Common Approach Path
A procedure completed by the FAO is to set out a common approach path, a common approach path is a pathway which leads to the main location of the crime scene. This is a certain route that all people within the scene will follow for numerous reasons, the main being to ensure no contamination towards the scene will occur. The common approach path is set up before any agencies enter the scene as it ensures that no injuries will occur as the path will be a safe route for each individual to take. By following out the procedure effectively and placing the common approach path in the correct place this can contribute to valid evidence collection this is due to no evidence being contaminated within the scene as the agencies will follow the path it will also help the scenes of crime officers located the evidence within the scene. When the FAO completes the common approach path they will take into consideration where the most important pieces of evidence are located, by taking this into consideration they will ensure that the common approach path will lead towards the evidence so that the evidence is over looked, this is an advantage as the FAO has the best knowledge of the scene as they have had more time than the other agencies to understand the type of crime that has been committed.
Common Approach Path within the Soham Murders
Within the Soham murders a common approach path was not used due to the crime scene being located in such an open environment. The bodied of the individuals where found near enough two weeks after the girls disappearance which meant the police had to act upon this quickly and didn't complete all procedures effectively.