Forensic evidence

When a burglary happens, the person responsible may have been caught on camera or left evidence like:

• blood
• tools
• fingerprints
• shoe prints

This is called forensic evidence, and crime scene investigators can use it to help identify who is responsible for the crime.

Please tell us when you report your crime if you think there is forensic evidence. We'll let you know if it is something we can use.

Preserving evidence

If forensic evidence is:

• outside, cover the area without disturbing any evidence. If you have to move anything please try to handle it as little as possible and if you can, wear gloves
• on your clothing, please change out of these items and place them in a clean plastic bag
• on your skin because the criminal grabbed you, tell us this as soon as possible and try not to touch or wash the area

Areas of the home that have not been disturbed

These can be used as normal.

Areas of the home that have been disturbed

If possible, do not touch or clean any:

• fluids such as blood
• footprints
• areas or items handled by the person responsible for the crime

Light switches and door handles can be used as normal.

Using areas that have been disturbed

Photograph the disturbance first. Then wear gloves when moving items that have smooth/shiny surfaces – for example, plastic, metal, glass, treated wood. These can be moved to an area that is out of the way for us to examine.

Other items that are not smooth or shiny – for example, clothes and textured surfaces are unlikely to have any useful forensic evidence and so can be tidied away.

You can then use the room as normal.

Making your home secure

Photograph the damage first, and if someone else is doing the repairs for you, ask them to:

• leave any broken glass in place if possible
• wear gloves and be careful not to touch the inside of any frames
• secure any windows or doors from the outside

Digital forensic opportunities

Any CCTV system, doorbell camera, other video or audio recordings are valuable evidence. Don't switch off any devices or change any settings.

If possible, download footage to include five minutes before and after the incident and keep it safe. Don't delete it from the original device as it is still evidence and may be needed later.

If you are unable to download the footage, leave the device on, and record the time and date shown on the display. When you report the crime, explain you have digital evidence and we'll help you retrieve it.