If a dead body is found on the crime scene, the person that must release the scene is...

• A. First responding officer
• B. Lead investigator
• C. Medical examiner
• D. Detective supervisor

Answer: (B)

Controlling and releasing a crime scene is the lead investigator’s responsibility. On arrival, this person takes charge of on-scene operations, ensures all evidence is properly documented, collected, labeled, and logged, and confirms that the scene has been processed before letting it be cleared. This authority comes from coordinating the investigation and preserving the integrity of the evidence and chain of custody. The first responding officer secures the area and preserves conditions, but does not authorize release. The medical examiner handles the body and determines cause of death, often coordinating the body’s removal, but does not decide when the scene is released. The detective supervisor provides oversight, but the on-scene lead investigator is the one who makes the release decision based on the completion of processing and documentation.