Crack the North Carolina BLET Criminal Investigation Challenge 2026 – Uncover Your Inner Detective!

Documenting details in the report and obtaining elimination fingerprints is critical when an officer touches or moves any items at a crime scene. This procedure ensures that there is a clear and accurate record of what actions were taken regarding the evidence, which helps maintain the integrity of the investigation.

If evidence is touched or moved, documenting the circumstances surrounding those actions assists in establishing a chain of custody. This information provides context and helps prevent contamination or mishandling claims. Additionally, obtaining elimination fingerprints allows the investigator to differentiate between those who have legitimate access to the scene and potential suspects, further clarifying the investigation.

While considering what else might be documented, knowing who was in the area at the time can be relevant, but it does not directly address the act of moving or touching evidence. Option B, noting that it's not relevant, is incorrect as documentation is essential in maintaining the chain of evidence. Finally, what happened to the evidence is important, but it falls under the broader scope of detailed reporting that includes all actions taken regarding the evidence. Therefore, the best practice in this scenario is to document the details in the report and obtain elimination fingerprints.