Evidence collection, packaging and collec

Evidence collection, packagingEvidence collection, packagingEvidence collection, packagingEvidence collection, packaging

1. What is Evidence? Any object, or Any sensory information, That may be relevant to understanding something that happened or may happen. You never know what may be relevant So the general rule is to stay alert and try to notice as much as possible 1

2. What is Evidence? Anything that tends to prove or disprove something. Words spoken to you Observations that you make Objects that you see or find At the scene or on people present there As small as a hair to as large as a car or larger Documents/photos that you see or know of Hard copies or electronic People’s actions that you observe And any other object or sensory data 2

3. Physical Evidence Physical evidence encompasses any and all objects that can establish that a crime has been committed or can provide a link between a crime and its victim or a crime and its perpetrator . Forensic science begins at the crime scene. The investigator must recognize physical evidence & properly preserve it for laboratory examination. The evidence must be kept in its original condition as much as possible. 3

4. Dealing with Physical Evidence Once found, physical evidence must be collected & stored in a way that preserves its integrity for forensic comparison & analysis. The search for physical evidence must be thorough and systematic, even when suspects are immediately seized.

5. Searching the Crime Scene for Evidence One person should supervise & coordinate. Include all probable entry & exit points in search What to search for will be determined by the particular circumstances of the crime . Examples Homicide Hit-and-run In most crimes, a search for latent fingerprints is required.

6. Methods of Systematic Search

7. Types of Evidence Impression evidence (fingerprint, shoe print, etc.) Identified by sight, ALS or chemical reagent Enhanced by use of special photographic techniques or by chemical developers Collected by lifting tape or molding materials Biological evidence (blood, semen, etc.) Identified by sight, ALS or chemical reagent Collected with sterile swabs Firearms and ammunition (gun, bullet, shell, etc.) Must be rendered safe for transport Stored in paper envelopes, bags, or boxes

8. Types of Evidence Arson evidence (flammables, ignition source, etc.) Locate by sight and smell Place carpet, wood, and absorbent materials in clean paint cans and seal lid Place flammable liquids in glass bottle with tight-fitting lid Chemicals and controlled substances (drugs) Locate by visual observation Chemical field tests are used to classify or identify them at the scene Place liquids or solids in a screw cap jar or vial

9. Types of Evidence Trace evidence (hair, fibers, soil, etc.) May be extremely small or microscopic Collect by forceps, tweezers, scraping, taping, or vacuuming Document and collect questioned and known samples Work in conjunction with medical examiner for homicide evidence collection Microscopic to very large

10. Blood Saliva

11. Trace Evidence Refers to traces of substances transferred by the contact of objects or substances Fibers Hairs Paint chips Glass fragments Body fluids/body parts Explosives/gunshot residue Cosmetics Fingerprints Etc. 11

12. If You Find Trace Evidence or Other Small Evidence Objects Do not disturb it Don’t pick it up or touch it Don’t move it Mentally note and mark (e.g., with a piece of paper) its location Tell a investigator as soon as possible Note or record his/her name Record the time, place and date of the telling 12

13. If Evidence is Observed on Clothing Don’t disturb it Note the location and person its on Tell a police officer as soon as possible Note or record his/her name Record the time, place and date of the telling 13

14. Clothing – General Handling Do not remove clothing unless necessary Do not cut through evidence such as knife or bullet entry/exit holes if possible Look for trace evidence on clothing Removed clothing: Isolate and minimize its handling Do not turn upside down/ roll in paper Bag if possible Wet clothing in a paper (not plastic) bag Not for more than two hours Do not mix clothing from different people in one bag 14

15. Impressions Evidence Tool marks Fracture matches Bite marks Ladder impressions Footprints Tire tracks Fingerprints (such as in chewing gum) Etc. 15

16. Larger Evidence Objects Documents Computers Guns/weapons Anything with fluids or trace evidence attached Roadway debris at an accident Etc. 16

17. If You Find Larger Evidence Do not disturb it Don’t pick it up Don’t move it Mentally note and mark (e.g., with a piece of paper) its location Tell investigator as soon as possible Note or record his/her name Record the time, place and date of the telling 17

18. If You Find a Weapon Do not disturb it Don’t pick it up Don’t move it Note and mark its location Tell a investigator as soon as possible Note or record his/her name Record the time, place and date of the telling Render non-firearms safe by moving or securing them only if necessary Render firearms safe only if really necessary and only if you know how 18

19. Sexual Assaults General advice, aimed at evidence preservation, includes, if possible: Do not allow victim to bathe Do not allow victim to change clothes Do not clean bite marks Do not allow victim to eat or drink in cases of oral penetration In all cases, get concerned investigator to the scene as soon as possible 19

20. Vehicle Accidents Remember the usual rules about limited routes to and from the scene The debris may be evidence Skid marks are evidence Be alert for signs of alcohol or drug abuse Do not discard any clothing Either victim’s or any other involved person Might contain trace evidence 20

