Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Module III

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Collection of Evidence Proper Collection, Packaging & Preservation of DNA Evidence

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Learning Objectives  Demonstrate proficiency in at least 2 methods of collecting biological evidence  Recognize at least 2 improper methods of packaging biological evidence  Explain the importance of proper storage of biological evidence

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Rule of “Thumb”  It’s better to collect it and not submit it than to not have collected it at all!  Keep lines of communication open between you and the laboratory

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Remember  Small items – submit entire item  Large items – submit a portion of the item

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Amount to Collect Early DNA - Size of quarter Serology - Size of dime Current DNA - If you can see it, we can try it

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Collection of Blood  Evaluate the item/stain and its probative value  Swab the stain (works best on non-absorbent surfaces)  Scrape the stain  Cut the stain from the item  Collect the item

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Swabbing the Stain  Lightly moisten the swab (distilled or sterile water)  Rub swab over the stain, rotating swab  Use more swabs

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Swabbing the Stain  Concentrated!!  Better to collect it and not use it rather than to lose the sample altogether  Don’t sacrifice other exams!! (latents!)

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Collecting the Item  Recommended When staining pattern is important Item is difficult to swab Item requires multiple exams  Make sure the item is dry  Package to ensure integrity (glass, sharps, breakables)

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Collection of Semen  Evaluate the stain and its probative value  Swab the stain Works best on non-absorbent surfaces  Cut the stain from the item  Collect the item

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Collection of Semen : Condom  If the condom appears “filled” Secure the condom if possible so the inside doesn’t contaminate the outside Small hard container closed with a paperclip a twist-tie an electrical tie

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Possible Victim Vaginal Fluid  From suspect pubic area or fingers Lightly moisten the swab (distilled or sterile) Swab the entire area, rotating the swab Use no more than 2 swabs

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Victim Sexual Assault Kit  Standardized kit to collect pertinent biological evidence from the body of the victim  Contact your local laboratory to determine which kit they use

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Suspect Standard Kit Standardized kit to collect pertinent biological evidence from the body of the suspect Contact your local laboratory to determine which kit they use

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Collection of Hairs/Fibers  Post-It notes placed into envelope or Ziploc bag Straight into Ziploc bag NOT recommended due to static electricity  Gloves or forceps to transfer hair/fiber(s) into a glassine envelope  Vacuum is generally not recommended  Talk to YOUR laboratory!

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Collection of Saliva  From a bitemark: Moisten one swab and swab area of mark Follow with a dry swab to collect any remaining moisture on skin Allow swabs to air dry and package together  From Suspect Pubic Area Refer to vaginal fluid instructions

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Known Saliva (Buccal) Swabs  Known standard  Swab the inside of the cheek area using 2 swabs  Rotating them during collection  Allow swabs to air dry (or place in swab box) and package together  Submit dry swabs as control swabs

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Fingernail Scrapings/Clippings  Collect only when indicated  Clip nails into clean paper with a clean clipper  Separating left and right nails OR  Scrape the underside of each nail onto a clean paper  Package the scrapers inside this paper

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Bone Co-mingled remains, mass graves, skeletal remains, exhumations, airplane crashes Marrow is where blood is made Good to use if no blood is available Best to collect rib bone or vertebrae Place in jar and freeze

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Teeth DNA is in the dental pulp Very resistant to decay Obtained from teeth of mummies Saved baby teeth can be used as secondary DNA standard in missing person cases Collect into pill box

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Organs/Tissue Collect if no blood is available Collect liver or spleen Place in jar and freeze

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Data Bank Samples  Follow your state or local protocol for collecting samples from arrestees and/or convicted offenders

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Plug in Activity  Practice collecting blood evidence  Given a variety of substrates  Demonstrate proficiency in swabbing, lifting, scraping and absorbing blood evidence  Determine advantages and disadvantages for each technique

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. TechniqueAdvantagesDisadvantages Swabbing Lifting Scraping Absorbing Activity 1 Collecting Blood Stains

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Knowledge into Practice  Look at the following items and determine the best way to handle the object

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Knowledge into Practice

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Knowledge into Practice

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Knowledge into Practice

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Knowledge into Practice

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Knowledge into Practice

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Knowledge into Practice

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Knowledge into Practice

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Knowledge into Practice  For the following items, indicate how you would collect the evidence

