Create and maintain documentation.
Secure a temporary storage location at collection location.
Include correct and consistent labeling and procedural documentation.
Document collection evidence: type, size, manufacturing markings or serial numbers, noticeable damage or alterations, unusual stains or markings.
Storage
Latex or nitrile gloves
Avoid direct sunlight and/or warmer conditions to avoid degrading DNA more rapidly. (Ex. trunk of a police car). Cool, dry environment is best to preserve biological evidence.
Eye protection
Collection
Arrange for temporary storage at collection site. Helps prevent degradation or contamination.
Tyvek white paper body suit Sleeve protectors
Hair net Ensure reusable implements be sterilized between collections (bleach and water 1:10)
Chain of Custody (COC): Maintaining Admissibility of Evidence in Court
Mislabeled evidence: The police might mislabel a piece of evidence regarding what it is, where and when they found it, and which case it belongs to.
Submit entire item, if possible.
GOAL: Improve admissibility of evidence collected by MAIT officers to 90% as per ORS 40 by May 1, 2023.
Misplaced or lost evidence: Evidence should always be in a specific department or person’s custody. If evidence is misplaced, there may be minutes, hours, or days in which no one can account for who had control over and access to it.
Contamination: Gloves and sterile containers are always necessary to handle evidence. Investigators should not alter the evidence by adding fingerprints to an item or sweating on an object with a biological sample.
Paper mask (cover nose and mouth) Use PPE to maintain safety and aid in prevention of cross-contamination.
Shoe covers
Contaminated crime scenes: The police and other investigators might mishandle a crime scene or specific types of evidence. They might pick up and handle items without gloves. They might gather biological evidence in non-sterile equipment.
Failure to book evidence: Police officers have to document each piece of evidence found during an investigation. Not formally documenting the evidence means something important to your defense might be lost or mishandled.
Sign a COC document when assuming custody of evidence. Include method of delivery. Keep list of requested examinations.
Mark aluminum cans for "Room Temperature Storage". Cold or frozen storage causes condensation on metal, possibly diluting biological evidence.
Liquid samples should be packed in sterile glass or plastic containers and refrigerated ASAP.
Include recovery location, time & date of recovery/receipt, item description including condition, any unusual markings or alterations to the item, identity of person collecting evidence.
Biological evidence should be air-dried to minimize degradation.
Preservation
Avoid folding wet and dried evidence over on itself. This protects bloodstain patterns and prevents cross-contamination between stains on one item. Mark aluminum cans for "Room Temperature Storage". Cold or frozen storage causes condensation on metal, possibly diluting biological evidence.
Common Missteps
Pack liquid samples in sterile glass or plastic and refrigerated ASAP. Avoid placing wet or moist body fluids in plastic bags for long periods. (It promotes bacterial growth and contamination, which can lead to DNA degradation). Packaging
Package each piece of evidence separately Label biohazard designations, as appropriate.
Improper storage: How certain evidence is stored is critical. For example, biological or other DNA evidence might need to be stored at a certain temperature. Becoming too hot will degrade the evidence.
Use appropriate packaging (generally, paper).
Avoid direct sunlight and/or warmer conditions to avoid degrading DNA more rapidly. (Ex. trunk of a police car). Transportation
Use plastic bags for transport of biological evidence only when excessive fluids and/or possible contamination from other people or evidence. Otherwise, use paper (when saturation isn't a possibility).
Chain of Custody (COC): Maintaining Admissibility of Evidence in Court GOAL: Improve admissibility of evidence collected by MAIT officers to 90% as per ORS 40 by May 1, 2023. 1. Create and maintain documentation. 1.1. Include recovery location, time & date of recovery/receipt, item description including condition, any unusual markings or alterations to the item, identity of person collecting evidence. 1.2. Sign a COC document when assuming custody of evidence. Include method of delivery. 1.3. Keep list of requested examinations.
2. Collection 2.1. Secure a temporary storage location at collection location. 2.2. Document collection evidence: type, size, manufacturing markings or serial numbers, noticeable damage or alterations, unusual stains or markings. 2.3. Use PPE to maintain safety and aid in prevention of cross-contamination. 2.3.1. Latex or nitrile gloves 2.3.2. Eye protection 2.3.3. Paper mask (cover nose and mouth) 2.3.4. Tyvek white paper body suit 2.3.5. Sleeve protectors 2.3.6. Shoe covers 2.3.7. Hair net 2.4. Ensure reusable implements be sterilized between collections (bleach and water 1:10) 2.5. Submit entire item, if possible.
3. Preservation 3.1. Biological evidence should be air-dried to minimize degradation. 3.2. Avoid folding wet and dried evidence over on itself. This protects bloodstain patterns and prevents cross-contamination between stains on one item.
3.3. Mark aluminum cans for "Room Temperature Storage". Cold or frozen storage causes condensation on metal, possibly diluting biological evidence.
4. Packaging 4.1. Pack liquid samples in sterile glass or plastic and refrigerated ASAP. 4.2. Avoid placing wet or moist body fluids in plastic bags for long periods. (It promotes bacterial growth and contamination, which can lead to DNA degradation). 4.3. Package each piece of evidence separately 4.4. Label biohazard designations, as appropriate. 4.5. Use appropriate packaging (generally, paper).
5. Transportation 5.1. Avoid direct sunlight and/or warmer conditions to avoid degrading DNA more rapidly. (Ex. trunk of a police car). 5.2. Use plastic bags for transport of biological evidence only when excessive fluids and/or possible contamination from other people or evidence. Otherwise, use paper (when saturation isn't a possibility).
6. Common Missteps 6.1. Contaminated crime scenes: The police and other investigators might mishandle a crime scene or specific types of evidence. They might pick up and handle items without gloves. They might gather biological evidence in non-sterile equipment. 6.2. Mislabeled evidence: The police might mislabel a piece of evidence regarding what it is, where and when they found it, and which case it belongs to. 6.3. Misplaced or lost evidence: Evidence should always be in a specific department or person’s custody. If evidence is misplaced, there may be minutes, hours, or days in which no one can account for who had control over and access to it. 6.4. Failure to book evidence: Police officers have to document each piece of evidence found during an investigation. Not formally documenting the evidence means something important to your defense might be lost or mishandled. 6.5. Contamination: Gloves and sterile containers are always necessary to handle evidence. Investigators should not alter the evidence by adding fingerprints to an item or sweating on an object with a biological sample. 6.6. Improper storage: How certain evidence is stored is critical. For example, biological or other DNA evidence might need to be stored at a certain temperature. Becoming too hot will degrade the evidence.
7. Storage
7.1. Mark aluminum cans for "Room Temperature Storage". Cold or frozen storage causes condensation on metal, possibly diluting biological evidence. 7.2. Include correct and consistent labeling and procedural documentation. 7.3. Liquid samples should be packed in sterile glass or plastic containers and refrigerated ASAP. 7.4. Avoid direct sunlight and/or warmer conditions to avoid degrading DNA more rapidly. (Ex. trunk of a police car). Cool, dry environment is best to preserve biological evidence. 7.5. Arrange for temporary storage at collection site. Helps prevent degradation or contamination.