21. Collection of Physical Evidence Photograph Have significant evidence photographed before collection. Proper Location of Evidence Describe evidence and its location on appropriate bag or envelope. Proper Labeling Sign and date evidence container. Proper Packaging and Sealing of Evidence Appropriately collect and package evidence to maximize evidence integrity. Evidence should be collected in appropriate containers, wearing gloves

22. Collection of Physical Evidence Containers or envelopes should be sealed with tamper proof tape Seals should be signed Evidence Log and documentation Any collected evidence should have its location and condition documented before it is removed and log should be maintained. Maintaining Chain of Custody forms Use of PPE’s Use appropriate protective equipment (gloves) and methods when dealing with potentially infective evidence (blood). Use of proper tools

23. Collection of Physical Evidence Information On Evidence Packaging The following information should be included on evidence packaging: Location of crime scene Location of evidence at scene and time of collection Personnel who collected the evidence Condition of item at time of collection Chain of Custody log

24. Tools for Evidence Collection Forceps Scalpel Scraper Scissor Swab By hand Tape Lifting Gel Lifting Mould Kits Unbreakable plastic pill bottles Manila envelopes, glass vials, pill boxes

25. Tools for Evidence Collection Paper bags are better than plastic Fire evidence must be kept in an airtight container to prevent evaporation of petroleum residues Clothing must be air-dried & placed in individual paper bags.

26. Packaging Evidence Each item must be placed in a separate container to prevent cross-contamination. The package should be clearly labeled and sealed with evidence tape. Take entire piece of evidence as it is found at the scene, if possible. Wet blood should either dry first and then be scraped or can be collected on a swab.

27. Packaging Evidence Unbreakable plastic pill bottles with pressure lids are excellent containers for hairs, glass, fibers, and other kinds of trace evidence. Manila envelopes, screw-cap glass vials, or cardboard pillboxes are also good containers. Paper bags and boxes can be used for larger and/or heavier pieces of evidence. Ordinary mailing envelopes should not be used because powders will leak out of their corners. Arson evidence is placed in clean paint cans.

28. Packaging Evidence What type of evidence should go in each type of container below? Bloody clothes White powder Glass fragments Burned wood

29. Evidence Packaging Latent print evidence is sometimes considered the most fragile evidence which may be collected at a crime scene. Latent prints may be destroyed by excessive handling or by improper packaging of the evidence. Special precautions and care must be taken in order to minimize the degradation of latent print evidence.

30. Packaging of Evidence Items Non-Porous/Hard Surface Items ( i.e , metal, glass, plastic, etc.) Package in paper bags or cardboard boxes to avoid any movement (don't use plastic bags). If the items are wet let them to dry before packaging or superglue fuming

31. Item secured with a string All items should be packaged separately- one item per bag if possible. Items should be secured within the package to prevent loss of prints. Packaging of Evidence Items

32. Properly seal and put date with initials across evidence tape. Packaging of Evidence Items

33. Don’ts Don’t cover exhibits to be examined for latent prints with evidence tape. Don’t wrap nonporous items in cotton or cloth as they damage or destroy the latent prints.

34. Tape can be mounted on a piece of cardboard using pins or tape. The cardboard piece can then be taped into a box to prevent contaminating the adhesive and to prevent shifting during transport. Latent Prints on Adhesive Tapes

35. How Not to Seal Evidence Seal should completely seal envelope flap Seal should completely seal bag

36. Staples are not an appropriate evidence “seal” Staples ???

37. How to Correctly Seal Evidence Tape seal across entire flap of envelope Seal is initialed and dated Use tamper proof Sealing Tape

38. This is NOT the proper way to package a sharp/bloody knife

39. How to Properly Package a sharp/Bloody Knife Note: Any print in blood needs to be air dried before packaging and submission. In addition, visible prints should be documented and photographed prior to submission.

40. On back of each lift card, record the following information : • Date • Location from which latent print was lifted • Case # • Initials , signature, or employee number of person lifting print • Diagram or sketch with “X” showing the location of the lift Documentation Side of Lift Card Documentation on Lift Card

41. If your fingertips accidentally show on the sticky side of the tape, place an “X” and your initials over your own prints . Front of Lift Card

42. Considerations for collecting/obtaining known exemplars A properly inked and rolled 10-print card should have all ten fingers rolled nail to nail with minimal smears, along with plain impression at the bottom. 10-Print Card

43. SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS All weapons should be submitted to the laboratory unloaded. If for any reason the weapon is loaded, be sure to advise the laboratory of this fact at the time of submission .

44. Sealed Evidence with description

45. Evidence Description with chain of custody log

46. Maintaining Chain of Custody forms Chain of custody is a list of all people who came into possession of an item of evidence. Chain must be established whenever evidence is to be presented in court as an exhibit.

47. Chain of Custody Issues Whenever you mark the location of evidence, tell a police officer about it, or move it, you become part of the chain of custody That’s one reason why it’s important to carry a pad and pen and note what you do, where, and when. Do not release or give any potential evidence to anyone but a police officer unless absolutely necessary 55