As a first responder at a crime scene, one of your main responsibilities is to?

The primary responsibility of a first responder at a crime scene is to assess the situation and ensure safety. While it may seem that investigating to determine if a crime was committed is the first responder's main duty, this actually encompasses a broader range of actions.

First responders must first secure the scene to prevent contamination of evidence, ensure the safety of individuals involved, and assess the situation for any ongoing threats. Part of their role includes gathering initial information and making observations about the scene, which can lead to determining whether a crime has occurred.

First responders often have the training to identify signs of criminal activity while they secure, protect, and manage the crime scene. Thus, assessing the scene for evidence and potential criminal activity is integral to their responsibilities before any other personnel arrive or take over the investigation. This foundational role helps ensure that the evidence collected later is reliable and that the investigation can proceed effectively.

In contrast, simply waiting for a supervisor or allowing a district investigator to take over without taking any preliminary action would not align with the first responder's duty to act immediately in the interest of public safety and evidence preservation.