What is a common initial step when collecting evidence from a fire scene?

When collecting evidence from a fire scene, it is crucial to use minimal methods for collection to prevent further damage to fragile evidence. This approach helps preserve the integrity of the site and ensures that any physical evidence remains as undisturbed as possible. Fires can alter and destroy evidence rapidly, so it's essential to approach the site with caution and use techniques that minimize interference.

Using minimal methods allows investigators to carefully document and collect evidence without inadvertently contaminating or obliterating critical clues that could help determine the cause of the fire. This careful methodology helps build a more reliable body of evidence for analysis later on in the investigation.

Other steps, while important in the broader investigation process, do not focus on the immediate task of evidence collection from the fire scene itself. Interviewing witnesses, locking down the premises, and contacting arson experts are typically actions that follow the initial evidence collection phase, emphasizing the significance of employing minimal and careful collection methods at the outset.