By Vicent Emong
SOROTI — Police in the South Kyoga Region have warned members of the public against interfering with crime scenes, saying the habit is increasingly affecting investigations and making it difficult to track suspects.
The warning was issued by South Kyoga Regional Police Spokesperson ASP Stephen Mukombe, who urged communities to preserve crime scenes and allow professional investigators to carry out their work effectively.
“When a crime happens—for example, a house break-in or livestock theft—we call upon the public not to tamper with that scene,” Mukombe said.
He explained that crime scenes contain critical evidence that helps investigators identify suspects and reconstruct events surrounding an incident.
“That place where the crime happens is called a scene of crime. When you wake up and find your door broken into, do not step where the suspect stepped,” he cautioned.
Mukombe noted that one of the most effective tools used by police in criminal investigations is the canine unit, commonly known as the police tracking dog.
According to him, these trained dogs rely heavily on scent tracking, meaning any interference with the scene can mislead investigations.
“We have the canine unit which can track the suspect, but this only works when the scene has not been disturbed,” he explained.
The police spokesperson further warned against crowds gathering at crime scenes out of curiosity, saying such actions often contaminate evidence.
“Do not call neighbors to come and see. In many cases, the canine ends up following the first responders instead of the actual suspect,” Mukombe said.
He added that many people unknowingly interfere with investigations because they are unaware of proper procedures.
“Sometimes the dog follows innocent people simply because they stepped into the scene first. That is why preserving the area is very important,” he stressed.
Mukombe extended the warning to serious crimes such as murder, assault, and rape, urging the public to avoid touching or moving anything at such scenes.
“When a body is dumped somewhere or someone is assaulted, do not interfere with the scene. Report immediately to police and keep a safe distance,” he said.
He emphasized that preserving crime scenes could make the difference between solving a case and losing crucial evidence.
“If we receive the report early and the scene is protected, the canine unit can effectively track those involved,” he noted.
Mukombe concluded by calling on communities to work closely with police in fighting crime through responsible behavior and timely reporting.
“It is everyone’s responsibility to help preserve evidence. Whenever a crime occurs, secure the area until police arrive,” he urged.
Police say public cooperation remains essential as law enforcement agencies continue to strengthen crime detection methods using trained canine teams and forensic investigations across the region.
