- 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
Procedures
Home > 3. Evidence Collection > Procedures
Procedures common to all biological evidence collection include the following:
- Submit the entire item, if possible.
- Use a clean or disposable razor blade or scalpel to cut out or scrape the stain.
- Air-dry the stain before packaging (do NOT use heat, fans, or sunlight to dry the stains).
- Collect the control sample using the method for the type of evidence and surface.
- Package each sample separately and label with identifying information and with biohazard designation.
