Burglary Scene Preservation Guide
We do understand how upsetting and difficult it is when you have been burgled, which is why we want to ensure that we obtain the best forensic evidence possible.
If you become a victim of burglary, preserving the scene is crucial to help Crime Scene Investigators gather evidence. This evidence can be a vital tool in identifying the person who entered your home or premises, and there may be some things that you can do to support us before we arrive at your address.
The best thing you can do is leave the property exactly as you found it and avoid the areas you believe the offender has been. This allows the CSI to conduct a visual assessment to try and understand what has happened.
It is also important to minimise contamination and preserve the area as best as possible. We do appreciate that you may have to take measures to secure your property or there may be items that are causing you an obstruction.
Our Crime Scene Investigation Unit works between the hours of 0700hrs and 2300hrs so you can expect a phone call or visit around these times.
Follow the guidelines below to ensure the best possible chance of identifying and prosecuting the offenders.
Try and handle the item as little as possible but if you must move an item, please use hand coverings such as a plastic carrier bag or food bag. Hold the item by the edges or in places where they would not have been naturally touched by the offender.
Keep the items in a clean and dry area ready for the CSI to assess when they arrive. If there are any of your items outside that have been moved or handled by the offender, consider bringing them inside to keep them dry and protected.
If you identify an item that is not yours and may have been left by the offender, please try not to touch it as this could be the most valuable forensic evidence.
If it is outside, it is preferable to leave the item where it is and cover the item with a clean container. If it must be moved because it could be lost or damaged, follow the guidance above and let the CSI know what you have done.
If you notice any blood, please avoid the area. If you think this may be lost or damaged, cover it with a clean bowl, cup, or other container to try to protect the stain.
You may need to secure the door or window where the offender has entered your property. Try to touch the surfaces as little as possible, the handle is the best place for you to touch. Remember to wear hand coverings if you need to secure or repair the window or door.
Please make sure that anyone carrying out this work is wearing gloves. Any large pieces of broken glass can be carefully placed to one side for the CSI to assess on arrival. Any small pieces can also be brushed to one side.
The CSI may be able to recover marks left behind by an intruder. If there are visible footwear marks either inside or outside your property, please try to preserve these as best as possible. If they need covering for example from the rain, consider using a container or plate that won't touch the mark.
By following these guidelines, you can help ensure that valuable evidence is preserved, increasing the chances of identifying and prosecuting the offenders.