Chapter 4: Incident Response and Data Acquisition

It's sometimes difficult to ascertain exactly what qualifies as evidence, especially at the exact start of an investigation, when all the facts on what occurred may not have yet been collected or stated. In any investigation, we should be aware of and follow the guidelines, practices, and procedures for acquiring evidence in such a way that it is not altered or, in a worst-case scenario, lost.

At the scene of a crime, let's say a robbery, there are specific items that may immediately qualify as evidence. The physical evidence is easily collected, put into evidence bags, labeled, and then shipped off to the labs and secure storage areas for safekeeping. This evidence may include spent bullet casings, a gun, fingerprints, and blood samples. Let's not forget witness statements and Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) footage, also. It's also of interest to consider the individuals from law enforcement agencies that would...