What is the recommended procedure for handling multiple witnesses at a crime scene?

The recommended procedure for handling multiple witnesses at a crime scene is to separate them as soon as possible. This approach is crucial because it helps prevent witnesses from influencing each other's accounts of the incident. When witnesses discuss what they saw or heard, there's a risk that their memories may become conflated or altered based on what others say. By ensuring that witnesses are interviewed separately, investigators can gather independent testimonies, which enhances the reliability and validity of the information collected. This practice helps to maintain the integrity of each individual witness’s statement, allowing for a clearer understanding of the events that transpired.