PHYSICAL EVIDENCE MANUAL - Crime Scene Investigator Network
PHYSICAL EVIDENCE MANUAL - Crime Scene Investigator Network
PHYSICAL EVIDENCE MANUAL - Crime Scene Investigator Network
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Physical Evidence Manual<br />
4.0 GENERAL <strong>EVIDENCE</strong> HANDLING<br />
In any criminal investigation the validity of information derived from examination of the<br />
physical evidence depends upon the care with which the evidence has been protected<br />
from contamination. In other words, if the evidence has been improperly collected,<br />
handled, or stored, its value may be destroyed and no amount of laboratory work will be<br />
of assistance. Therefore, it is important that items of evidence be collected, handled,<br />
and stored in a way that will ensure their integrity. In doing so, the likelihood is<br />
increased that useful information can be obtained by examination and that the item will<br />
be considered admissible in a court of law.<br />
General Evidence Guidelines<br />
• Protect yourself<br />
• Protect the evidence<br />
• Protect others<br />
• Consider all types of forensic evidence<br />
• Chain of custody starts at the crime scene – keep it short<br />
• Document location with notes, sketches, and/or photographs<br />
• Mark evidence and/or packaging with your case number, exhibit number, initials,<br />
date, and description of evidence or as required by your agency<br />
• Package all evidence separately<br />
• Allow wet biological stains to air-dry<br />
• Obtain standards if needed for a comparison of evidence<br />
• Use packaging that is appropriate for the specific type of evidence such as paper<br />
bags, envelopes, plastic bags, cardboard boxes, tamper-proof sealing, etc.<br />
Triage and Prioritization Guidelines<br />
(Refer to this Division’s Triage and Prioritization Guidelines published under a separate<br />
cover.)<br />
Customers of the Division should be aware that when demand for services out paces<br />
the availability of the Division to meet the needs of our customers, we will implement<br />
triage and prioritization guidelines to make sure we work the most important casework<br />
first. We will communicate to our customers when this occurs.<br />
Evidence Collection<br />
Packaging<br />
There are a variety of packaging types that can be used for packaging evidence. The<br />
type you choose depends on the type of evidence, the condition of the evidence, and<br />
the examination(s) you want the laboratory to perform. Use the information in Table 1<br />
Adopted: May 2002<br />
4-4<br />
Revisions: 6<br />
Last Revision: January 31, 2008
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