Why should investigators avoid unnecessary movement of indicators at a crime scene?

Investigators should avoid unnecessary movement of indicators at a crime scene primarily to maintain the original state and context of the evidence. The physical arrangement of items in a crime scene can provide critical information about what occurred during the incident. Even slight alterations can change the meaning or significance of the evidence, potentially leading to incorrect conclusions.

The context surrounding an item of evidence, including its position and orientation, can help reconstruct events and understand relationships between different pieces of evidence. This context is crucial for analysis and for building a reliable narrative of the crime. Preserving the original state allows forensic experts to accurately interpret the evidence without risk of misrepresentation due to unintended changes.

While avoiding contamination is important, it is a secondary concern compared to maintaining the overall context of the scene. The goal of thorough searching and expediting the investigation process should not compromise the fidelity of the evidence's original state. Thus, the original arrangement of evidence is essential for valid and reliable conclusions in a criminal investigation.