What are the objectives during a crime scene search?

The objectives during a crime scene search are crucial for successfully gathering evidence and ensuring a thorough investigation. The correct focus is on determining whether a search warrant is needed and locating evidence. This is fundamental because law enforcement cannot legally conduct searches without a warrant or an applicable exception to the warrant requirement. Furthermore, locating evidence at the crime scene is essential, as it lays the groundwork for building a case, identifying potential leads, and securing the scene for further investigation.

While other options include valuable components of criminal investigations, they do not encapsulate the primary objectives of a crime scene search. For instance, detecting motive, gathering evidence, and identifying witnesses or compiling witness statements and checking alibis are typically steps taken after the initial search but are not specifically objectives during the actual search process. Establishing a timeline of events and documenting findings are important, but they are part of the overall investigative strategy rather than the primary goals of the search itself. Thus, the emphasis on the warrant and evidence location aligns best with the core objectives during a crime scene search.