Under LEPRA 2002, what can an officer direct a person to do at a crime scene?

An officer has the authority to direct a person to leave the crime scene or remove a vehicle from the scene under the Law Enforcement (Powers and Responsibilities) Act (LEPRA) 2002. This power is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the crime scene, ensuring that evidence is preserved and that the area can be secured for investigative purposes.

When officers arrive at a crime scene, it’s essential that they minimize the risk of contamination or tampering with evidence, and directing people to vacate the area helps achieve this. Furthermore, by removing vehicles, officers can clear the scene for further investigation and ensure that potential witnesses or involved parties can be assessed without interference.

While collecting personal information and witness accounts can be part of a police investigation, those actions are not necessarily directives that can be enforced in the immediate context of a crime scene. This emphasizes the specific powers officers have to manage the scene effectively for law enforcement purposes.