You're here: MibSAR :: M-P Sourcebook Table of Contents :: Evidence What to Do With Evidence the Police Won't Accept
As more is learned about your case in the months or years to come, the evidence may become relevant, and forensic analysis of it may be needed. And keep in mind that investigators transfer, get promoted, or retire, and a fresh set of eyes on your case, especially by someone with fire in his or her belly, may change the importance of the item.
One of the best ways to preserve evidence is to place the item in a clean, unused, brown paper bag, securing the opening with sticky tape and staples. With an indelible marker, label the bag with: a description of its contents; the victim's name; the date and time secured in the paper bag; the name of the person securing the evidence in the bag; the date, time, and location where the item was originally found, and the name of the person who found it. Before packaging an item, take a couple pictures of it, and make sure it is absolutely dry, otherwise it may mold, which could destroy its potential evidentiary value. Also, always wear clean, unused rubber gloves so you are not contaminating the evidence with your finger prints, DNA (skin cells, hair, bodily fluids), etc. To avoid cross-contamination, avoid putting two or more items in the same paper bag. Because paper bags are breathable, and will release any moisture, they are generally preferable to plastic bags that trap moisture, which often leads to mold. Once the item is properly documented, packaged, and labeled, secure it in a large lockable footlocker for safe storage. Store the locked footlocker in a dry, secure area. This chain-of-custody process — properly documenting, packaging, labeling, securing, and storing potential items of evidence — will go a long way to keeping evidence specimens available for forensic or other analysis in the future as well as helping to increase the chances they will be admissible in a court of law. Detailed information on how to collect and preserve specific types of evidence can be found in the free, forensic manuals listed below.
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This handbook provides guidance and procedures for safe and efficient methods of collecting, preserving, packaging, and shipping evidence. It also describes the forensic examinations performed by the FBI’s Laboratory Division. Contents:
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This handbook is offered in the belief that increased knowledge leads to understanding and that understanding leads to excellence. It describes the types of evidence the Wisconsin Crime Laboratories forensically analyze. Contents:
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This handbook provides an overview of the collection and packaging requirements for items being submitted to Centre of Forensic Sciences laboratories. Contents:
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People who say it cannot be done, should not interrupt those who are doing it. — Author unknown |
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Contact Michael Neiger via e-mail at mneiger@hotmail.com Top |