- 01: Introduction
- 02: History
- 03: Propellants, Firearms, and Ammunition Development
- 04: Modern Firearms Manufacture
- 05: Small Arms Ammunition
- 06: Evidence Handling Procedures
- 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
- Safety
- Worksheets and Reports
- Selected Bibliography
- Ethics
- Assessments
Biohazard Evidence
Home > Safety > General Guidelines > Biohazard Evidence
Breathable Tyvek® garment bag
Body fluids and other human tissue found on firearms evidence pose health concerns to investigators and crime scene technicians in shooting cases. This most often relates to evidence present in or on blood-soaked or stained clothing, bedclothes, furniture, vehicle upholstery, or other items submitted for gunshot residue analysis and muzzle-to-target distance determinations.
In addition to being dry and appropriately packaged before transfer to the laboratory, evidence containing blood or any body fluid should have biohazard warning labels affixed to the evidence containers to indicate that a potentially infectious material may be present. This labeling warns all concerned to avoid direct contact or exposure to potentially infectious evidentiary materials, whether at the crime scene, in investigative offices, or in laboratory and courtroom environments.
