What is the first step to preserve evidence on a dumb phone?

The first step to preserve evidence on a dumb phone is to remove the battery. This action is crucial because it helps to prevent any further changes or alterations to the data stored on the device. By removing the battery, you effectively cut off the power supply to the phone, which can help protect the existing data from being overwritten or altered due to automatic updates or other background processes that may occur when the phone is powered on.

Preserving the integrity of the evidence is paramount in an investigation, as any changes to the data could compromise its reliability and admissibility in court. In many cases, digital evidence is delicate and susceptible to changes, which is why securing the device in a way that halts any ongoing processes is vital.

The other options, while important in the overall context of handling evidence, follow the removal of the battery in the proper sequence of actions. Powering on the device could risk altering the evidence, placing it in an evidence bag does not effectively preserve the data integrity first, and documenting the chain of custody, although necessary later in the process, comes after initial evidence preservation steps have been taken.