- 1: Types of Evidence
- 2: Types of Crime Scenes
- 3: Evidence Collection
- Collection Priority
- Control Samples
- Reference Sample Collection
- Equipment
- Procedures
- Biological Evidence Packaging
- Blood and Body Fluid Collection
- Hair and Fiber
- Wet Stains on Absorbent Surfaces
- Special Situations
- Wet Stains on Nonabsorbent Surfaces
- Dry Stains on Absorbent Surfaces
- Dry Stains on Nonabsorbent Surfaces
- Collecting a Sample From a Smear
- Evidence Marking
- Packaging for Transport
- Chain of Custody
- Preserving Evidence
- Reporting
- Testifying
- Summary
- 04: CODIS
Equipment
Home > 3. Evidence Collection > Equipment
To collect DNA evidence, the following should be stored in a preassembled response kit:
- Latex gloves and related Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
- Swabs (sterile), wooden or plastic.
- Swab boxes or other suitable container for packaging of swabs.
- Tweezers.
- Disposable razor blade or scalpel.
- Scissors.
- Distilled water.
- Bleach sterilization solution ( 1:10), made fresh daily.
- Alcohol pads for cleaning.
- Envelopes or bindle paper.
- Paper wrapping.
- Paper bags.
- Pens/markers.
- Evidence tape.
- Biohazard labels.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to maintain safety and aid in the prevention of cross-contamination includes the following:
- Latex or nitrile gloves.
- Eye protection.
- Paper mask that covers nose and mouth.
- Tyvek white paper body suit.
- Sleeve protectors.
- Shoe covers.
- Hair ne.t
Cleaning Re-usable Implements
When disposable instruments cannot be used in evidence collection, reusable implements must be properly cleaned. Clean the implements between collection of evidence items with a sterilizing solution, such as bleach and water ( 1:10 ) made fresh daily. This procedure includes thorough cleaning with the bleach solution, wiping or rinsing with alcohol or water and drying.
