The final step in the 7 S's of Crime Scene Investigation is securing and collecting evidence. This step is crucial because it involves the systematic gathering of physical evidence crucial for the case, ensuring that it is properly handled, documented, and preserved for analysis and as potential testimony in court.
Effective evidence collection is essential to maintain the integrity of the crime scene, which can greatly influence the investigation's outcome. By ensuring that all collected evidence is secured correctly—using appropriate tools and methods to prevent contamination and loss—investigators can build a reliable case based on factual and tangible data.
Other steps in the 7 S's, such as scanning, seeing, and sketching the scene, are vital in the initial assessment and understanding of the crime scene, but they precede the securing and collecting of evidence. These earlier stages focus on observing the scene, understanding its layout, and gathering a preliminary overview, while the final step is about the concrete collection of evidence necessary to substantiating the findings.