In a suspected terrorist incident, evidence collection is primarily the responsibility of which entity?

• A. Fire Department
• B. HazMat Team
• C. Public Health
• D. Law Enforcement

Answer: (D)

Treating a suspected terrorist incident as a crime scene, the responsibility for collecting evidence falls to law enforcement. They’re the ones trained to secure the area, control access, document conditions, and maintain a strict chain of custody so physical and digital evidence can be analyzed and used in investigations or prosecutions. They coordinate with HazMat teams if hazardous materials are involved, with public health for exposure concerns, and with fire services for life safety, but the primary task of gathering and preserving evidence belongs to law enforcement. This ensures the integrity of evidence from collection through analysis to courtroom presentation.