Property and evidence procedures Flashcards
How are transfers of custody of DEA controlled substances documented?
Transfers are documented on a Property and Evidence Record (Form #263).
Where are narcotics detection canine training aids stored?
Training aids are stored by the Canine Unit supervisor under lock in a secure area.
Who maintains an electronic log for controlled substances used as training aids?
The Canine Unit supervisor or designee maintains the electronic log.
What should be done in case of any loss of controlled substances?
Immediately notify Bureau of Administration and Public Integrity Unit Inspector in writing.
Who inspects controlled substances quarterly and how is it initiated?
Public Integrity Unit Inspector initiates and documents quarterly inspections.
What is the role of the Property and Evidence Unit supervisor during inspections?
Inspect the sealed packages, weigh each package separately, and document any changes.
Who observes the return of sealed packages and what is done during the observation?
Public Integrity Unit Inspector observes the return for damage and weight discrepancies.
When will designated FCCC Bureau of Professional Standards officers book evidence into the Property and Evidence Unit?
Only on Wednesdays during regular business hours.
What employee number does Fayette County Community Corrections always use when entering evidence?
00099.
During which days and hours can outside agency employees pick up items booked into the Property and Evidence Unit?
Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; excluding holidays.
What happens if evidence booked by a department officer on behalf of an outside agency and without local charges is not picked up within 30 days?
It will be shipped to the outside agency by a Property and Evidence Unit employee.
Under what circumstances will vehicle parts related to hit and run collisions be booked into the Property and Evidence Unit?
Only if they are related to a Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) or vehicular assault investigation.
What should officers do with identifiable parts related to hit and run collisions instead of booking them into the unit?
Photograph and upload as digital evidence.
Where should officers refer to for additional information related to booking vehicles?
GO series 1979-01 Vehicle Procedures.
To which procedures should officers refer to for SAECK procedures?
GO series 2016-06 Sexual Assault Investigations.
What should happen to all registered or certified mail received during normal business hours in Central Records?
It will be signed for by a Central Records employee and placed in the Central Records mail room.
How should larger envelopes and all boxes be handled when received through registered or certified mail in Central Records?
They should be entered on the delivery log, and the intended recipient should be notified of their arrival.
What is the purpose of the digital evidence categories?
To assist employees in choosing the correct categories for BWC recordings and other digital evidence.
How can employees seek additional assistance with digital evidence categorization?
By contacting a supervisor if additional assistance is needed.
What does the category ‘Non-Evidentiary’ (01) entail?
It is used for digital evidence with no evidentiary value from situations with no enforcement action.
Provide examples of situations falling under the ‘Evidentiary’ (02) category.
Suspect interviews, victim or witness interviews, collisions with serious injuries, etc.
What is the retention period for ‘Traffic Citation Only’ (03) category?
1 year retention period for digital evidence related to traffic stops with only traffic charges.
Which category is used for digital evidence from traffic stops with a warning citation issued?
Traffic Stop - No Citation (04) with a 30-day retention period.
When should the ‘Arrest/Criminal Citation’ (05) category be used?
For encounters where a criminal citation was issued or an arrest was made.
What is the significance of the ‘Homicide’ (07) category?
It is used for digital evidence related to investigations of homicides and has indefinite retention.
Under what category should digital evidence related to a critical incident be classified?
Under ‘Critical Incident/Response to Resistance’ (08) with a 5-year retention.
Which category has a manual retention schedule and is used for DUI investigations?
‘DUI’ (06) category with recordings considered as confidential for official purposes only.
Where should items such as power equipment or motorcycles with gasoline be placed during normal business hours?
In the small section of the fenced annex cage behind headquarters with accompaniment from a Property and Evidence Unit employee.
After normal business hours, where should items containing gasoline or flammable materials be placed?
The booking employee must place them in the fenced annex cage behind headquarters.
What should employees do if items containing gasoline or flammable materials are leaking?
Employees should use their judgment and not transport them if they are leaking to avoid potential hazards.
Who is responsible for providing the key for the small section of the fenced annex cage after normal business hours?
The key is available from the Property and Evidence Unit or Central Records employees after normal business hours.
Where should a small quantity of consumer fireworks be placed within headquarters?
They should be placed in the metal storage magazine within the small section of the fenced annex cage.
What should be done with large quantities of gasoline or other flammable liquids or combustible materials?
They should be taken by the booking employee and placed in the fenced police impound lot at Fleet Services.
Who is responsible for forwarding an electronic copy of the Property and Evidence Record to the Technical Services Unit supervisor for items placed in the police impound lot?
Property and Evidence Unit employees are responsible for forwarding the electronic copy on the next business day.
What should employees do upon locating explosive items of evidence at a scene?
Employees should not attempt to move or transport these items and must notify a supervisor.
Who should be notified upon taking possession of a large quantity of property or evidence consumer fireworks?
A supervisor should be notified, who is responsible for informing the Hazardous Devices Unit (HDU) to respond.
How should all money, including counterfeit money, be packaged before booking?
Money must be packaged separately from other items and sealed with evidence tape.
When should the total amount of booked money be counted by a booking employee and a supervisor?
When the total amount is five hundred dollars or more, it must be counted by a booking employee and a supervisor.
What should case officers do upon taking possession of a large quantity of consumer fireworks or display fireworks?
