- 01: Introduction
- 02: History
- 03: Propellants, Firearms, and Ammunition Development
- 04: Modern Firearms Manufacture
- 05: Small Arms Ammunition
- 06: Evidence Handling Procedures
- Introduction
- Objectives
- AFTE Knowledge and Ability Factors
- Types of Evidence
- Associative Evidence
- The Crime Scene
- Evidence Submission
- Laboratory Evidence Handling
- Case Tracking Within the Laboratory
- Firearm and Toolmark Examination Considerations
- Selected Bibliography
- 07: Equipment and Instrumentation
- 08: Examination of Firearms
- 09: Cartridge and Shotshell Examination
- 10: Characterization and Evaluation of Fired Projectiles
- 11: Bullet Comparison and Identification
- 12: Gunshot Residue and Distance Determination
- 13: Toolmark Identification
- 14: Communicating Results
- Resources
Laboratory Evidence Handling
Home > Evidence Handling Procedures > Laboratory Evidence Handling
Most jurisdictions have their own specific requirements in regard to evidence handling.
The general principles are
- safety,
- integrity,
- chain of custody.
Safety
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Unsafely packaged evidence
Click for larger imageUpon arrival at the laboratory evidence reception area, a number of initial safety concerns must be addressed. Depending upon the protocols of a given laboratory, these safety concerns are the responsibility of the evidence reception personnel and/or the examiner initially receiving the evidence.
Safety concerns include the following areas:
- Determine that each firearm is in a safe (properly unloaded) condition.
- Evaluate the safe packaging of potential biohazards, such as blood-stained clothing.
- Ensure that any tool considered a sharp is properly packaged and contained.
