PHYSICAL EVIDENCE MANUAL - Crime Scene Investigator Network

Physical Evidence Manual
below or consult the section specific to the type of evidence you have to select the
proper way to package it. All packaging types need to be clean and unused (e.g. no
recycled grocery bags).
Table 1: Evidence Packaging
Packaging Type Uses
Paper bags or envelopes Any biological material that includes marijuana,
psilocybin mushrooms, blood or semen stained
items, condoms, etc. If unable to air-dry prior to
packaging, submit to the laboratory as soon as
possible and notify them that it is a wet sample.
Plastic bags or Ziplocs A non-biological material such as powder drug
samples
Metal cans Arson evidence
Plastic buckets Samples from clandestine laboratories that are
individually packaged in glass vials and set in an
absorbent material (e.g. vermiculite, kitty litter,
etc.) in the plastic bucket.
Glass vials Liquid drug samples, syringe contents, samples
Paper folds 1 and Post-It
notes, then placed into a
clean envelope
from clandestine laboratory, etc.
1
See “Appendix A” for instructions on making paperfolds.
Adopted: May 2002
Revisions: 6
Last Revision: January 31, 2008
Small pieces of trace evidence, hairs, fibers,
minute glass particles, paint chips, residue
amounts of powder drugs, etc. Place inside a
larger paper envelope. Use a Post-It note by
placing the trace evidence on the adhesive and
folding the Post-It in half to cover the adhesive.
Cardboard boxes Firearms, knives, large pieces of plate glass, a
piece of flooring with a shoeprint, etc. Offers
protection from sharp edges and the depth
protects one surface of the evidence from
rubbing.
4-5