Packaging Evidence Iowa DCI Crime Lab March 2009
SEALING Evidence All evidence coming into the DCI Lab must be PROPERLY SEALED. The seal should be notated with at least the date you are sealing the evidence and your initials. A staple is not considered a seal A seal is defined as a barrier that must be broken to open an item, the break in the barrier must be easily observed Large oversized and odd shaped pieces of evidence can be sealed by using wide packaging tape to secure the wrapping, then evidence tape can be placed over it and marked.
SEALING Evidence If the contents are escaping the container or if you can lift and replace the evidence tape without damage or alteration to the container or its seal it is not considered sealed. Heat seals must have date you are sealing the evidence and your initials written on the seal
Why a Proper Seal is Important Court Tampering Chain of Custody Laboratory Policy Laboratory Accreditation CALEA Accreditation for DPS Agencies
General Packaging Evidence should be packaged carefully Break/leak Movement/breakage Sharps/Syringes DO NOT SUBMIT SYRINGES TO THE LAB Remove contents of syringe and place in an appropriate container for submission. Water may be needed to remove evidence from syringe All sharps should be placed in a box not a paper bag. Write SHARP or Caution on the box.
General Packaging Biohazard/caution On appropriate items, not needed for drugs Marking of each exhibit Make sure that the evidence is clearly marked so that your agency designation listed on the evidence matches the pre-logged receipt form. Mailing evidence Do not write on the outside of your mailing package that there are either Guns, Drugs or Evidence inside or anything to indicate content. Wet/damp Make sure all wet or damp items are dry before submitting.
Example of a Proper Seal
Example of a Proper Seal
Example of a Proper Seal
Requirements by Section DRUGS: Paper bags green plant material Dry first - Do not submit wet drugs Loose Drugs leakproof packaging Blood/Urine, drugs, and other items from same case can be submitted at same time with pre-logging If for latent prints, note on outer packaging Clan Labs Call Nila Bremer if questions
Requirements by Section Latent Prints No plastic (Except paper items) List multiple items separately 10 print cards/palm prints (each person is a separate item but can package in one envelope) TIF format Preferred for digital images(don t forget the Scale) Print LiveScan cards on-site if possible Often higher quality than compressing image
Requirements by Section Footwear/Tire Tracks NEVER put shoes in plastic bags!!!!! Tires best way is exemplars from tires while still on vehicle contact LP section for? Casts dry and put in box (don t clean) TIF format Preferred (Don t forget the Scale) Flat ruler at level of impression for photos
Requirements by Section Documents Markings on outer packaging (be careful) Brittle/torn documents (cotton backing) Don t staple, paper clip, or write on Process for LP after Documents exam Water Soaked (freeze!) Known/question writing (each person separate item)
Requirements by Section Arson NO paper bags Air tight ex. paint cans Glass OK for liquids Wet Evidence OK Freeze wet evidence if for DNA Fill only up to 80% full
Requirements by Section DNA Dry Breathable container Submit original item if possible or cut out Buccal Swabs / Swabs - difference Sex Assault kits use kit # s RE-31A Temperature - store in ambient conditions Blood samples keep cool
Requirements by Section Biological Samples LEAK PROOF Do not submit needles Tests needing to be performed? Blood only Alcohol testing done currently Urine Alcohol - Grey stopper tubes with 100 mg Sodium Fluoride and an anticoagulant (EDTA) only or will not be tested Void? Approved UA Kit list www.dps.state.ia.us/dci/crime_lab/forensic_toxicology/index.shtml
Requirements by Section Tool Marks Place in box Casts don t write on them directly Gray or brown Mikrosil Package separately
Requirements by Section Trace Fibers pulled and tweezer picked only Paint scrap down to metal Glass submit all of unknown Soil Dry Each area is separate item For fibers, paint, and glass use paper or chemist fold then envelope
Requirements by Section Firearms Unloaded/safe Submit magazine with firearm Box preferred Mark cylinder only No loose ammunition in box Clothing GSR (clean paper and lay flat) Chemically treated please note Mailing Lab does not mail ammunition back
Evidence Room Supplies Evidence tape Permanent markers Wide packaging tape Brown paper bags Plastic evidence bags Gun boxes Biohazard stickers Caution stamp/stickers Plastic gloves Envelopes Safety glasses Syringe containers Tags Brown paper sleeves Centrifuge tubes
Questions? Iowa DCI Crime Lab 515/725-1500 Just mention you have question about packaging evidence
Thanks! Evidence Room Iowa DCI Crime Lab 515/725-1500