eye, yet they may become the key to solving the crime.
Crime scene management
Evidence recovered from a crime scene can help answering the fundamental questions of an investigation: What happened? When did it happen? How did it happen? Who was involved? Once evidence is contaminated or destroyed, it may no longer be able to answer these questions. Therefore, preserving a crime scene is of utmost importance. The basics of crime scene management include ensuring the safety of victims, responders, and the public; securing the scene by establishing a cordon and appointing scene guards; protecting evidence from weather and contamination; documenting the scene through notes, photographs, videos, and sketches; collecting evidence while preserving its evidential value; and maintaining the chain of custody throughout transportation, storage, laboratory examination, and court proceedings. Since the initial stages of an investigation begin at the crime scene, proper crime scene management plays a vital role in the criminal justice system.
Many individuals are involved in managing a crime scene, and each has a different but equally important role. Once a crime is reported, the first responders are usually the police officers. Their first responsibility is to ensure safety. Injured victims must be given immediate medical attention, the scene must be assessed for any potential dangers, and, where necessary, the public and emergency responders must be evacuated. The police then secure the crime scene by establishing a cordon, appointing scene guards, and notifying the relevant stakeholders depending on the nature of the incident.
In Sri Lanka, crime scene investigations are carried out by Scene of Crime Officers (SOCOs), who are specially trained police officers. They are responsible for preserving and recovering evidence while ensuring that its evidential value is maintained. In some instances, temporary shelters are erected over important evidence to protect it from weather conditions such as rain. Photography, videography, note-taking, sketches, and measurements play a significant role in reconstructing the crime scene and presenting evidence in court. Depending on the nature of the incident, forensic experts including fingerprint examiners, firearms examiners, DNA experts, and other forensic scientists may also examine the scene and guide investigators on the recovery of evidence. For certain cases, Judicial Medical Officers are called to the scene, and in Sri Lanka, magistrates may also visit specific crime scenes. Although each stakeholder has a distinct role, they all share the responsibility of preserving the scene and avoiding any unnecessary disturbance of evidence.
Knowing what we should and should not do
Knowing the importance of a crime scene in bringing justice to victims also means knowing what we should do and should not do if we ever come across a crime scene. What we often observe is people rushing towards a crime scene out of curiosity, trying to see what has happened and sometimes even interfering with the scene. This is exactly what we should avoid.
Our first responsibility is to help injured victims, if it is safe to do so, and ensure they receive medical treatment. Once safety has been ensured, the best course of action is to inform the police and stay away from the scene. After the police take control, we should never cross the scene tape, touch or move objects, clean the area, or walk or drive through the scene unnecessarily. We should always follow the instructions given by the police. If photographs or videos may assist the investigation, they should be preserved and shared with investigators rather than posted on social media. We should also respect the dignity of victims by refraining from sharing photographs or videos of the deceased or injured, and by avoiding the spread of rumours or unverified information.
If you happened to enter the crime scene before it was secured for example, while helping a victim it is important to inform investigators. Like everyone else, you may also have left traces at the scene. Providing this information helps investigators interpret the evidence correctly and avoid unnecessary complications. Curious onlookers, relatives, and sometimes even media personnel can unintentionally destroy valuable evidence. As responsible citizens, each of us has a role to play in helping bring justice to victims. Preserving a crime scene is not only the responsibility of the police but also a responsibility shared by all of us.
The black-and-yellow tape is far more than a physical barrier. It protects the silent witnesses that speak for those who cannot. Every footprint avoided, every object left untouched, and every instruction followed helps preserve the silent evidence that speaks for victims, identifies offenders, and ensures that justice is served.
The writer is a Senior Assistant Government Analyst, Government Analyst's Department
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The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of this publication