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Knowledge into Practice

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Knowledge into Practice

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Knowledge into Practice

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Knowledge into Practice  Assuming there is semen on the following items  Identify the best method to collect the evidence: Swab the stain Cut the stain from the item Collect the entire item

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Knowledge into Practice  Carpeting  Mattress  Car seat  Tissues  Diaper  Pants  Linoleum floor  “Sex toy”

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Packaging Materials  Paper bags  Plastic bags*  Pill boxes  Envelopes and note pad  Glass jars  Paint cans  Cardboard boxes  Evidence tape  Specialized materials

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Packaging Techniques Choice of proper container Paper is the packaging material of choice Plastic should only be used when there is danger of liquids (biohazard or other) penetrating paper

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Packaging Techniques Air-Dried Evidence should be allowed to air-dry The optimal method to preserve DNA

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Packaging Techniques Tissue and liquid samples Keep refrigerated

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Caution!! Never freeze liquid tubes of blood Be careful, put glass tubes in plastic bag

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Packaging Techniques  Package items separately when recovered separately  If items found together, then package together Clothing in a pile Cigarettes in an ashtray

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Packaging Techniques  Don’t allow fluids or stains to touch each other or unaffected areas

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Packaging Techniques Minimize interior movement

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Unacceptable  Plastic  Multiple items per bag  Stains still wet  “Mummy wrap” Packaging DNA Evidence Acceptable  Paper  One item per bag  Stains air-dried  Do not overfill bag

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Labeling Packages  Name/initials of the collector  Each person/entity subsequently having custody  Date of collection or transfer  Agency and case #  Victim or suspect name  Brief description of item

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Labeling Packages  Label container before packaging

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Labeling Packages  Label and identify exterior as to content

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Labeling Packages  Label the item with warnings/hazards or other helpful information: Biohazard Sharp Fragile Unloaded Etc.

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Sealing the Package  Seal packages with tape Prevents items from falling in Prevents items from falling out Provides measure of security – evidence can’t be accessed unless seal is broken  Initial across seal or under the seal

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Sealing the Package Acceptable  Scotch tape  Packaging tape Unacceptable  Masking tape  Staples

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Plug in Activity Given 10 items:  Practice identifying the properly packaged evidence  Practice identifying the improperly packaged evidence

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Activity 2 Identifying Properly Packaged Evidence StationPackages GoodBad (explain) a. b. c. d. e. f. g. h.

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Identify the Packaging Error

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Identify the Packaging Error

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Identify the Packaging Error

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Knowledge Into Practice  Review the following items of evidence  Describe how to best package them for preservation and transportation

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Knowledge Into Practice

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Knowledge Into Practice

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Knowledge Into Practice

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Knowledge Into Practice

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Knowledge Into Practice

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Properly Labeled Evidence

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Evidence Preservation & Storage  Lack of evidence preservation can render a probative piece of evidence useless!

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Identify the Storage Error

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Preserving DNA Evidence Acceptable  Keep cool  Bring to lab as soon as possible Unacceptable  Keep warm  Delay in transport to lab

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Trunk Storage

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Summary DO  Air dry before packaging  Use paper  Use separate bags  Use plenty of room  Seal with scotch tape  Initial with permanent marker  Keep item cool

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Summary DON’T Package item still wet Use plastic Clump in one bag Use smallest bag Staple shut Initial with ballpoint pen Keep in trunk in July

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Now What?  Are you familiar with your lab’s DNA testing policies?  Do they… Work all types of cases? Work cases regardless of the submission of a suspect sample? Work both subject and non-subject cases?  Contact lab personnel for assistance in evaluating evidence with respect to the lab’s policies and capabilities

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Time to Submit!  Follow your agency’s and forensic lab’s policies Meet in person? Submit only pre-approved items? Special times & locations for submission? Specific directions? Prioritization? –i.e., if you get results on A, don’t worry about B….  Continue the investigation while waiting for results!

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Review Learning Objectives  Demonstrate proficiency in at least 2 methods of collecting biological evidence  Recognize at least 2 improper methods of packaging biological evidence  Explain the importance of proper storage of biological evidence

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Questions?

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. 15 Minutes ! Break

Advanced Distributed Learning. All Rights Reserved. Film Credits CSI: Las Vegas Season Four Alliance Atlantis Anthony Zuiker-Producer The Andy Griffith Show Desilu Productions For educational purposes only