It may be two or three days. It depends how long it takes to collect the evidence. The Identification Unit does not want to leave behind anything that might provide valuable information. They need to recognize the evidence that might turn out to be significant. They need to determine what the evidence says and come up with a conclusion that is suggested by the evidence. A single piece of evidence may turn out to be “the piece” in the Crown’s case that causes the person who committed the murder to be identified.
The scene will not be released until the autopsy has been done and the cause of death stated.
What if I need something from the secured scene?
If you need to get medication or personal effects from the secured scene, make your needs known to the officer in charge. If you provide a list of things you need, the authorized people at the scene will get them for you.
Mennonite Central Committee Canada. (2011). Getting through the maze: A guidebook for survivors of homicide.