When I started to write The Unsold Child, I wanted to know how it is really done in a modern police force. The research was fascinating and I can now pass on to you some of the things I found out.
1 The crime scene
The first officer on the scene will almost certainly be a uniformed officer. He or she becomes the First Officer Attending, or FAO will be in charge of the scene until the Senior Investigating officer arrives. Even then, he/she will be responsible for keeping a record of all officers visiting the scene and ensuring that they all wear the appropriate forensic suit.
For most forces in the UK, forensics is separate from investigations. They are known as Scene of Crimes or SOC. In the wake of a certain TV program, some forces now call them CSI. For most forces Scene of crimes have been privatised and Crime Scene Investigators have no police powers. There may be a team of investigators or just one depending on the work. The team leader is known as the Crime Scene Manager. From the moment the CSM arrives, they will be in charge of the crime scene. Detectives only enter at the invitation of the CSM. The only time a detective gets private access to the crime scene is in that short time between their arrival and the arrival of the CSM. This is done for a good reason. Theories should be developed as a result of the evidence, as opposed to looking for evidence to back up a preconceived theory.