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“Eyes Open, Mouth Shut, Hands in Pockets” When a crime scene is discovered, it is essential that it be contained and sealed off quickly to preserve any trace evidence. This is often difficult. In the case of a suspicious death, for example, the scene will be disturbed by the person who found the body, the first uniformed officers to arrive, the ambulance crew, and the medical examiner or coroner who pronounces the body dead. The crime scene investigator will arrive as soon as possible and will allow as few people as are necessary within the closed-off area. If the scene is out in the open, however, there are already likely to be many footprints, for example, that are not connected with the crime. Indoors, the body may have been moved and the

clothing loosened in attempts at CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). In addition, signifi- cant items in the roommay have been moved in some way. The investigating officer must always remember the rule “Eyes open, mouth shut, hands in pock- ets.”He (it is stillmore often than not aman, though this is chang- ing) must use his eyes to take in every detail of the scene. Hemust avoid saying anything that could affect the testimonyof someone nearbywhomay later have to give evidence. And he should touch nothing until the rest of his search team arrives.

Every piece of trace evidence should be identified, marked on a grid plan of the crime scene, and photographed. Each is then placed individually in a plastic bag or box and labeled with full details. When items of evidence pass from the custody of one person to another, they should be logged and signed for.

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Every Contact Leaves a Trace