TOPIC:

STORAGE OF EVIDENCES FROM CRIME SCENE

CONTENTS

Introduction
 Collection of Evidences
 Preservation of Evidences

Types of evidences and preservation

 Blood and Body Fluids
 Firearms and Tool marks
 Shoeprints and Tire marks
 Fracture Marks
 Hair
 Fibres
 Clothing
 Paint Residues
 Glass
 Money and Documents
 Controlled Dangerous Substances
 Volatile and Hazardous substances
 Other Trace Evidences

Conclusion
References
Introduction
“Physical evidence cannot be wrong; it cannot perjure itself; it cannot be wholly absent. Only its
interpretation can err. Only human failure to find it, study and understand it can diminish its
value.”(Crime(UNODC), 2009)
Preserving evidence should be the top priority of those entrusted with gathering and collecting
evidence. Evidence collection protocols apply to both pre-collection and post-collection
evidence. If evidence is not properly preserved prior to collection, it may be contaminated or
destroyed. If evidence is not properly preserved and stored prior to forensic analysis or testing, it
may deteriorate, destroying or devaluing it as a source of information. When collecting evidence,
we must understand and employ a variety of evidence preservation protocols, depending on the
type of evidence. Some guidelines apply to all evidence, whilst there are limitations on the
number of individuals allowed to handle the evidence, use of safeguards to minimize
contamination, proper collection documentation, acceptable chain-of-evidence documentation,
and evidence appropriate storage. As evidence collection methodologies improve, forensic
experts develop new protocols to preserve that evidence. The collection process will usually start
with the collection of the most fragile or most easily lost evidence. Special consideration can also
be given to any evidence or objects which need to be moved. Collection can then continue along
the crime scene trail or in some other logical manner.(Mahoney, 2019)
Collection of evidence
An investigator should carefully collect the most fragile evidence first, before disturbing the
scene by removing larger, heavier, or less fragile evidence. Otherwise, an investigator should
begin by systematically collecting the “top” layer of evidence, allowing him to then memorialize
or photograph what he finds beneath that evidence. An investigator should collect evidence in a
sterile, careful, and precise manner, using sterile instruments, such as tweezers. Any items which
may cross contaminate each other must be packaged separately. The containers should be
closed and secured to prevent the mixture of evidence during transportation. Each container
should have the collecting person's initials; the date and time it was collected; a complete
description of the evidence and where it was found; and the investigating agency's name and
their file number
Preservation of Evidence
An investigator should place most evidence into paper containers, such as bags and envelopes;
evidence packaged in plastic bags may be exposed to moisture, hastening deterioration and
risking environmental contamination, such as mold, and the destruction of useable DNA or other
trace evidence. Investigators should not package moist evidence until it is thoroughly dry and or
seal collection bags or envelopes prematurely. Most evidence should be stored at room
temperature, unless it is liquid evidence, in which case it should be refrigerated and packaged in
a sterile glass or plastic bottle. An investigator is responsible for appropriately labeling all
evidence collection containers with the case number, collection location, date and time, and his
identifying information. He should log all collected evidence on a separate document, for later
reference.(Committee, 2013)
TYPES EVIDENCE AND PRESERVATION
 Blood and Body Fluids
Dried blood and body fluid stains should be collected in the following manner: If the stained
object can be transported back to the crime lab, then package it in a paper bag or envelope and
send it to the lab; if the object cannot be transported, then either use fingerprint tape and lift it
like a fingerprint and place the tape on a lift back; scrape the stain into a paper packet and
package it in a paper envelope; or absorb the stain onto half-inch long threads moistened with
distilled water. The threads must be air dried before permanently packaging. For transportation
purposes and to prevent cross contamination, the threads may be placed into a plastic
container for no more than two hours. Once in a secure location, the threads must be
removed from the plastic and allowed to air dry. They may then be repackaged into a
paper packet and placed in a paper envelope. Wet blood and body fluid stains should be
collected in the following manner: all items should be packaged separately to prevent cross
contamination, if the item can be transported to the crime lab, then package it in a paper bag (or
plastic bag if the transportation time is under two hours), bring it to a secure place and allow it to
thoroughly air dry, then repackage it in a paper bag. If the item cannot be transported back to the
lab, then absorb the stain onto a small (1"x1") square of pre-cleaned 100% cotton sheeting.
Package it in paper (or plastic if the transportation time is less than two hours), bring it to a
secure place and allow it to thoroughly air dry; then repackage it in a paper envelope. Under no
circumstances should wet or moist items remain in plastic or paper containers for more than two
hours. Victim and suspect's known whole blood samples will have to be collected in yellow, red,
or purple top "Vacutainers." Contact the lab to which the samples will be submitted for specific
information.

