Packaging Flashcards
how do you preserve evidence
paper
plastic
what does packaging evidence in plastic do?
plastic destroys fingerprints in transport
moisture in plastic creates mold/mildew destroying biological evidence
what to avoid with packaging evidence?
avoid heat and sunlight, keep items at room temperature
what are the exceptions to plastic bags?
drugs going to lab only
currency bags only
first rule for the laboratory
all items must be properly packaged and sealed with correct labeled information and biohazard stickers
second rule for the laboratory
request for laboratory examination form must be correctly filled out
third rule of the laboratory
items will not be accepted in packaging smaller than a 5x7 envelope
fourth rule for the laboratory
make packaging as small as possible for minimal storage, but do not pack items tightly
why can’t envelopes be smaller than 5x7?
-because really small packages get lost
-item packages need to be cut into and resealed several different items
what type of clothing or bedding needs to dry in drying rack before packaging?
wet, bloody clothing, or bedding
use additional ? to separate wet/bloody clothing
wrap in brown paper
steps to packaging wet/bloody evidence?
dry in drying rack
wrap in brown paper
package in brown paper bag
bio hazard sticker
separate victim and suspect items
if bloodstain is wet, how do you keep it from leaking to the other side of the shirt?
use butcher block to separate front from back
types of trace evidence
hair
fibers
soil
glass
paint chips
way to to pick up trace evidence
tweezers
post-it notes
gloved fingers
what to package the trace evidence in?
glassine envelope
druggist fold
primary container - manila envelope
type of primary container
manilla envelope
what should you never store trace evidence with?why?
cotton
because after removing it from the cotton, some of the fiber will stuck onto it
why is plastic bad for trace evidence?
Plastic bad for trace evidence bc a static charge occurs and the hair will pop out and be lost evidence
what is a druggist fold? what type of evidence stored in it?
pharmaceutical fold
perfect for trace evidence (smaller items)
drugs/pills
how to package casings/bullets? package in what?
with tweezers - no metal tweezers
gloved hands
Container i.e. cardboard box with no cotton
(Held in place with stick from cotton swab)
2 types of biological evidence/DNA (Red stain or suspected blood)
dry samples or wet samples
type of PPE to handle dry or wet samples?
wear fresh gloves and mask before sampling
how to collect a dry sample vs wet sample?
dry: moisten a sterile cotton swab with one drop of distilled water and collect sample from surfaces
wet: use as sterile swab (no distilled water)
how to package a dry vs wet sample?
dry: air dry the sample before packaging in PAPER
wet: allow swab to dry before packaging in PAPER
how to store dry sample?
store in swab box/ glassine envelope
what is the primary package for a dry sample and what to add to it?
manilla envelope
biohazard sticker
examples of wet samples
blood
saliva
urine
vomit
obtain as much of a particular sample as possible and necessary. How much?
enough, 1 or 2 swabs
do not package suspect and victim samples together. why?
the potential for cross contamination
what has a small amount of DNA (saliva)?
bitemarks
where do you swab for bitemarks? and what type of swab is used?
do a swab over and around (inside and outside of bitemark)
use double swab technique - 1 wet and 1 dry
why is the double swab technique used?
1 wet swab around the area and let it air dry and package the swab. Then immediately after, 1 dry swab of same exact area to pick up any epithelial cells left behind. Wet swab moistens area, dry swab picks up anything left behind. Package them separately and precisely
what type of evidence is primer residue?
trace evidence
how to collect and package primer residue?
Fold brown paper into clothing with primer residue to prevent transfer of residue
Package in brown paper bag
features of Mikrosil
_rigid___ Container
No Cotton
Package _tool__ Separately
Tool: Protect From Additional Markings
gun are rendered ?
safe
how to handle a found gun?
Use Plastic Zip Tie to Secure to Box
Mark Box as _Unloaded__
Do Not Place Anything in the Barrel or Chamber
what happens if a gun is found in water?
keep it in water because air will cause it to rust
can a magazine be with gun in box?
separate from gun
can ammo be with gun in box?
must be secured in envelope or rigid container
how to package knives/needles/syringes?
Knife Box with Zip Tie
Sharps Container
Bio Hazard Sticker
steps for labeling item
_Item #___
Item description
Case #
_Date_____ (of collection)
Location
Collectors name/initials
what do you seal the packaging with?
seal with packaging tape or red evidence tape: all open seals
do not need packaging and red tape
biohazard sticker if necessary
how to initial labels and seals?
Initial/date all tape seals AND _manufacturer___ seems
Initial tape on each side of packaging
Initial must overlap tape and packaging
Date = date of packaging
ways to protect yourself and your evidence
Wear gloves, change them often
Use _disposable___ instruments or clean them before and after handling each sample
Avoid touching areas where you believe DNA may exist
Avoid coughing, sneezing or even talking/breathing onto sample – wear masks
Avoid touching your face, nose and mouth when collecting and packaging evidence
Treat all samples as a __hazardous__ pathogen – HIV, hepatitis B, TB (airborne)
