1. California Department of Justice Bureau of Forensic Services
Evidence Packaging:
A How-To Guide
Terry Spear, John Rush, Jerry Massetti, Jim
Weigand and Mark Traughber
California Department of Justice Bureau of Forensic Services

2. Goals of Evidence Packaging
Protects personnel from possible hazards associated with evidence:
__________ firearm discharge
Biohazards
_________ objects
_________ hazards associated with exposure to ______
Wet _____ material

3. Goals of Evidence Packaging
Protects evidence against:
_______
_________________
Cross-transfer
__________ to victim
Victim to _____________
_________ to scene
Item to ____________
Deterioration

4. Goals of Evidence Packaging
Correctly identifies evidence with
respect to:
Evidence ________:
Evidence _________
What is it?
______ – where was evidence when it was collected
Custodial Agency
_____________________
Provides a unique identifier so it cannot be confused with any other evidence item
Laboratory case and item number

5. Elements of packaging evidence
What type of packaging is optimal?
Plastic: What type of plastic?
• _____________
_________
Paper
•___________
________
•______________

6. Sometimes Paper Containers are Optimal: Biological Samples
Allows a sample that is not completely ____ to finish drying and May prevent the
deterioration of a ________ sample if it is not completely
dry when packaged

7. What Happens When Biological Evidence is Wet?
Evidence “_____” through to the exterior of the container, resulting in:
Sample
__________
Sample ______
Contamination
issues

8. Elements of Packaging Evidence
Does evidence require internal packaging?
______
_____ ________
_____ ______ _______
Syringe tube/”_____” container

9. Glass Fragments Deposited into Large Envelope
Small glass fragments can be lost from poorly sealed envelopes Ideally, these
fragments would
be packaged into a _______ first

10. Sealing Evidence
Sealing evidence properly is a requirement of most crime labs
Issues:
___________ of seal
Need for __________ mark
Where _______is to be placed

11. Sealing Evidence Ways evidence can be sealed
All seals must be ______ to document the person sealing the evidence and ____ to indicate when the evidence was sealed

12. How Not to Seal Evidence
Seal should ________ seal envelope flap

13. How to Correctly Seal Evidence
Tape seal across _____ flap of envelope
Seal is _____ and _____

14. Biological Evidence

15. Packaging Biological Evidence
Insure the sample is _____
Do not dry in a _______ air stream
Use ______ containers
________ evidence when
necessary
“_______”: knifes, broken glass
when stain could be dislodged

16. Recommendations for Collection of Biological Evidence
______ and _______ stains separately--do not allow separate stains to come into contact with one another
Sheets of ______ can be used to minimize
contact of stains on a bloodstained garment
Consider packaging all biological samples _________
A bloodstain swab and its control can be separately packed into two coin envelopes and then both envelopes can be placed into the same larger envelope

17. Packaging a Wet Bloodstain on a Swab
After samples are _____, package the bloodstain sample and the control into
separate coin
________

18. Packaging Bloody Clothing
Place ________ between stained areas so as to prevent stain _________

19. How to Properly Package a Bloody Knife
Use a ________ box (not airtight) _________ knife to protect both personnel & the
blood sample on
blade

20. Packaging Trace Evidence
Items must be ____________ examined and trace evidence identified
Trace evidence can be removed with ______ and placed into appropriate packaging
Trace evidence can also be removed with ____ _____
Packaging must be appropriately sized & designed so that this small evidence cannot _____ _____of the container

21. Glass Fragments
Glass fragments are small and can be lost from _____ sealed envelopes

22. First Step: Placing Glass Evidence into a Bindle
The glass is _______ and placed into a paper bindle. The _____ is then sealed
before it is
inserted into an _______.

23. Firearms Evidence

24. Packaging Firearms Evidence
Record all necessary information about _________ of firearm:
Position of ______, _____, & other controls
Number and location of _____ and _____ cartridges
Presence of powder residue “_____” on
revolver cylinder face
_____ or _____ evidence visible on gun exterior

25. Handling Firearms Evidence
This weapon is loaded and ready to fire
_______________ ______________
Remove the ______ & make sure chamber is _______

26. Handling Firearms Evidence
Once the firearm has been _______ safe, it can be placed into a cardboard box and
___________ with a plastic tie
Make sure the tie goes _______ the trigger

27. Handling Firearms Evidence
Fired bullets need to be carefully handled to protect _____ _______on the bullet
surface and any
adhering ____ evidence
Do NOT mark bullet

28. Drug Evidence

29. Packaging Drug Evidence
Drug Evidence Packaging needs to accommodate:
______ characteristics of drug evidence:
Different drugs have different possible health hazards to personnel handling exhibits
• S o m e d r u g s are very _______ in small amounts
•_________samples
_______
Multiple forms
•Powders, sticky tar, residues, plant material

30. Appropriate Packaging Materials for Some Drug Evidence
______ pouches
Safely contain most drug evidence & protect personnel against unnecessary _______
Need to be _____ sealed
Airtight
Not good for fresh ______ material

31. Choose an Appropriate Sized Container
Do not place a _____ amount of powder in container that is too _____
Powder is difficult to recover because _________ charge causes it to disperse and cling to plastic surfaces

32. Inappropriate Packaging Materials
Do not use sealed ___________ containers to package _____ or _____
plant material - Evidence can get moldy Use ______ envelopes or bags–
They allow fresh plant material to ____