 Firearms and Tool-marks

Bullets and casings found at the crime scene can be positively matched back to a gun in the
possession of a suspect. Bullets and casings can also be examined at the crime lab and sometimes
tell an investigator what make and model of weapons may have expended the casing or bullet. A
bullet found at the crime scene can sometimes be matched back to the same lot of ammunition
found in a suspect's possession. Tool-marks can be positively matched to a tool in the suspect's
possession. Firearm safety is a must at any crime scene. If a firearm must be moved at a crime
scene, never move it by placing a pencil in the barrel or inside the trigger guard. Not only is this
unsafe, but it could damage potential evidence. The gun can be picked up by the textured surface
on the grips without fear of placing unnecessary fingerprints on the weapon. Before picking up
the gun, make sure that the gun barrel is not pointed at anyone. Keep notes on the condition of
the weapon was found and stops taken to render it as safe as possible without damaging potential
evidence. The firearm can then be processed for prints and finally rendered completely safe.
Firearms must be rendered safe before submission to the crime lab. The firearm should be
packaged in an envelope or paper bag separately from the ammunition and/or magazine. The
ammunition and or magazine should be placed in a paper envelope or bag. It is important that the
ammunition found in the gun be submitted to the crime lab. Any boxes of similar ammunition
found in a suspect's possession should also be placed in a paper container and sent to the crime
lab. Casings and/or bullets found at the crime scene should be packaged separately and placed in
paper envelopes or small cardboard pillboxes. If knives (or other sharp objects) are being
submitted to the lab (for tool-marks, fingerprints, serology, etc.), then the blade and point should
be wrapped in stiff unmovable cardboard and placed in a paper bag or envelope. The container
should be labelled to warn that the contents are sharp and precautions should be taken. This is to
prevent anyone from being injured.(Committee, 2013)

 Shoe-prints and Tire Tracks

Shoeprints and tire tracks can be matched positively to a pair of shoes or to tires in a suspect's
possession. Shoeprints and tire tracks can sometimes tell investigators what type of shoes or tires
to look for when searching a suspect's residence or vehicles. Before any attempt is made at
collecting shoeprints or tire tracks, one-to-one photographs should be made using a tripod, ruler,
and level. The flash should be held at about 45 degree angles from the surface containing an
impression. Casts can be made of impressions using dental stone. Once hardened, the cast can be
packaged in paper and submitted to the lab. When photographing prints on hard flat surfaces the
flash should be used as side lighting. Shoeprints on hard flat surfaces can also sometimes be
lifted like a fingerprint. Dust prints on certain surfaces can be lifted with an electrostatic dust
print-lifter.
 Fracture Marks
Fracture matches can positively link broken pieces at the scene with pieces found in the
possession of a suspect. For example, headlight fragments found at the scene of a hit and run
could be positively matched to a broken headlight (just like putting together a jigsaw puzzle) on
a suspect's vehicle. Larger fragments should be placed in paper bags or envelopes. Smaller
fragments should be placed in a paper packet and then placed in an envelope.

 Hair
If a root sheath is attached, then DNA analysis using PCR technology can say that this hair came
from a certain percentage of the population to which the suspect belongs. If there is no root
sheath, then a microscopic analysis can say that the hair has the same characteristics as the
suspect's hair and is similar to his or her hair. At this point, no one can say that a hair came from
a particular individual. Hair found at the scene should be placed in a paper packet and then
placed in an envelope. If a microscopic examination is required, then 15-20 representative hairs
from the suspect must be submitted to the lab for comparison. If DNA analysis if going to be
used, then a whole blood sample from the suspect must be submitted to the lab in a "Vacutainer."
Contact a DNA lab for more information.

