Preserving Evidence

This page gives practical advice and guidance to consider when looking to preserving evidence if you've been a victim of crime.

When you speak to a contact handler or officer of your case during your victim journey, more dedicated advice can be provided.

Preserving evidence

• Take photos or videos of any injuries or damage caused

• Leave any items that could be linked to an offender where they are, for example tools, food items, or cigarette stubs

• Take screen shots of any messages received

• Make recordings of any voice notes sent

Consider forensic opportunities such as: 

• Carefully cover any obvious footprints to preserve them for forensics. If outside, prints can be covered with an upside down tub to protect them from the elements of the weather. Try not to walk where offenders may have walked

• Try not to touch anything the offender may have touched, such as door handles and window frames​

• D not clean or touch if there is blood, such as on broken glass
  
  
• Are there any fingerprints, whether this is on metallic or smooth surfaces
  
  
• Do not touch or move items unless necessary
  
  
• Cover footprints where possible to preserve the area from rain or being stood on
  
  
• Is there any saliva or markings, such as on food, cups, mugs, glasses, paraphernalia

Victims of rape/sexual offence:

•  Do not remove or wash affected items such as clothing worn at the time
  
  
• Do not wash or shower your body