.4 Recovery of forensic material from a crime
scene has the potential to provide evidence to identify offenders.
Equally, interpretation of what happened at the scene will help investigators
determine the outcome of the investigation. It is therefore vital
that crime scenes be protected until appropriately qualified personnel
arrive to examine them. This point should be fully understood by the
master, crew and shipowner of any ship involved.
.5 The initial phases of the law-enforcement and
emergency services’ response present the greatest risk of scene
contamination. Personnel coordinating the law enforcement response
should be aware of the risk of contamination and advise persons attending
scenes, including other law enforcement officials and naval personnel,
accordingly.
.6 The authorities in the country with lead responsibility
for investigating any crime should be informed of the details of the
incident and given the opportunity to conduct an investigation into
it. Any evidence, details of action taken, etc., should be passed
to the State with the lead responsibility.