When we uncover a clue possibly related to the case we're working on, the team leader will report it to the command post (CP) and they will tell us what to do with it. We won't report 20-year old rusted beer cans but we will report anything of interest really. Even a cigarette butt can be an important item depending on the situation. If CP requests that we collect the item, we will pick it up with gloves, pack it up properly and take it back to the CP for further examination. If not, we'll ignore and keep going.

If for any reason the CP is temporarily unreachable using radios or even cell phones (can happen in extremely rugged terrain, valleys, etc.), the team leader will decide what to do with such findings.

If we really come upon a crime scene, the whole team knows what to do. We are trained accordingly by provincial police in line with the "provincial volunteer search and rescue program". For example, we will attempt to protect a crime scene from the elements in bad weather by deploying a tarp. That's just one example. I'm telling you... we really are what they call "unpaid professionals".

@Jeff_McCann: Thank you my friend. Most searches take place in the worst pouring rains or snow storms. Why? Because in these situations it becomes even more urgent to find a missing person (hypothermia becoming a real threat).