- 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
Controlled Access
Home > Evidence Handling Procedures > Case Tracking Within the Laboratory > Controlled Access
The goal in controlling access to evidence is to serve both the needs of the examiner and the need for security. This involves planning, developing protocols, and educating all staff and visitors. When these elements move from paper to practice, the result is layered security, which appropriately limits access to certain areas of the laboratory and to evidence items. Electronic keys are most effective and convenient when integrated into employee identification badges.
Common features of controlled access:
- Limited access to laboratory space, excluding public reception areas
- Evidence reception area access for law enforcement personnel only with suitable identification
- Requirement for an identifiable laboratory point of contact to escort authorized visitors (investigators, prosecutors, etc.) to laboratory operating spaces
- Guest badges/ID for all escorted visitors
- Electronic and/or traditional key access for laboratory employees coded to:
- laboratory common areas,
- relevant discipline workspace, such as decentralized evidence storage facilities, and
- individual examiner evidence lockers within that space.
Regardless of the system employed to control access, provision should be made to ensure that unusual or emergency situations can be addressed, such as:
- Access by fire and rescue personnel. This is often accomplished by posting information for a contact person on the exterior of the building.
- Access to all evidence storage areas by laboratory managers in the event of temporary or permanent absence of examiners. This can be addressed by ensuring access to all appropriate spaces whether by limited issue master keys or broad-access electronic keys.
Biometric Systems
More costly options include advanced biometric methods for access control, such as any or a combination of the following:
- Iris/retinal scans
- Facial recognition systems
- Fingerprint (dermal ridge) recognition