 Fibres
Fibres can be said that they are the same type and color as those found in a suspect's clothes,
residence, vehicle, etc. Fibres should be collected in a paper packet and placed in an envelope.
Representative fibre’s should be collected from a suspect and submitted to the lab for
comparison.
 Clothing
Wet clothing collected as evidence should be dried in a bio-hazard drying chamber as described
in section. If more than one piece of clothing is collected in conjunction with an incident, each
piece of clothing will be marked, packaged, and tagged individually to prevent contamination.
Wet clothing collected from different sources should be dried separately to prevent cross
contamination.

 Paint Residues
Paint can be said that it is the same type and color as paint found in the possession of a suspect.
Paint fragments should be collected in a paper packet and placed in an envelope. Representative
paint chips or samples should be collected from the suspect and submitted to the lab for
comparison.
 Glass
Glass can be said that it has the same characteristics as glass found in the possession of a suspect.
Smaller glass fragments should be placed in a paper packet and then in an envelope. Larger
pieces should be wrapped securely in paper or cardboard and then placed in a padded cardboard
box to prevent further breakage. Representative samples from the suspect should be submitted to
the lab for comparison.
 Money and Documents
Documents that are wet will be handled in the same manner as wet clothing. An accurate count
of money is the responsibility of the submitting officer. Depending on the situation, the
submitting officer should consider having second HPD or other law enforcement employee assist
to ensure an accurate count.
 Controlled dangerous substances
All Controlled dangerous substances evidence will be sealed in tamper proof evidence
packaging. The evidence package or property tag will list all exhibits contained within. When
hypodermic syringes are submitted as evidence, the submitting officer will package the needle or
syringe in a specialized syringe safety container. The containers consist of a plastic cylinder with
a Styrofoam bottom. The needle of the syringe is embedded into the Styrofoam, and the
container is sealed before submission to the Evidence Room. Items which can be counted pills,
capsules, individual baggies, marijuana cigarettes, will be counted before packaging, and the
exact number will be recorded. The quantity will also be noted in the Report.
 Volatile/ Hazardous substances
Volatile fluid of evidentiary value will be stored in the evidence room in metal containers. A
maximum of one pint will be stored. Excess volatile fluid will be disposed of in accordance with
environmental regulations and Fire Department procedures for hazardous waste materials.
Fireworks, road flares, fuses, or ammunition less than .50 calibers may be submitted. All other
explosives will be considered unsafe. No explosives, dangerous chemicals, nuclear material will
be submitted to the evidence room. Such material will be photographed and safely disposed of
according to applicable prescribed laws.
 Every incident, be it a crime, accident, natural disaster, armed conflict, or other, leaves traces at
the scene. The goal of the subsequent investigation is to correctly interpret the facts, reconstruct
the events and understand what happened. Due to the transient and fragile nature of those traces,
their reliability and the preservation of their physical integrity depend to a very large extent on
initial actions at the scene of the incident.(Crime(UNODC), 2009)

 Other Trace Evidence

Sometimes during the commission of a crime, there are other items which may be transferred to
a perpetrator from the scene or from the perpetrator to the scene (sheetrock, safe insulation. etc.).
The guidelines for collecting the evidence and obtaining known samples are about the same as
for paint and fibers. For specific information’s we have to our nearby forensic labs.(Ph.d, 1976)

Conclusion:
“Physical evidences cannot be intimidated. It does not forget. Its sits there and waits to be
detected, preserved, evaluated and explained”- as quoted by Herbert Leon MacDonnell an expert
in Blood Splatter Analysis and inventor of MAGNA Brush Fingerprint device.
The integrity of evidence is best maintained when the item is kept in its original condition as
found at the crime site. Physical evidences must be handled and preserved in a way that prevents
any change from taking place between the time it is removed from the crime scene and the time
it is received by the crime laboratory. Packaging evidence separately prevents damage through
contact and prevents cross-contamination. Lack of protective measures can result in the
destruction of important evidence and thus misdirect investigators and adversely influence the
final result of the investigation. In the worst situation it may prevent the solution of the case or a
wrong verdict. And in reality only those rare few cases make it up to the court that proceeds with
good forensic evidences. It’s impossible in today’s world, everywhere and for anyone to believe
anything on insufficient evidence. Therefore as future researchers or experts in any branch of
forensic science it’s our duty and responsibility to preserve and provide evidences in whatever
we do.