Which type of evidence should be collected first at a crime scene?

The collection of fingerprints should be prioritized at a crime scene because they can provide crucial, direct evidence of a suspect's presence and involvement. Fingerprints are often left on surfaces when an individual interacts with an object and can uniquely identify individuals since everyone has distinct fingerprint patterns.

Collecting fingerprints early is essential for a number of reasons. First, they can be easily smudged or altered if the scene is disturbed after a significant amount of time has passed, potentially compromising the integrity of the evidence. Moreover, fingerprints usually require minimal intrusion to collect and can often be processed quickly on-site, allowing investigators to obtain immediate leads. In contrast, while other types of evidence like blood samples, clothing fibers, and hair samples are also vital, they typically require more careful handling and analysis later in the investigation process, after securing the scene.

In sum, securing fingerprint evidence promptly fosters accurate and efficient identification of individuals related to the crime, making it a key first step for investigators.