An investigator designated to investigate a criminal matter must secure the scene of the crime, if still intact, or take over the securing of such scene from a member or members of the South African Police Service who may already be present at such scene, by—
| (a) |
establishing an inner cordon around the perimeter of the crime scene, as well as an outer cordon around the inner cordon to enable persons to perform their tasks within the inner cordon; |
| (b) |
protecting obvious exhibits from contamination and the elements; |
| (c) |
making a note of each exhibit to protect its integrity and location if it has to be moved; |
| (d) |
regarding a corpse as a source of evidence and handling it as such; |
| (e) |
identifying other scenes that might have a direct connection with the primary crime scene, and also protecting such scenes; |
| (f) |
exercising control over the persons who may gain access to the crime scene and co-ordinating all investigation support resources; |
| (g) |
requesting potential witnesses to wait at a designated area outside the outer cordon for the obtaining of statements, ensuring their safety and encouraging witnesses not to discuss the incident amongst themselves; |
| (h) |
protecting the routes of access and departure by the person or persons suspected of having committed the crime, if known; |
| (i) |
determining access and departure routes for use by emergency services and other persons authorised to enter the crime scene; |
| (j) |
controlling any representatives of the media who may be in the vicinity of the crime scene; and |
| (k) |
refraining from releasing information about the crime or the crime scene to any unauthorised person, including representatives of the media. |
Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act, 1996
