In conducting a crime scene investigation, what is the first step?

The first step in conducting a crime scene investigation is establishing security. This involves securing the area to prevent contamination or alteration of evidence, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access the scene. Establishing security is critical to maintaining the integrity of the evidence and the overall investigation process.

While identifying potential safety hazards is indeed important and should typically follow the establishment of security, it does not take priority over securing the scene itself. Documenting the scene and collecting evidence are also crucial steps in the investigation process, but they take place after the scene is secured to ensure that evidence is preserved and collected properly without interference.