Exhibit Management

Question 1

What is an exhibit

Answer 1

An exhibit is any item which comes into possession of Police during the course of an investigation, whether or not it is eventually rendered in formal evidence.

Question 2

Purpose of an OC Exhibits

Answer 2

OC exhibits are responsible for establishing and maintaining exhibit management systems and for maintaining the physical security and continuity of al exhibits.

Question 3

In smaller investigation exhibits appreciations may be held to establish:

Answer 3

• The evidential value of each exhibit
• Investigative opportunities presented by each exhibit
• Further enquiries that are needed

Question 4

The OC exhibits must, where appropriate, update the OC investigation with relevant information relating to

Answer 4

• What exhibits have been found, and their movements
• The results of any exhibit examinations
• Whether any further enquiries are required

Question 5

The OC exhibits should only accept an exhibit if:

Answer 5

• The exhibit label contains the exhibit number and operation name
• The exhibit is correctly packaged and sealed, with a visible exhibit label
• Any prompt action necessary to preserve the exhibit has been taken e.g drying

Question 6

Topics covered during a forensic strategy meeting may include

Answer 6

• What examinations ESR and others could conduct on exhibits
• The priority each examination should receive
• Whether any further work is needed to assist a reconstruction.
• A plan for any work to be completed that is required to assist the reconstruction.
• An agreed reconstruction of the events relevant to the crime under investigation.

Question 7

Steps for forwarding an exhibit for examination

Answer 7

• Ensure examination decisions are confirmed through FSM
• Records in IMT or PROP all decisions made about the types of examinations to be conducted and the priority allocated to each.
• Ensure OC has authorised the examination.
• Prepare the necessary documents for ESR or other experts e.g POL143
• Ensure all exhibits are prepared for handover
• Deliver exhibits promptly to avoid deterioration.
• Inform expert undertaking examination if it is no longer required.

Question 8

The OC exhibits is responsible for preparing the exhibits for production at court. This must be done in a manner which

Answer 8

• Clearly demonstrates the evidential value
• Avoids any risk of physical injury, disease, accident, contamination or damage

Question 9

Each person having custody of an exhibit must be able to demonstrate in IMT or PROP:

Answer 9

• When they received custody of the exhibit and from whom
• Where and how the exhibit was securely stored
• When, why and how the exhibit was moved from on place to another
• How the exhibit has been treated, safeguarded and preserved
• When and why they transferred custody to another person, and to whom.

Question 10

The exhibit numbering system should be simple, efficient, and provide the following key attributes:

Answer 10

• Be consistent
• Allow delegation of exhibit numbers to staff who will utilise them
• Cope with multiple scenes
• Be compatible with technology, allowing searching to be conducted using exhibit numbers
• Encompass all exhibits