American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) Practice Exam

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What should you do if the crime scene tape’s perimeter is too small and onlookers are gathering?

  1. Remove the body to control the crowd

  2. Keep the tape and instruct to enlarge the perimeter

  3. Take down the tape immediately

  4. Ask the police to arrest onlookers

The correct answer is: Keep the tape and instruct to enlarge the perimeter

In a situation where the crime scene tape's perimeter is too small and onlookers are gathering, instructing to enlarge the perimeter is the most appropriate response. This action ensures that the integrity of the crime scene is maintained, allowing investigators to perform their duties without interference. Expanding the perimeter helps to create a safe and controlled environment, minimizing risks of contamination and preserving evidence not yet collected. Moreover, maintaining an effective perimeter is crucial for investigative processes, as it keeps potential witnesses and the general public at a safe distance from the crime scene. This also aids law enforcement in managing the situation and preventing any disruption to the investigation. Any other actions, such as removing the body or taking down the tape, would compromise the crime scene or invite further chaos, while asking the police to arrest onlookers may escalate the situation unnecessarily. Therefore, adjusting the perimeter to ensure greater space is the best and most logical approach to managing the gathering crowd while upholding investigative protocol.