Final answer:
Forensic scientists and forensic anthropologists are primarily responsible for documenting a crime scene and collecting physical evidence. Their documentation becomes an essential part of the legal process, aiding future research and analysis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The individuals responsible for documenting the crime scene in detail and collecting physical evidence are typically forensic scientists. Forensic scientists use their expertise in biology, chemistry, and other scientific disciplines to examine trace materials associated with crimes. They play a crucial role in the justice system by providing scientific evidence for use in courts. They meticulously document the crime scene and carefully collect evidence such as hair, blood, other body fluids, and DNA, which serves as a crucial collection of clues to what happened during the crime.
Additionally, forensic anthropologists contribute by using their knowledge of human skeletal remains, determining factors like age, sex, race, and height of any discovered remains, although they do not decide the cause of death. That determination is made by a forensic pathologist who integrates all data collected by the forensic team. This careful and proper documentation is vitally important as it becomes part of the archaeological record and contributes to the ongoing research and analysis that supports future legal proceedings.