Which of the following is a common mistake in information gathering?

• A. Vic should NEVER be treated as a crime scene.
• B. Vic should NEVER be treated as a suspect.
• C. Vic should be treated with respect but not as a crime scene.
• D. Vic should NEVER be treated as a crime scene.

Answer: (D)

In information gathering, you must engage with the survivor as a person, not as a source of evidence to be processed. A common pitfall is treating the survivor’s body, experiences, or words as if they were a crime scene to be dissected. That dehumanizes the person, erodes trust, and can contaminate the information you collect because the survivor may shut down or withhold details if they feel judged or instrumentalized. The best approach is to treat the survivor with dignity and conduct the interview in a trauma‑informed, nonjudgmental way, while handling the physical evidence and scene through proper investigative procedures. Saying that Vic should never be treated as a crime scene encapsulates this boundary and emphasizes avoiding objectifying the person.