What is the first step in containing evidence?

The first step in containing evidence is to identify it. This process involves recognizing what constitutes evidence at a scene, which is crucial for any further actions that need to be taken. By identifying evidence, security personnel can determine what needs to be preserved and secured to maintain the integrity of a scene.

Proper identification allows for a systematic approach to handling potential evidence and ensures that nothing critical is overlooked. Once evidence is identified, subsequent steps such as preserving and securing can take place, which are essential to safeguarding the evidence for future analysis or legal proceedings. Collecting evidence comes after these initial steps; it relies heavily on having previously identified and secured evidence to ensure it is handled properly.