What is a critical consideration when making a preliminary survey at the crime scene?

A critical consideration when making a preliminary survey at a crime scene is ensuring the scene is contained. This step is vital because containing the scene prevents contamination of evidence and protects the integrity of the investigation. By maintaining an unbroken perimeter around the area, investigators can control access, minimizing the risk of unintended destruction or alteration of physical evidence. This is essential for a successful investigation, as the collection of reliable and uncontaminated evidence is foundational to establishing facts about the crime.

In contrast, while documenting weather conditions, interviewing potential suspects, and counting witnesses can provide valuable information to the investigation, they do not directly address the integrity of the crime scene in the same immediate way. Weather conditions may affect the investigation later, but they do not actively protect the scene. Similarly, interviewing suspects and counting witnesses typically occur after the scene has been contained and the initial survey is completed. Hence, ensuring the crime scene is secure and contained is a priority during the preliminary assessment.