Collecting Evidence

Collecting evidence at a scene is usually accomplished after the search has been completed, rough sketch finished, and photographs taken. It may be advisable under certain conditions to collect various fragile items of evidence as they are found For example, items of evidence that would be destroyed by the elements or become contaminated despite protective measures, and those items that would impede further search should be collected when they are located and _{depicted on the sketch.} The essential factor is that evidence be carefully and properly collected.

When collecting evidence, handle it as little as possible. Rubber gloves may be used.

See table 16-1 for recommended methods for handling specific items that may be collected at a crime scene.

If, during the collection of evidence, you touch a piece of evidence and leave your fingerprints on the article, make a note of it and inform the laboratory personnel if they make an examination of the evidence. Your fingerprint card and that of the victim(s) should be forwarded with latent prints to decrease delay of latent identification

It may be necessary to damage, partially destroy, or otherwise decrease the effectiveness of an article to collect important evidence.

For example, it may be necessary to cut the upholstery on a piece of furniture to obtain an area stained with blood or to cut out a section of a wall to collect fingerprints that cannot be collected by other means. Such action is based on the merits of the individual case. To have a door or window processed at a laboratory or held as evidence, it may be removed from a building.

Ensure that necessary measures are taken to protect the contents of a building or room from which a door or window has been removed.

When collecting evidence at the scene for laboratory analysis, the amounts needed will depend on the type of evidence and the tests to be conducted

Marking Evidence for Identification

When marking evidence, place your initials, the date of discovery, and the time on each item of evidence so that it can be identified by you at a later date. These marks should be placed on the item of evidence as soon after discovery as feasible and in a place least likely to

Table 16-1.-Recommended Methods for Handling Specific Item of Evidence

affect the appearance or monetary or evidentiary value of the item. Evidence that cannot be marked should be placed in a suitable clean container, sealed, and the identifying marks placed on the container. Table 16-2 indicates how and where to mark evidence. Make appropriate notes, to include a description, in your notebook at the time the evidence is marked.

In instances in which several items with the same appearance are collected, place an identifying number on each item and indicate (by the number) in your notes and on the sketch where each item was found

General Evidence Processing

Physical evidence that you obtain must be tagged before it is submitted to the evidence custodian. This action should take place at the scene of the crime when the evidence is collected, at the place of receipt, or as soon thereafter as possible. The tag serves as an aid in the processing and storage of evidence.

Frequently, the successful conclusion of an investigation depends on an accurate evaluation of the evidence. Each item of evidence must be evaluated in relation to all other evidence, individually and collectively.

Your evaluation of evidence begins with the first information received concerning the incident or crime and continues until the investigation has been satisfactorily concluded or discontinued by proper authority. The evaluation may include a discussion of the evidence with supervisors, other investigators, laboratory technicians, or other experts in a given field.

It is your responsibility to ensure that every precaution is taken to preserve physical evidence in the state in which it was received until it is released to the evidence custodian. Preservation includes security and chain of custody. A key-type field safe should be made available to the investigator for temporary storage of evidence during other than normal duty hours.

Table 16-2.-Methods for Marking Evidence

Evidence, once in your possession, is released only to the evidence custodian or another person designated by your supervisor.

The scene is not released until all processing has been completed The release should be effected at the earliest practicable time, particularly in instances in which an activity has been closed or its operations curtailed