Evidence and Property Handling

Who is the designated Property Custodian responsible for controlling all property held by the OPD?

Evidence Technician Supervisor

Which system does the OPD use for evidence management?

SAFE Evidence Management System

Who is accountable for control of all property held by the OPD and stored in the property storage areas?

EPU Evidence Technician Supervisor

What is the primary responsibility of the Evidence and Property Unit (EPU)?

Receiving, storing, and disposing of property Signup and view all the answers

Who will be responsible for the final return of property to its rightful owner according to the policy?

Evidence Technician Supervisor Signup and view all the answers

How are storage areas within Central Police Headquarters designated to ensure security of evidence and property?

Securely locked with restricted access Signup and view all the answers

What procedure should employees follow before placing seized fireworks into the designated storage container?

Place the fireworks in a paper bag and attach a SAFE label to the bag Signup and view all the answers

When are standard procedures for misdemeanor or felony investigations followed in relation to seized fireworks?

For fireworks seized as evidence Signup and view all the answers

Who will transfer seized fireworks to a secure holding facility for future destruction?

Bomb Response Squad Signup and view all the answers

Under what circumstances can property be turned into the EPU via pass-thru lockers?

If it does not require special handling Signup and view all the answers

What must an officer do if they find property while on duty according to Omaha Municipal Code §25-5?

Provide the finder with Found Property Reclaiming Instructions Card Signup and view all the answers

Where can evidence and property not immediately needed at Central Police Headquarters be deposited?

In EPU drop boxes at various locations Signup and view all the answers

Which item cannot be deposited into an EPU drop box due to its size, weight, and value restrictions?

$700 cash found on duty by an officer Signup and view all the answers

What is prohibited from being deposited into an EPU drop box or precinct slam locker according to the policy?

$600 of liquid material that may contaminate other evidence Signup and view all the answers

"Sharp objects or objects that can penetrate the skin" are prohibited from being deposited into an EPU drop box due to concerns related to:

$200 of evidence needing latent fingerprint processing Signup and view all the answers

Who notifies the property owner to advise them on how to retrieve their property?

EPU employees Signup and view all the answers

Which unit or officer must approve the release of property held as evidence?

Investigating unit or case officer Signup and view all the answers

What item is required on the OPD Form 200D for the release of property held as evidence?

SAFE item number Signup and view all the answers

Who assumes custody and responsibility for money taken as evidence if admitted in court?

County Court Judge Signup and view all the answers

When does the court assume custody of money taken as evidence in a crime?

If there is a direct connection to the crime Signup and view all the answers

Who will maintain the chain of custody and safekeeping of evidence released from the EPU?

Property owner Signup and view all the answers

Which entity will release property held for tow charges in isolated cases?

County Court Judge Signup and view all the answers

How is property signed out from the EPU and submitted to court handled?

Property signed out is submitted to court and not returned to the EPU. Signup and view all the answers

What is NOT included in an OPD Form 200D for releasing property held as evidence?

Court order number. Signup and view all the answers

Who will complete an OPD Form 200D for property taken for court but not submitted as evidence?

Investigating unit officer. Signup and view all the answers

According to the policy, what is required for officers to seize money in situations other than crimes where money was taken?

Contact their immediate supervisor or the appropriate investigative unit for authorization Signup and view all the answers

If a suspect pleads guilty but the money is not admitted into court as evidence, what happens to the seized money according to the policy?

The money remains in the custody of the EPU pending a court order for its release Signup and view all the answers

According to the policy, which of the following statements about court orders directing the distribution of seized money is true?

All court orders directing the distribution of such money will be honored Signup and view all the answers

According to the policy, under what circumstances can seized money be released to someone other than the individual from whom it was confiscated?

With a court order authorizing the release to someone else Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT listed as a reference in the policy?

Relevant state laws Signup and view all the answers

Based on the policy, which of the following statements is true regarding documentation of seized money?

Officers must document the reason for seizure and the authorizing supervisor/investigator in all cases Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following items are stored in separate EPU area rooms with added security and monitored via security cameras?

Firearms, money (currency), and drugs Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following areas are designated for long-term storage of evidence related to homicides and sexual assaults?

