V. Detailed Guidelines  V. Detailed Guidelines A. Detailed Guidelines on Crime-Scene Investigation 1. Introduction 167. Crime-scene examinations aim to identify scientifically, document, collect and preserve courtadmissible evidence that may link suspects, victims and physical evidence with the scene. Such examinations should be conducted by forensic experts who have been trained in the legal and scientific identification, documentation, collection and preservation of evidence. 168. Documentation consists of: (a) Photographic documentation. Photographs can also include a reference scale and direction indicator. Video documentation can supplement photographic documentation, but owing to poor image resolution should not be considered a primary means of capturing images (b) Measurements (e.g. length/width/height, marked on sketches, diagrams or maps; instrument results) (c) Notes describing findings and recording data collection. These records need to be managed according to chain-of-custody standards, safeguarding them from possible manipulation. 169. In situations where the rule of law has broken down, such as during armed conflict, investigations may not be carried out by local authorities, and in such cases international bodies may not establish jurisdiction until long after any crimes have occurred, if at all. Under these circumstances, non-forensic experts, such as medical workers, journalists, or human rights activists, may be the first to come upon the scene. What these witnesses document may be important to future investigations as well as to the proper management of the dead and the identification of victims, even though they have no formal legal mandate to identify, document or collect evidence. 170. Nonetheless, documentation through methodical photographing and/or video recording, measurements and thorough note-taking is a means for such non-experts to contribute to future truth-seeking and/or judicial inquiries. The credibility of such documentation is increased 30 The Minnesota Protocol on the Investigation of Potentially Unlawful Death (2016) when records are kept according to chain-ofcustody standards, allowing for independent verification of the identity of the author, the origin of the records and how they were subsequently stored or managed. The effective implementation of the right to the truth is also supported by a strong national archival system. 171. Crime-scene investigators are individuals trained in identifying, documenting, collecting and preserving physical evidence for further analysis. At an early stage, it should be established which type of scientific expertise will be needed in the field and, later on, in forensic laboratories. Some of the experts who may need to be consulted include: nn Forensic pathologists/doctors nn Forensic anthropologists nn Forensic archaeologists nn Forensic entomologists nn Forensic odontologists nn Forensic botanists nn Forensic radiologists nn Ballistics and firearms experts nn Chemists (e.g. with expertise in chemical weapons) and/or toxicologists nn Human identification experts (e.g. fingerprint experts, mass fatality management experts, molecular biologists/forensic DNA experts, or forensic dentists) nn Digital data experts (e.g. mobile phones, memory sticks, computers or social media), and nn Facial reconstruction experts. Within the overall investigatory strategy, recognized forensic laboratories should be identified for subsequent laboratory examinations and analysis of evidence.