When securing a firearm at a crime scene, what should be done if possible?

When securing a firearm at a crime scene, the most appropriate action is to leave it untouched and secure the area. This approach is critical for maintaining the integrity of the evidence. Firearms and other physical evidence can easily be contaminated or altered if handled improperly. By leaving the firearm in its original position, investigators preserve crucial context that may help in understanding the circumstances of the incident.

Securing the area around the firearm ensures that no one else can disrupt the scene or tamper with the evidence until forensic specialists can arrive and process the scene properly. This practice upholds the legal and investigative standards required for evidence collection and analysis, ensuring that it can withstand scrutiny in both investigative and legal contexts.

The other actions suggested would likely compromise the scene or the evidence itself. For instance, moving the firearm to a different location could change its relation to other evidence, and picking it up immediately might lead to accidental loss of fingerprints or other trace evidence. Photographic documentation is indeed important but should be done in a manner that respects the current state of the evidence, which includes not disturbing or moving the firearm.