The document outlines the responsibilities and procedures for first responding officers at crime scenes, emphasizing their roles in providing emergency care, securing the scene, and collecting evidence. It details the steps to assist victims, control the movement of individuals at the scene, and document statements from witnesses and suspects. The importance of preserving the crime scene's integrity while providing medical attention is highlighted, along with legal considerations regarding witness statements and confessions.

1. First responding
officer
Mr. Mayank David Raiborde
Assistant Professor
Kristu Jayanti College (Autonomous),
Bengaluru

2. Specific Learning objectives
Recall the role of first
responding officer
Discuss the duty of
of First responder
Assess the importance
of emergency care
Examine the procedure
of collecting statements
1
3 4
2
By the end of the session the student will be able to

3. Physical evidence can not
be intimidated.
It does not forget. It
sits there and waits to be
detected, preserved,
evaluated and explained

4. The first responding officers to a crime
scene are usually police officers, fire
department personnel, or emergency
medical personnel.
These first responders are the only
people to view the crime scene in its
most original or pristine condition
First responding officer

5. The duties of first responders
● Assist the victim and prevent any changes to the victim.
● Search for and arrest the suspect if that person is still on
the scene.
● Detain any witnesses. If possible, keep the witnesses
separated to preserve their objectivity.
● Protect and secure the crime scene
● Establish a crime scene security log
● Document all movements, alterations, or changes made to
the crime scene

6. Principle: After controlling any dangerous
situations or persons, the initial responding
officer(s’) next responsibility is to ensure that
medical attention is provided to injured persons
while minimizing contamination of the scene.
Policy: The initial responding officer(s) shall
ensure that medical attention is provided with
minimal contamination of the scene.
Emergency Care

7. Procedure: The initial responding officer(s) should:
● Assess the victim(s) for signs of life and medical needs and
provide immediate medical attention.
● Call for medical personnel.
● Guide medical personnel to the victim to minimize
contamination/alteration of the crime scene.
● Point out potential physical evidence to medical personnel,
instruct them to minimize contact with such evidence (e.g., ensure
that medical personnel preserve all clothing and personal effects
without cutting through bullet holes, knife tears), and document
movement of persons or items by medical personnel.

8. ● Instruct medical personnel not to “clean up”
the scene and to avoid removal or alteration
of items originating from the scene.
● If medical personnel arrived first, obtain
the name, unit, and telephone number of
attending personnel, and the name and
location of the medical facility where the
victim is to be taken.
● If there is a chance the victim may die,
attempt to obtain “dying declaration.”

9. ● Document any statements/comments made by victims,
suspects, or witnesses at the scene.
● If the victim or suspect is transported to a medical
facility, send a law enforcement official with the victim
or suspect to document any comments made and
preserve evidence. (If no officers are available to
accompany the victim/suspect, stay at the scene and
request medical personnel to preserve evidence and
document any comments made by the victim or suspect.)

10. Principle: Controlling, identifying, and removing
persons at the crime scene and limiting the
number of persons who enter the crime scene
and the movement of such persons is an
important function of the initial responding
officer(s) in protecting the crime scene.
Policy: The initial responding officer(s) shall
identify persons at the crime scene and
control their movement.
Secure and Control Persons at the Scene

11. Procedure: The initial responding officer(s)
should:
❖ Control all individuals at the scene—
prevent individuals from
altering/destroying physical evidence
by restricting movement, location, and
activity while ensuring and maintaining
safety at the scene.

12. ❖ Identify all individuals at the scene, such as:
• Suspects: Secure and separate.
• Witnesses: Secure and separate.
❖ Bystanders: Determine whether witness, if so treat as above, if
not, remove from the scene.
• Victims/family/friends: Control while showing compassion.
• Medical and other assisting personnel.
c. Exclude unauthorized and nonessential personnel from the scene (e.g.,
law enforcement officials not working the case, politicians,media).

13. Statements of
victim, witness
and suspect

14. ● Examination of accused u/s (under the section).161 CrPC is
popularly known as interrogation.
● The object of examination of witness u/s.161 CrPC is to
produce the evidence before the court at the time of trial.
● Confession is voluntary admission of guilt by the accused
person.
● As per S.25 of Indian Evidence Act confession recorded by
police officer is inadmissible in evidence.

15. Recording of Statements of
Witnesses
The Police Officer making an investigation should himself invariably
examine any person and record his statement during an investigation.
But, in cases where it is impracticable, the Head constable or the
writer attached to the Police Station may record the statements of
witnesses. In that case both the recording officer and the
investigating officer should sign the statement recorded u/s. 161 (3)
Cr.P.C.

16. The accused has got right to remain silent as
he got ‘right against self incrimination’ as per
S.161(2) CrPC and Art. 20(3) of Indian
Constitution.
But if a witness examined by the police does
not give answers to the questions he can be
punishable u/s.179 IPC or if he gives false
information he can be punished u/s.193 IPC.

17. Records maintained at police station
Peer teaching