Barbados Today

Police has expressed concern about public contamination of crime scenes, following videos of the scene of a recent murder in Todds Land, St George, circulating on social media.

The Royal Barbados Police Force’s Public Relations Officer, Acting Inspector Roland Cobbler issued a statement today, on the heels of yesterday’s discovery of the body of 48-year-old of #1 Poole Land, St John resident Kenrick Adolphus Spooner, which had chop wounds to the head.

Lawmen said they have seen video clips of the murder scene and “the behaviour of curious onlookers at the scenes of crime is a major concern for the Force”. “There are instances when civilians converge on scenes before the arrival of police officers,” Cobbler said.

“We are strongly appealing to member of the public who arrive at a crime scene before officers to desist from congregating or walking in the immediate area. This behaviour is likely to have a negative impact on police investigations, since it may result in the crime scene being destroyed or contaminated. As a consequence, evidence which may assist with the investigations may be damaged.”

Police also reiterated their appeal for persons to desist from “posting such horrific incidents on the social media, taking into consideration the emotional trauma it will have on family members.”