Volunteer EMT arrested for posting murder scene photos on WhatsApp

"We see this often, people who exploit their access to crime scenes and send out pictures that make it harder for us to do our job."

By BEN HARTMAN
Crime scene [illustrative] (photo credit: INGIMAGE)
Crime scene [illustrative]
(photo credit: INGIMAGE)
A volunteer paramedic was arrested on Sunday for taking pictures at a murder scene in Netanya and posting them on the smartphone application WhatsApp, where they were circulated widely.
Sharon subdistrict police spokesman Zivan Freidan said that the pictures were taken in an area that was closed to the press and the public and that the pictures potentially revealed details of the murder not released by investigators.
Freidan said the paramedic was arrested and brought in for questioning, where he was charged with obstruction of justice. He was released on bond, Freidan said, adding that the damage from posting the pictures may already have been done.
“We see this often, people who exploit their access to crime scenes and send out pictures that make it harder for us to do our job. These pictures go all over the place, and then suspects can see them and know details of the crime scene before they are questioned. It lowers the chances a criminal will be caught, and we’ve decided to put an end to it,” he said.
Police have complained repeatedly in the past few years about the leaking of photographs and other evidence on WhatsApp, which can often include information covered under gag orders and which is banned for publication.


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