What is the recommended action when encountering suspicious deaths at a crime scene?

When encountering suspicious deaths at a crime scene, it is important to treat the scene as a homicide until proven otherwise. This approach is grounded in the principle of thorough investigation and the safeguarding of potential evidence. By assuming that the death may be a homicide, officers can maintain a more cautious and comprehensive handling of the scene, ensuring that all possible evidence is preserved for investigation.

This mindset encourages officers to conduct a detailed examination of the scene, collect forensic evidence, and engage in a meticulous documentation process. Such diligence is crucial in building a case, as what might initially appear as a natural or accidental death could—upon further investigation—reveal signs of foul play. Handling the scene with the potential for homicide in mind ensures that investigators do not overlook critical information that could be pivotal in solving the case.

In this context, other options, while they have their merits in specific scenarios, do not align with the best practices for handling suspicious deaths. For instance, simply documenting and leaving a scene undisturbed might overlook necessary evidence collection, and minimizing the number of officers present could impede the gathering of information or the securing of the scene. Immediate contact with detectives might follow, but assuming a homicide initially establishes a proper protocol for investigation.