What should be done if a new glass lens is suspected to have been installed in a vehicle?

When a new glass lens is suspected to have been installed in a vehicle, removing it for further investigation is crucial. This action allows forensic experts to examine the lens in detail, which can be important in determining its origin, whether it is linked to a crime, or if it has been tampered with.

Investigators often need to collect evidence that can include fingerprints, glass fragments, or any other pertinent details that could be missed if the lens were left in place. By removing the lens, it provides an opportunity to preserve the context of the evidence and ensures that it can be analyzed in a controlled environment, leading to a more thorough investigation.

Leaving it in place might risk contamination or the alteration of the evidence's condition, while photographing it without removing it may not yield the necessary physical clues that can be uncovered through direct examination and analysis. Therefore, removing it is the most appropriate course of action for effective evidence collection and investigation.