They should notify a supervisor, who then contacts the Hazardous Devices Unit (HDU) for response and storage.
What procedure should be followed when money totaling $500 or more is seized?
Take photographs and book the money into evidence.
How long is money typically held as evidence in cases related to controlled substance charges?
180 days.
Where is money stored by the Property and Evidence Unit once under its control?
In the drug/money room located within the property room.
Who is responsible for arranging the deposit of money seized as evidence in a bank after 180 days?
LFUCG Department of Finance.
What should the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office notify when money is held as evidence?
Court, defendant’s attorney, and about the 180-day retention time frame.
What special circumstances may waive the 180-day retention time limit for money held as evidence?
Defendant’s attorney request or DNA on the money.
Which money, when retained as cash, is not subject to the 180-day retention time limit?
Money with special evidentiary value like traceable serial numbers or collectible currency.
How should case officers handle money with special evidentiary value when retained as evidence?
Note reasons for retention on Property and Evidence Record, or consult a prosecutor if unsure.
What happens to foreign currency seized in amounts exceeding $500?
It will be evaluated for currency conversion.
What is the procedure if a service is unsuccessful after a 90-day waiting period?
It will be returned to the fiscal officer for stop payment and a new check will be coordinated.
How should jewelry high in value be packaged and stored?
Packaged separately, sealed with evidence tape, and stored by Property and Evidence Unit employees.
What safety precautions should be taken when handling dangerous drugs and narcotics?
Employees should use personal protective equipment, and substances should be sealed and initialed.
When should all dangerous drugs, narcotics, and non-controlled drugs be booked?
Before the employee goes off duty.
How should a package containing a powdered substance be handled prior to booking?
It should be placed within an approved sealed zipper baggie or similar container.
When should employees log items being booked on Form #350, Evidence and Property Log?
The date, time, case number, and a brief description must be logged.
What are the normal business hours for the property room for employees?
Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays.
What type of packaging materials can employees obtain for property or evidence?
They can obtain packaging materials like envelopes, paper sacks, or boxes.
How should evidence packages be sealed to be considered properly sealed?
Tape shall be used to seal the openings, marked with initials and employee number.
How should found property and personal property be packaged in relation to evidentiary items?
They must be packaged separately from any evidentiary items.
What should be done with items containing possible biohazard material?
They should be properly labeled on the outside of the package.
What should officers not do in terms of human remains as evidence?
Officers shall not book in any human remains as evidence.
How should firearms, knives, and other weapons be handled when booking?
Firearms should be unloaded and packaged separately, knives treated cautiously.
Who should add the category ‘Denied Open Records Request’ to digital evidence?
An Open Records Unit employee
Which category is used for recordings of officers driving to a call they never arrived at?
Emergency Response - Never Arrived
How long should digital evidence related to DOT inspections be retained?
Two years
What is the purpose of the ‘Redaction’ category for digital evidence?
For digital evidence which has been redacted by Open Records Unit employees
Who is authorized to view digital evidence under the ‘Restricted’ category?
Only authorized employees
When should an Officer use the ‘CEW Logs’ category for digital evidence?
For Taser logs uploaded to the current department storage solution
How should crack rocks be weighed during booking?
Crack rocks should be weighed in their package with an approximate weight noted.
What should officers do with syringes not related to a criminal charge?
Syringes not related to a criminal charge should be immediately discarded into a sharps container.
Where should dangerous drugs and narcotics booked after normal business hours be stored?
They should be placed in the designated storage container located in the property annex room.
What is the purpose of the MedReturn Box?
To provide a free, anonymous, safe option to dispose of medications.
How should officers book syringes in relation to a criminal charge?
Syringes should be placed in a clear syringe tube and emptied if testing is anticipated.
What should a booking employee do with items in the fenced annex cage?
Place the items within, lock the cage, and note ‘CAGE’ on Form #350.
When should items not be placed in the fenced annex cage?
If they would not be accepted by a Property and Evidence Unit employee during normal business hours.
How should evidence containing flammable liquids be stored?
In the Division of Fire and Emergency Services Arson Unit storage room after supervisor approval.
What steps should be taken before seizing a computer or storage media device?
Take digital photographs, remove the power cord, and do not access data without proper legal authority.
What should be done in a networked environment before seizing a computer?
Consult the network administrator due to potential network impact.
Under what circumstances can a Computer Forensic Unit employee be requested?
Under special circumstances, like when dealing with multiple computers or a network server.
How long should evidence related to misdemeanor offenses committed against a person be held if prosecution has not been initiated?
Dispose after twelve months five years.
Who is ultimately responsible for the security of all property and evidence under the custody of the Property and Evidence Unit?
The Chief of Police.
What must an officer provide if requesting evidence to be held longer than prescribed?
Explanation in a KYOPS NIBRS Crime Case Supplement.
What records should the Property and Evidence Unit maintain regarding property and evidence?
Records reflecting status, date received/released, description of items, and chain of custody.
What should be done with digital evidence like BWC video if stored on the currently approved solution?
Provide information on the Property and Evidence Disposition Form for proper disposal.
After how many years should records concerning inspections and inventories of property and audits be maintained?
For a period of five (5) years.
Who serves as the department’s property room custodian?
The civilian Property and Evidence Unit supervisor designated by the Chief of Police.
