At a crime scene, MEAL guidelines specify preventing which of the following to preserve evidence?

• A. All of the above
• B. Movement of exhibits
• C. Exhibits being destroyed
• D. Additional material being added

Answer: (A)

Preserving evidence means keeping items exactly as they are found and preventing anything that could alter, contaminate, or misinterpret them. Moving exhibits can change their position or context, which matters for reconstructing events and maintaining the chain of custody. Any destruction, even minor, erodes traces that might be crucial for analysis. Adding new material around or onto exhibits can introduce contaminants or distort the original evidence, leading to faulty conclusions. Because all three risks—movement, destruction, and addition—can compromise the integrity of evidence, the guideline aims to prevent them all. Practical takeaway: secure the scene, limit access, avoid handling items, document and photograph before touching, and keep unrelated material away from evidence. This comprehensive protection is why selecting all of the above is appropriate.