Evidence and Packaging

FORENSIC EVIDENCE PACKAGING LAB REPORT

Aim:

Too correctly package evidence found at a crime scene and open packaged evidence in a laboratory.

Introduction:

The main importance of forensic packaging is to avoid cross contamination of evidence. Correct packaging ensures that any evidence sent to either a laboratory or storage unit remains in its original state. Crime scene collection techniques differ depending on the type of evidence and the substrate upon which it is found. For example, when a piece of clothing with a blood stain is sent to a laboratory, it must be correctly packaged so that when the piece of clothing with the blood stain arrives in the laboratory and is examined, accurate results are obtained in regards to who the blood belongs to. Different pieces of evidence require different methods of packaging.

Method:

The first thing done was packaging a dry white t-shirt. Pieces of clothing are usually placed in large brown paper bags. The t-shirt was placed in the bag and the top of the bag folded and sealed with sellotape. The edges were also sealed using sellotape as shown in the diagrams below. A yellow exhibit label was then completed and attached to the bag with information on what was in the bag, where it came from, who it came from and the time and date it was packaged. Another white label was placed at the top of the bag containing the signature of the person who packaged the evidence and date.

The second part involved re-opening packaged evidence received from elsewhere. The bag was opened near the bottom using a scallop, cutting across the bag as far away from the original seal. The evidence had to be confirmed that it matched to the exhibit label information and then analysed.

Results:

SID: 1340713

SID: 1340713

White label with signature of Samantha Cook and date.

White label with signature of Samantha Cook and date.

Evidence bag still in good condition with no damages.

Evidence bag still in good...