The correct handling of a death from gunshot wounds begins at the scene. Here valuable evidence on the body can be lost or altered and bogus evidence may be inadvertently introduced through mishandling of the body. Before a body is touched, its position and appearance should be documented photographically and diagrammatically. The most important rule at the scene is to handle the body as little as possible so as not to dislodge trace evidence that may be clinging to garments or to the body surface. Hands should never be pried open, and fingerprints should never be taken at the scene. Fingerprint ink can either mimic or obscure powder soot as well as introducing contaminating materials that may render subsequent examination of the hands for primer residues of questionable validity. Manipulation of the hands is of even greater potential danger if it is done by a police officer who, theoretically, can transfer primer residues from his hands to those of the deceased....
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