SAMPLING & HANDLING TECHNIQUES

General Principles
In sampling and handling of evidence, an over-arching principle is that the
investigators are not a source of contamination. Secondly, they should be
knowledgeable about sampling techniques as well as handling techniques in order
to safeguard the value of the evidence to be of any use especially if the case is
litigated. Handling also includes following the chain of custody in safekeeping of
evidence.
1. Sufficiency of Samples. Most analytical tests require only a small amount of
sample. But this should not mislead investigators to be content with very
minute samples during the collection process. How much or how little will
depend on the classification of the crime and the type of evidence to be
collected.
2. Standard for Comparison. This serves as a BLANK when the sample is
analyzed. As a blank, the standard will be separately scrutinized, analyzed
and compared to the sample evidence. What will be considered significant
will be the difference between the Standard and the Sample.
3. Maintenance of Individuality. When collecting samples, each evidence must
be treated as a separate piece. This means that samples must not be lumped
into a common container. One piece of evidence must be packed in a
separate container and so are the other pieces of evidence.
4. Labeling and Sealing. Evidence has to be labeled properly in order to identify
what it is, its source, person responsible for collecting the same, date, time
and place it was collected and if the case number is known to be included as
well. If other pertinent information is available, to include the same. Labeling
will prevent the sample from being mixed-up with similar samples and
potentially lose its value if it could not be identified later. Proper sealing of
the container will discourage and eliminate the possibility of tampering and
thereby preserve the value of the evidence.
5. The chain of custody of evidence is a record of individuals who have had
physical possession of the evidence. Documentation is critical to maintaining
the integrity of the chain of custody. Maintaining the chain of custody is vital
for any type of evidence. In addition, if laboratory analysis reveals that DNA
evidence was contaminated, it may be necessary to identify persons who
have handled that evidence.
TYPES OF EVIDENCE
A. Body Fluids
Body fluids are important evidence because they can tell a lot. These type of
evidence can be tested to establish whether a person is involved in a crime or not.
General considerations when dealing with this type of evidence at the
crime scene:
1. Blood and Bloodstains
Before an investigator does any collection, he first must make a precise description
of patterns and extent of any spatters noted in the crime scene. To do this, close-up
and scaled photographs of the bloodstains should be taken. This would be helpful
later to support theories of the crime. Blood samples that may be encountered are
fresh blood, dried blood, or bloodstains.
a. Liquid Blood - Blood that is in liquid pools should be picked up on a gauze pad
or other clean sterile cotton cloth and allowed to dry thoroughly, at room
temperature. It should be refrigerated as soon as possible and brought to the
laboratory as quickly as possible. Delays beyond 48 hours may make the
samples useless. Do not heat stained material or place in bright sunlight to
dry. Hang clothing and similar articles in a room where there is adequate
ventilation. If not completely dry, label and roll in paper or place in a brown
paper bag or box and seal and label. Place only one item in each container.
Do not use plastic containers.
b. Dried Blood Stains - On clothing, if possible, wrap the item in clean paper,
place the article in a brown paper bag or box and seal and label container. Do
not attempt to remove stains from the cloth. On small solid objects, send the
whole stained object to the laboratory. For large solid objects, cover the
stained area with clean paper and seal the edges with tape to prevent loss or
contamination. If not practicable, you may scrape directly into the evidence
envelope using a clean and dry spatula.
2. Saliva - Saliva are oral fluids that are produced by the salivary glands. These
contain enzymes, microorganisms, and could contain traces of drugs, alcohol, and
food left in the mouth. It contains also a rich supply of cells that can be used for
DNA testing. Since saliva evidence mimics that of blood in many respects, it should
be treated the way blood evidence is treated. If found in fabric, it must be air-dried
before packing; if in liquid form, must be placed in an appropriate container, sealed
to prevent tampering, labeled and submitted for processing at the first opportunity.
3. Semen & Seminal Stains. Semen are body fluids that are associated with crimes
against persons especially rape. Since traces of this type of evidence are easily
washed away, it is imperative that the suspect and the suspected apparel be seized
immediately. Fresh semen must be preserved with 10% formalin (Preparation: 1ml
of Formalin in 10ml of distilled water) so that it's value is preserved. Semen stains
should be air-dried and kept inside a paper bag. Plastic bags are avoided because
they have the tendency under humid conditions to sweat and potentially ruin the
evidence. Do not fold or roll over semen-stained areas and ensure that there is no
friction against the stain. To protect the stain from friction, cover it with a piece of
clean paper before it is packed.
4. Sweat. Since these are in most occasions in very small amounts and usually
found adhering to clothes, same precautions must be observed as in sampling and
gathering of blood and saliva evidence.
5. Urine. Urine is relatively easy to obtain. However, it is also the easiest to tamper
with. If feasible, always supervise the sampling. Collect urine samples into clean
vials provided for said purpose. Label the vials as to source date and time collected,
and other pertinent information.

