It is SOP for paramedics (in heles or otherwise) at serious injury incidents to cut the clothing off patients. This is done to make sure that no injuries are missed. Because the clothes still belong to someone, the police normally take them from scene.
In those cases, the clothing is not "seized" by the police, but retained to allow them to be returned to the rightful owner idc. Usually, the clothing has no value, but small items such as mobiles are often left in them, and are requested at a later date.
At occurrences with aircraft the police have a dual responsibility with the AAIB (and the CAA a little bit). Whether for their own purposes or that of others preservatipn of evidence is key. The AAIB issues emergency services with standing instructions to help them preserve the scene. Like anyone having to respond on scene, the PCs would need to second guess what the subsequent investigators might want to do.
I detect the possibility of some conspiracy theorists over-emphasising he dark side, when we may simply have a minor cock-up at worst.
Last edited by Helinut; 4th Apr 2009 at 09:50.