Section 2
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC.1/Circular.1404 – Guidelines to Assist in the Investigation of the Crimes of Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships – (23 May 2011) - Annex – Guidelines to Assist in the Investigation of the Crimes of Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships - Guidelines to the investigator - Section 2

Section 2

  Securing the Crime Scene and Recovery and Packaging of Exhibits

 The following guidelines are intended to assist the investigator to recover valuable material which after forensic examination by a competent authority may assist in the subsequent identification, arrest and prosecution of the pirates that held the vessel and crew captive.

 The investigator should:

  • .1 Wear fresh protective clothing such as overalls, rubber gloves (for each separate item if practical) as well as have some facial protection, e.g., chemical/dust masks, to give some protection to the investigator himself and to avoid distribution of own fingerprints and biological material on the recovered items.

  • .2 Items in the open and vulnerable to weather conditions should be given priority over those that are enclosed, e.g., Bridge, machinery spaces, cabins, mess room, etc.

  • .3 All items are to be photographed, identified, labelled, and logged at the location found before removal and packaging. The camera should be set to the correct date and time before starting. This will help ensure an accurate visual record which would be of evidential value. The film or digital imaging record will also be subject to evidential value.

Parent topic: Guidelines to the investigator
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