PHYSICAL EVIDENCE MANUAL - Crime Scene Investigator Network

Physical Evidence Manual
Collection and Packaging
Items removed from a body orifice as well as syringe contents should be labeled
with a “BIOHAZARD” label.
Live plant material and other damp/wet evidence should be dried prior to
submission. This includes marijuana, mushrooms, peyote, or opium poppies.
Fresh plant material, when packaged in airtight containers such as plastic bags,
decays rapidly and can inhibit or possibly eliminate the chance for detecting a
controlled substance. Suspected fresh khat should be frozen and submitted as
soon as possible.
Suspected LSD should be kept away from direct light. Potentially spiked liquids
should be submitted in a timely manner.
Drug packaging that needs processing for latent fingerprints should be separated
from the drugs when possible. The evidence for latent fingerprint processing is
then submitted separately from the drugs.
Care should be exercised when packaging more than one exhibit in the same
package. Cross contamination of evidence can occur, especially with bags that
are open, leaking, or have cut corners. All submitted items must be written on
the Form 49.
Adopted: May 2002
Revisions: 6
Last Revision: January 31, 2008
Figure 2: Marijuana leaves on a growing plant. If
you encounter such evidence, uproot the plant
and shake the soil from the roots, allow it to airdry,
and package.
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