Collecting evidence procedure

Collecting evidence procedure

•Samples That May be Collected at a Crime Scene. A wide variety of physical evidence can be collected at a scene that is deemed valuable (“probative”) for collection and investigation: biological evidence (e.g., blood, body fluids, hair and other tissues).

Samples That May be Collected at a Crime Scene

•A wide variety of physical evidence can be collected at a scene that is deemed valuable (“probative”) for collection and investigation:

•biological evidence (e.g., blood, body fluids, hair and other tissues)

•latent print evidence (e.g., fingerprints, palm prints, foot prints)

•footwear and tire track evidence

•trace evidence (e.g., fibers, soil, vegetation, glass fragments)

•digital evidence (e.g., cell phone records, Internet logs, email messages)

•tool and tool mark evidence

•drug evidence

•firearm evidence

The evidence collection sequence

•The evidence collection sequence may be based on the following information:

•The scene location: interior, exterior, within a vehicle.

•The condition of the evidence: either fragile or stable.

•Weather conditions which might affect the scene or evidence within.

•Scene management considerations which may alter or contaminate the evidence.

•Additional processing techniques that may need to be conducted at the scene with specialized personnel.

The equipment used in the evidence collection process

The following equipment may be used in the evidence collection process:

•Latex gloves/nitrile gloves (N-DEX, no latex).

• Forceps. (a pair of pincers or tweezers used in surgery or in a laboratory)

•Tweezers.

•Scalpels. (a knife, sometimes detachable blade, as used by a surgeon)

•Swabs.

•Paper bags.

•Plastic bags.

•Cardboard boxes.

•Wrapping paper.

•Hand tools.

•Thermometer.

• Plastic 5 gallon bucket with lid. (cover)

Chain of Custody

•The chain of custody documents the transfer of evidence/property from an investigator to another individual, location or agency.

•The following information is included in the chain of custody:

•• List of evidence: the item number and a brief description.

•• All transfers must include the date and time of transfer.

•• The signature of the individual releasing the evidence to another individual or location.

•• The signature of the individual transporting the evidence.

•• The signature of the individual receiving the evidence from another individual or location.

•• Reason for the transfer as needed.

Reporting

•Two reporting formats may be used by an agency. The crime scene report is used to report crime scene activities and processing results. The second is used when analyzing evidence in the laboratory.

•1- A crime scene report may be used for reporting scene activities. Investigators may

•prepare a draft/outline of their scene report per agency policy and later prepare a final report.

•2- A laboratory examination report is used for reporting evidence analysis performed by laboratory personnel.

•Both types of reports are reviewed. The process may include an administrative and a technical review. Generally, a copy of the completed report is distributed to the prosecutor and the submitting agency. 

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• Muhammad Mobeen Akram