What is the first step in the crime scene processing sequence?

• A. Approach Scene
• B. Preparation
• C. Secure and Protect Scene
• D. Initiate Preliminary Survey

Answer: (B)

Understanding how crime scene processing unfolds helps explain why preparation comes first. Preparation involves planning, gathering and checking equipment, ensuring safety, coordinating roles, and establishing objectives before you even reach the scene. This readiness is essential because all later actions depend on it—without proper preparation, you risk missing evidence, contaminating items, or losing the chain of custody.

Once you’re prepared, you then approach the scene, assess conditions, and determine the initial access points. After approaching, you stop and secure and protect the scene to prevent contamination and disturbance. Only after securing the scene do you begin the preliminary survey to map out the scene, note potential evidence, and plan the documentary and collection steps.