Are You an Evidence Submission Expert?

Procedures for Submitting Physical Evidence for Laboratory Analysis

• The Property and Evidence Custodian is responsible for sending physical evidence requiring laboratory analysis to an accredited crime lab.
• The investigating officer or assigned detective must provide necessary information to the Property and Evidence Section if lab analysis is required.
• Off-scene processing of evidence can be done at the Port Saint Lucie Police Department, but items requiring crime lab analysis will be sent to an accredited crime laboratory.
• The investigating officer or assigned detective requesting an item of evidence for analysis must complete the necessary laboratory submission form and email it to the Property and Evidence Section.
• Evidence collected from the crime scene and from a known source must be submitted to the appropriate crime laboratory as soon as possible after collection.
• Perishable items must be refrigerated in the evidence refrigerator until submission to the appropriate crime laboratory. A refrigerated evidence storage locker is available for temporary secured storage of perishable evidence submitted outside of normal business hours.
• The investigating officer, assigned detective, or Crime Scene Technician must cooperate with the State Attorney's Office and the appropriate crime laboratory to ensure timely submission of needed evidence.
• If there is a delay in submitting evidence, the investigating officer or assigned detective must notify the State Attorney’s Office, appropriate Crime Laboratory, and any involved person requiring knowledge of the delay.
• The chain of custody of physical evidence submitted to a laboratory for examination must be maintained, with the Property and Evidence Technician receiving the evidence signing the property receipt and indicating which laboratory the evidence was sent to along with the date and time received.
• Evidence being submitted to a crime laboratory outside of the Regional Laboratory must be submitted according to the specific submission requirements of the laboratory to which it is being sent and the requirements of the specific postal service utilized to transport/deliver the evidence.
• When delivered to the U.S. Post Office or other mail carrier service, or to the appropriate laboratory, the evidence must be signed for by the individual receiving the same, with the date and time indicated on the receipt.
• When a Crime Scene Technician submits physical evidence to a laboratory, a supplement report must be made by the technician, containing details such as date and time of submission, how the evidence was submitted, name and location of laboratory, etc.