kuriteopaiga

Kuriteopaiga, or crime scene, is the Estonian term for the location where a crime has occurred or where evidence related to a crime is believed to be found. It is the primary focus of initial investigation and forensic examination, and its condition often determines what clues remain discoverable.

Responding officers secure the area, control access, and prevent contamination. A perimeter is established, witnesses are separated, and temporary lighting and safety measures are provided. The goal is to preserve the scene's integrity while enabling investigators to conduct a methodical search for physical evidence.

Crime-scene investigators document the scene through notes, photographs, videos, sketches, and sometimes 3D scans. Evidence is collected, logged, and packaged with careful labeling. A chain-of-custody record accompanies each item from collection to laboratory analysis, ensuring its authenticity and admissibility in court.

Crime scenes vary: they may be confined to a single room or extend to multiple locations. In modern practice, both physical and digital crime scenes are processed using standardized procedures to maximize evidence preservation and enable accurate reconstruction of events.