Chapter 19 Evidence Collection

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary responsibility of the Medical Examiner regarding personal property from a deceased person?

To maintain responsibility for the personal property and effects. (correct)

To oversee the proper storage of the property.

To release the property to the next of kin.

To tag and log the property for evidence purposes.

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for the Sheriff's Property Room Personnel to accept custody of property?

Each item must be tagged and recorded individually.

All required information on each item must be properly included.

All items must be sealed in a single envelope. (correct)

A copy of the report must be attached.

What information must an officer provide if they cannot remain at the crime scene for the Evidence Technician?

The legal jurisdiction of the crime.

A description of the weather conditions.

The type of offense and whether photos are needed. (correct)

A list of potential witnesses at the scene.

Which condition must be met for property to be considered evidence by the BCSO?

It must be properly tagged and logged. Signup and view all the answers

What must an officer do with small, valuable items before submitting them?

Seal them in an evidence envelope individually. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step that an officer must take after seizing evidence?

Properly tag and place the evidence in the BCSO Property Room. Signup and view all the answers

How should hazardous evidence be handled according to the procedures?

Arrangement for storage should be made by the assigned investigator. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the tagging process for narcotics?

Controlled substances are sealed in envelopes, tagged, and placed in the Narcotics Drop Box. Signup and view all the answers

When can evidence that has no intrinsic value be destroyed?

Once the investigation is closed and no further action is required. Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for processing or examining evidence?

Only Evidence Technicians are assigned to process or examine evidence. Signup and view all the answers

What should be done with evidence that requires laboratory examination?

Tag it and complete a Lab Submission Form. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of officers in maintaining the status of recovered property?

They must notify the Evidence Tech/Property Officer in writing every 30 days. Signup and view all the answers

What must happen before evidence with intrinsic value can be destroyed, sold, or disposed of?

It must follow the provisions set forth in the CCP. Signup and view all the answers

What is essential for the release of recovered property to its owner?

Proper identification and authorization. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the process for unloading a firearm at a crime scene?

Only a criminal investigator or supervisor is permitted to unload it. Signup and view all the answers

What must be done with blood evidence collected at a crime scene?

It must be dried and stored in a paper container. Signup and view all the answers

Who is primarily responsible for recovering blood evidence at a crime scene?

The investigating officer or evidence technician. Signup and view all the answers

What is necessary for the chain of custody of firearms found at a crime scene?

It should involve the original officer, criminal investigator, or evidence technician. Signup and view all the answers

What should be avoided when processing blood evidence?

Using plastic bags for storage. Signup and view all the answers

Under what circumstances can a firearm at a crime scene be disturbed?

Only if it faces destruction, contamination, or is a threat. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the criminal investigator play in the release of recovered property?

They file the motion to the court for the property. Signup and view all the answers

What must officers use to process latent prints at a crime scene?

Both BCSO provided kits or their own fingerprint kits. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

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

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Description

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.