What is one primary duty of a crime scene investigator?

The primary duty of a crime scene investigator is to collect and preserve physical evidence from a crime scene. This responsibility is crucial because the evidence gathered can play a significant role in reconstructing the events of the crime, identifying suspects, and supporting the prosecution in court.

The process of collecting and preserving evidence is meticulous, requiring specific techniques to avoid contamination or degradation. This work ensures that crucial details from the scene—such as fingerprints, DNA, ballistics, and other forensic materials—are accurately documented and safeguarded for analysis.

While interviewing witnesses and victims, arresting suspects, and conducting surveillance are all important aspects of law enforcement, they typically fall under the responsibilities of police officers or investigators, rather than the specialized role of a crime scene investigator. The latter focuses solely on ensuring that physical evidence is handled properly to maintain its integrity for future legal processes.