How small items of evidence are packaged?

How small items of evidence are packaged?

All small transportable items should be packaged in paper bags or envelopes and sent to the crime lab for processing. Because of the “package it up and send it to the lab” mentality, some investigators skim over collecting prints at a crime scene.

How is evidence marked?

Before you ever go to court, think about the evidence you want to use to prove your case. Mark each piece of evidence with an exhibit number (attach a sticker labeled “Exhibit 1,” “Exhibit 2,” etc.). Bring these marked Exhibits with you to court.

What determines how evidence is packaged?

Items of evidence must be properly sealed with evidence tape (must initial/date over evidence tape) and clearly marked with your agency inventory number and description. Each item of evidence should be packaged individually, and pre-logged as an individual item.

What must be included when sealing packaged evidence?

Evidence must be handled and packaged to minimize deterioration and contamination. Evidence tape is the preferred sealing method. Seals must be marked with initials of the officer and the date sealed. Any evidence for which Forensic Biology/DNA analysis may be requested must be handled with clean techniques.

What is an example of transient evidence?

Transient evidence is a type of evidence that has no meaning or that by its very nature can be easily changed or lost. For instance, transient evidence includes temperature, odor, blood in the rain, and some biological and physical phenomenon.

How do you bag different types of evidence?

There’s a simple rule of thumb for deciding which type of evidence packaging—wet evidence goes in paper containers (wet evidence can degrade if placed inside plastic containers) and dry evidence goes in plastic. Items that could be cross-contaminated must be packaged separately.

Which type of evidence should never be packaged in plastic containers?

What evidence goes in a plastic bag?

Paper or Plastic? There’s a simple rule of thumb for deciding which type of evidence packaging—wet evidence goes in paper containers (wet evidence can degrade if placed inside plastic containers) and dry evidence goes in plastic. Items that could be cross-contaminated must be packaged separately.

How do you preserve hair evidence?

Submit individual hairs and fibers in clean paper or in an envelope with sealed corners. The primary paper or envelope should be placed inside a secondary sealed envelope with all corners taped. Many times individual hairs identified on items of clothing are not removed or secured.

What type of evidence goes in a plastic bag?

What can degrade a biological sample collected as evidence?

Improperly used, bleach could destroy biological evidence. There will be occasions when it is not possible to collect a stain by cutting it from an object (e.g. stain is on a concrete floor). It may be useful to test the “unstained” area with an appropriate presumptive test to see if it contains a biological sample.