- 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
Objectives
Home > Evidence Handling Procedures > Objectives
On successful completion of this topic the student will be able to do the following:
Physical Evidence
- Define physical evidence and give at least three examples
- Describe at least two important reasons for maintaining the integrity of physical evidence
- Articulate the requirements for maintaining the physical integrity of evidence
Biological Evidence
- Define biological evidence and give at least three examples
- Describe at least two important aspects of the collection of biological evidence
- Define touch DNA evidence
Drug Evidence
- Define drug evidence and describe at least three different case situations in which it can be found
- Describe at least two safety issues encountered in drug cases
Other Evidence Types
- Name at least three types of evidence not covered by the previous categories
Class and Individual Characteristics
- Describe the differences between class and individual characteristics
Associative Evidence
- Define associative evidence and give at least three examples
- Describe four factors that are important in determining the value of associative evidence
Crime Scene
- Explain why crime scene integrity is important to the forensic testing of evidence
- Describe at least four factors that are important in conducting an examination of a crime scene
- Define the crime scene examination approaches
- Explain the procedures employed at a crime scene in packaging firearm or toolmark-related evidence
Evidence in the Laboratory
- Define the elements of a letter of transmittal
- Describe laboratory safety concerns
- Describe the processes of evidence reception at laboratories
- Define chain-of-custody procedures for evidence handling within laboratories
- Describe the benefits of computer-based laboratory information management systems (LIMS)
- Define two methods of case assignment
- Describe options for centralized versus decentralized evidence storage in forensic laboratories
- Define the basic requirements of limited and controlled evidence access
- Describe additional considerations for types of evidence having high intrinsic value
- Define laboratory procedures for handling trace evidence commonly associated with firearm/toolmark-related evidence
