The University of North Carolina at Greensboro Police Department
	General Order 3-2.2	Evidence Organization and Administration

1. 24 Hour Crime Scene Response
   
   The Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU) will have personnel available during normal duty hours and an assigned on-call detective available 24 hours every day to provide advice or response for the purpose of crime scene processing and continued investigation of the crime in question. After notification by the shift supervisor, the on-duty detective or the detective on call will give instruction on how to proceed with the investigation until the detective arrives. When determining whether or not to respond to the scene, the detective will evaluate each request for investigative services based on the likelihood of solvability, collectible evidence, and the impact of the incident on UNCG and the community itself.
2. Officer Crime Scene Responsibilities
   
   Patrol officers responding to the scene of a crime have the responsibility of stabilizing the scene and assessing the immediate course of action. Officers will collect evidence at the scene of a crime when:
   1. The crime under investigation is not a major crime such as a homicide, rape, armed robbery, etc.;
   2. The evidence can be easily collected without the use of special chemicals, powders or time consuming collection techniques; or
   3. The evidence will be destroyed or altered if not collected immediately. Examples would be evidence in the possession of an arrestee at the time of the arrest or evidence collected at the scene of the crime when protection of the scene is not practical due to ongoing activity that cannot be controlled.
It will be the responsibility of the officer collecting the evidence to maintain a documented chain of custody of that evidence in order to ensure that it is presented to the court in a professional manner and in compliance with this policy and state law. The officer will notify the shift supervisor if there is collectible evidence at the scene that requires special chemicals, powders, or time-consuming collection techniques. If there are special investigative needs that the patrol squad cannot provide, a request for the on-call detective will be made by the shift supervisor.

Officers responding to a crime scene will approach the scene with caution and in a manner that is least destructive to potential evidence. The primary responsibility of the officer at the scene is to protect and render assistance to victims by performing first aid or calling for emergency medical personnel.

If the victim is obviously deceased, do not disturb the body. The officer's approach route to the injured person should be such that any physical evidence in the vicinity remains untouched or is protected as it lies. If the suspect is found at or near the scene, the officer must detain and control the suspect according to officer safety guidelines. If probable cause is developed to believe that the suspect committed the crime under investigation, the officer should place them under arrest, search them, make note of any spontaneous statements the suspect makes and advise them of their Miranda rights if they are to be questioned further. The arrestee should be closely controlled and removed from the crime scene as soon as possible so as to protect the scene from intentional destruction of evidence.

The first officer on the scene must secure the initial point of the incident and must extend the area of protection to the perimeter. Having secured the area in which a crime has been committed, the officer should expand coverage to the entire building or outside area, depending on the nature and scope of the crime. Crime scenes may be secured by additional personnel, barricades, ropes and/or signs to help control access. The first officer on the scene should immediately begin a Crime Scene Entry Log in an effort to limit access to the crime scene. Only personnel essential to the collection of evidence or the investigation of the crime will be allowed into the crime scene.


3. Supervisor Crime Scene Responsibilities
   
   Shift supervisors are directly accountable for their squad's performance in the processing of crime scenes. The shift supervisor has the responsibility of notifying CIU, or the on-call detective of serious incidents in need of special requests or services. The shift supervisor will contact the detectives directly during normal working hours and have Communications notify the on-call detective concerning incidents that occur after hours. Incidents in need of immediate crime scene services will require the shift supervisor to notify CIU within one hour of the time found. In cases involving homicides, suicides, and found bodies, the shift supervisor will immediately contact the Greensboro Police Department, the on-call detective, and the command staff. The shift supervisor is responsible for organizing and coordinating the police response to serious crimes and ordering additional deployment and resources as needed.
4. Detective Crime Scene Responsibilities
   
   The detective processing the crime scene will complete a supplement report containing: date and time detective arrives to the scene; case number associated with the investigation; the location of the crime under investigation; the name of victim(s) involved; name of suspect(s), if known; and any action taken at the scene, including: photographs, measurements and a list of all physical evidence collected. The list of physical evidence should include: descriptive information, the source of the evidence, and the name of the person collecting the evidence. If physical evidence and/or photographs are not collected from a serious crime scene, the assigned detective will prepare a supplement report explaining why they were not collected.
5. Command and Control at Major Crime Scenes
   
   Detectives will be contacted on all major crimes against persons or property such as homicide, rape, kidnapping, robbery, aggravated assault, breaking and entering and felonious larceny. Upon arrival at the scene and briefing by the primary officer at the scene the detective will take command of the crime scene and will be responsible for the management and processing of the scene unless relieved by competent authority. Requests for additional patrol deployment or patrol services will be made through the shift supervisor. Detectives may request assistance from outside agencies to assist with the collection and follow-up analysis of evidence.
6. Equipment and Supplies
   
   The Criminal Investigations Unit will be responsible for the equipment and supplies needed to perform advanced crime scene processing. The CIU Commander or designee will be responsible for ensuring that all items needed to perform advanced crime scene processing are well maintained and that adequate supplies are on hand.
7. Officer Supplies
   
   Each individual officer is responsible for ensuring that they are prepared at all times for crime scene response. Officers should ensure that they have a supply of biohazard protection items (e.g. gloves) readily available at all times.
8. Crime Scene Response Kit
   
   Each patrol vehicle within the department will be equipped with a "Crime Scene Response Kit" to assist officers in properly processing and/or maintaining the scene until an detective arrives and assumes responsibility. The "Crime Scene Response Kit" will contain the following items:
   • A copy of General Order: "Evidence Organization and Administration"
   • Crime scene response checklist
   • Crime scene entry log(s) with clipboard
   • Note pad and pencil
   • Evidence collection envelopes and bags
   • Two pairs of biohazard gloves
   The "Crime Scene Response Kit" should only be accessed in response to a major crime such as a homicide, rape, armed robbery, etc. Items within the kit should not be removed for use while performing routine duties. The officer accessing the packet should replace any items removed from the kit as soon as possible.