B. Explosives and Incendiaries

-Ensure the safety of the investigator before they enter the crime scene and
perform their task.
- When a large volume of debris is involved, there is a possibility that a
significant amount has been washed away when responders doused the fires.
1. Explosive Debris, Explosive Substances & Devices.
There is a danger that not all explosive material has been detonated. Unless
trained to do so, investigators should not attempt to deactivate these. The effort to
locate these are also subject to standard procedures such as the use of trained
dogs.
2. Arson Debris.
Arson debris can be a collection of a number of materials such as glass,
wood, fabric, concrete, foreign objects and suspected flammable liquids. When
these are encountered in a crime scene, they should be collected and packed
separately consistent with the principle of 'individuality of samples.
C. Fabrics
Fabrics can yield significant information that could lead to the solution of a case. It
could link a suspect to a crime or help develop an airtight case against the least
expected person in a crime. It is a good practice never to disregard any piece of
material found in the crime scene, no matter how insignificant it may served the
time.
1. Large Articles - Do not move any large materials from the positions that you
have discovered them until AFTER proper documentation has been done by
photographing and by sketching.
 Wet surfaces have to be air-dried before packing. If evidence is
too large to fit into the evidence bag, it may be necessary to fold
it. When doing so, take care that the ripped edges of the fabric
are folded in in order not to alter its pattern.
 Large articles such as pillows, cushions, upholstered chairs,
sofas, are packed in large crates or boxes.
 Put the evidence collected in the evidence bag. Mark with
initials, the date and an exhibit number. If possible, collect a
 comparison standard. Comparison standards could be fabric
articles which are found at the crime scene and which could be
compared with fabric or fibers found on the suspect.
2. Small Articles - Small articles of fabric usually require greater attentiveness to
detail as these could occur in amounts that could miss the eye.
 Inspect the body of the victim for small articles that could have
been left by the perpetrator. If there was a struggle, these could
usually be found in the victim's mouth, feet or hands. If the
victim was restrained, then the feet and hands may bear
evidence of small articles.
 If small articles are wet, follow the standard procedure of air-
drying before packing. Make sure these surfaces are covered
with non-abrasive materials before sending.
 Do not fold small articles. Use containers that are large enough
to prevent folding as folding could alter the pattern of thread in
the fabric. Exercise extra care when handling fabric impressions
on paint, metal surfaces and putty in order not to ruin or cause
its deterioration.
 Fabric impressions are more fragile and must be packed
separately.
 Collect a comparison standard. Comparison standards could be
fabric articles which are found at the crime scene and which
could be compared with fabric or fibers found on the suspect.
D. Fingerprints - There are two types of fingerprints: fresh and latent. Unless there
are suspects and victims at the scene of the crime, what are usually found are
latent prints. Latent prints are fingerprints left at the crime of the scene and which
can be accessed by lifting using kits provided for said purpose.
One characteristic of fingerprints is that they disintegrate very rapidly. It is therefore
a matter of first priority to be able to lift as many prints as possible at the first
opportunity and to immediately send the same to the laboratory. When packing
lifted fingerprints, exercise utmost care that they are protected from the possibility
of smudging or further deterioration.
1. Fingerprints On Absorbent Materials.
Do not handle material with your bare hands. Wear surgical gloves so
as not to contaminate the evidence. Hold only to the edges or surfaces as far
as possible from the print.
Do not process the fingerprints unless you have the necessary training
to do so.
Protect the absorbent material from scratching or contact effacing. Put
in a plastic bag. Mark the bag with initials, the date and an exhibit number.
Collect standard fingerprints for comparison when possible.
 2. On Hard Objects. Lifting fingerprints from hard objects involves two steps:
the developing of latent prints and the lifting of the latent print.
3. On Soft Surfaces
 Exercise care when extracting fingerprints from soft surfaces as they
could break in the process and therefore lose their value.
 If the evidence permits, obtain as much excess material surrounding
the impression in order not to disturb or efface the impression.
 When the impression is lifted, secure the material on a stiff cardboard
surface.
 Mark the cardboard surface with your initials, the date, exhibit number
and other important information.
 Cover the impression with a concave material that will ensure that the
fingerprint impression does not come in contact with the packaging or
does not break during transit.
 Collect a comparison standard. Submit the fingerprint impressions to
the laboratory in the condition it was found.

E. Firearms and Ammunitions

 When firearms are involved, investigators are expected to collect any
of the following evidence in the crime scene: firearms, fired bullets,
fired cartridge cases, fired paper shot shells, shot pellets, shot wads
fabric with gunshot residue and bullet holes. Collection, handling, and
preservation of these types of evidence gathered from the scene must
observe standard procedures to ensure that the value of the evidence
is not lost. (A more detailed discussion of procedures are found in
Chapter 9).
F. Food and Drug Specimens
 Food specimens are encountered in cases of poisoning. Drug
specimens are encountered in cases of Drug Use and Abuse. How
these specimens are collected, handled and preserved, will be
discussed in the succeeding lessons.
G. Glass
 It is important to be wearing surgical gloves so as not to contaminate
evidence. Take Glass fragments especially large ones that can contain
hidden fingerprints. So, photographs of the glass fragment patterns
before attempting to move them and should be collected and packed
process for fingerprint or any residue. Glass fragments that are small
and found in the broken window is small, send the whole window to the
laboratory. If too large, separate it from large fragments. Standards for
comparison must be collected if recovered from several samples from
different areas of the window. If automobile glass, collect all that is
remaining at the source.