Chapter 19 Evidence Collection

Proper Collection and Handling of Evidence

• All evidence or property seized must be properly tagged and placed in the BCSO Property Room by the seizing officer before the end of their shift.

Tagging Evidence

• Each piece of physical evidence should be tagged as soon as possible, entered in the property log, and stored according to BCSO procedures.
• Controlled substances are sealed in the appropriate envelopes, tagged with a physical evidence tag, logged, and put in the Narcotics Drop Box.
• Any narcotics paraphernalia is separated from the controlled substances if possible and tagged with a physical evidence tag.
• Hazardous evidence is not tagged in the manner of ordinary physical evidence and it is not stored in the Property Room.
• Evidence requiring processing is tagged and then a "Lab Submission Form" is completed.
• Only Evidence Technicians are assigned to process or examine evidence and may also have this work done outside the BCSO.
• The investigator notifies the Evidence Tech/Property Officer in writing of the status of the property and evidence recovered every 30 days.

Destruction and The Release of Evidence

• Destruction of evidence having no intrinsic value (empty cans, paper bags) is by authorization of the assigned investigator, his supervisor, or according to the Code of Criminal Procedures.
• Destruction, sale or disposal of evidence having intrinsic value (cameras, firearms, etc.) occurs only in compliance with the CCP.
• Release of evidence to owners happens after proper identification of the property and with proper authorization from the investigator.
• Court orders on all recovered property requirements are governed in accordance with Chapter 47 (CCP).
• Property is released at the Property Room in accordance with Property Procedures.

Firearm Evidence

• Firearms discovered during the investigation of a crime scene are not disturbed until properly recorded, photographed, or processed, unless the firearm faces destruction, contamination or is a threat to life or property.
• No firearm that is of evidentiary value is unloaded at a crime scene except when failure to unload said weapon constitutes a threatening condition.
• If necessary to unload a firearm at a crime scene, such unloading is done by the investigator, Supervisor or Evidence Technician.
• An Evidence Technician processes every firearm of evidentiary value recovered at a crime scene when possible.
• Chain of custody of firearms found at a crime scene is limited to the original officer recovering the firearm, the Criminal Investigator or his Supervisor and the Evidence Technician.

Blood and Other Evidence

• Blood evidence left by the victim or the suspect at a crime scene shall be recovered by the investigating Officer or Evidence Technician.
• Blood evidence should not be packaged in a plastic bag.
• Blood clothing should be air-dried if possible.
• Package blood evidence in a paper container or bag.
• The Investigating Officer or Evidence Technician recovers body secretion, stains or other material of evidentiary value from the crime scene.

Officers Processing Crime Scene for Latent Prints

• BCSO officers investigating minor criminal incidents process the scene when it is possible.
• Officers processing a crime scene of latent prints may use fingerprint kits provided by the BCSO or self-bought.
• Preserve latent prints obtained at a crime scene on the cards provided in the fingerprint kits.

Evidence Technician Assistance at Crime Scene

• At a major crime scene, an officer who makes a request for an Evidence Technician will remain at the scene, if possible.
• If the requesting officer cannot remain at the scene until the Evidence Technician arrives, the officer will contact the technician and provide the following information:
  • Type of offense
  • Whether photos are needed
  • Prints, including areas or objects of particular concern
  • All other pertinent data that bears on the offense or that the Evidence Technician should know

Responsibility for Property Recovered from Deceased Person

• The Medical Examiner has responsibility for personal property and effects recovered from a deceased person.
• Evidence Personnel do not have responsibility for property released at the scene by the Medical Examiner.
• Property released at the scene by the Medical Examiner remains in the custody of the investigating officer who tags it and leaves it in the Property Room.

Property Not Considered Evidence

• BCSO becomes responsible for tagging and logging any property coming into an officer’s possession for safekeeping, or for any other reason.
• The Sheriff's Property Room Personnel becomes responsible for such property, but will not accept custody of any property unless:
  • It is properly tagged and logged.
  • All required information on each item is properly included on the form.
  • Each item is tagged and recorded individually.
  • Small, valuable items are individually sealed, inventoried and placed in an evidence envelope by the submitting officer.
  • A copy of the report is attached.
• The same conditions as for evidence apply for destruction, sale or disposal of Property.

Disposition of Recovered Stolen Property

Test your knowledge on the proper collection and handling of evidence as per BCSO procedures. This quiz covers key protocols including tagging, logging, and storing evidence. Ensure you understand the importance of each step in maintaining the integrity of physical evidence.