- 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
Second Priority
Home > 3. Evidence Collection > Second Priority
The second priority would be to collect swabs from handled items that have been moved, are out of place or do not belong to the resident.
Examples of these are as follows:
- Pry bars.
- Tools.
- Jewelry boxes or watch cases not in their usual location, with the contents missing or scattered (for jewelry boxes that have been moved or the contents removed, use one slightly moistened swab around the edges of the box that would have been touched or held onto when opening it).
- Cash boxes, cash register drawers.
- Keys left behind by suspect.
- Computer connectors or cables left behind if the monitor, printer or the computer was stolen.
Click here for a video demonstration of swabbing a jewelry box.
When sampling this type of evidence, collect as much sample as possible from a single source on a single swab. If the swab becomes very dirty or damaged in the process, use a second swab. If residual moisture remains on an item after using the first swab, use a second dry swab. Concentrate the biological evidence from one item on one swab, on the tip. Collect control samples per agency guidelines.
Click here for a video demonstration of swabbing computer cables.