Some designated areas within the EPU Signup and view all the answers

What software is used to log all property items, and what is a unique feature of this software?

SAFE; it is a web-based software that can be accessed from any computer Signup and view all the answers

What should an officer/employee NOT do when turning in evidence or property, according to the text?

Write on the envelope containing the evidence/property Signup and view all the answers

How should an officer handle non-evidentiary perishable food and contaminated items, according to the text?

Turn them over to the owner or representative, or destroy them if no owner is located Signup and view all the answers

How should biohazard materials be handled, according to the text?

They should be left at the hospital for medical waste disposal Signup and view all the answers

What should an officer do if an Impound Lot employee is not available when storing large items of property at the Vehicle Impound Lot?

Place the item in the indoor evidence booking area at the Vehicle Impound Lot Signup and view all the answers

When should a Recovered/Impounded Vehicle Report (OPD Form 202) be completed?

For items that are transported by contract tow Signup and view all the answers

What should an officer do to maintain the chain of custody when transporting evidence or property to the Vehicle Impound Lot using a tow service?

Accompany the tow service and record the Tow Ticket number in the notes section of SAFE Signup and view all the answers

What should an officer do when turning in personal property or evidence taken from a 'Signal D – Highly Infectious Disease' party?

Note it in the 'Additional Notes' and 'Description' fields in SAFE Signup and view all the answers

What should an officer do with an open alcohol container seized as evidence?

Empty the remaining alcohol, dispose of the container, describe the details in the arrest report, and make the necessary arrest reports without a SAFE entry. Signup and view all the answers

How should blood specimens be processed for booking into EPU?

Place the blood vials into Styrofoam boxes designed for holding two vials each, seal the box in a plastic SSB, and book it into the EPU refrigerator slam locker along with the OPD Drug and Alcohol Submittal Form. Signup and view all the answers

What is the procedure for booking firearms and fired cartridge casings?

Package and label them per OPD policies, book them into SAFE, and deposit them into the Forensic Gun Locker at CPHQ EPU. Signup and view all the answers

How should perishable evidence or evidence needed for comparison samples be handled?

FIU employees will collect the evidence, preserve it, and complete all SAFE entries per OPD policies. Signup and view all the answers

What is the exception for booking fired cartridge casings into the Forensic Gun Locker at CPHQ EPU?

If officers are not coming to the downtown area or CPHQ for another reason, fired cartridge casings may be booked into the EPU via a precinct drop box or slam locker. Signup and view all the answers

What should an officer do if processing for DNA and/or fingerprints needs to be completed on firearms and/or fired cartridge casings?

Complete an OPD Form 140, enter the items into SAFE using the 'Forensic Gun Locker' location, and turn the items over directly to a FIU employee. Signup and view all the answers

What should be done with checks held as forgery evidence?

Checks should be processed in the same manner as all evidence/property items and booked into EPU, no longer held in the Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB). Signup and view all the answers

What is the exception for handling opened beer kegs seized as evidence?

Opened beer kegs will not be emptied and will be turned in as evidence at the Vehicle Impound Lot. Signup and view all the answers

When FIU employees remove items from the Forensic Gun Locker, what should they do?

Document the new location of each removed item in SAFE Signup and view all the answers

If FIU employees locate evidence and property items other than firearms and fired cartridge casings in the Forensic Gun Locker, what should they do?

Move the items into an EPU slam locker or book them in directly with EPU employees, if feasible Signup and view all the answers

When sealing evidence in Security Seal Bags (SSBs), what should employees do?

Remove the covering from the sticky strip and fold the bag top over the sticky strip Signup and view all the answers

For items that cannot fit in SSBs, how should they be packaged?

Package them in appropriately sized sealed envelopes, bags, or boxes, and seal with red evidence tape Signup and view all the answers

For cash amounts of $100 or more, what additional step is required when packaging the cash in an SSB?

The cash must be counted by an EPU employee or FIU employee in the presence of the booking officer before being placed in the SSB Signup and view all the answers

If an employee must open a sealed evidence bag, how many employees must be present?

Two employees must be present Signup and view all the answers

When re-sealing an opened sealed evidence bag, what procedure should be followed?

Place the used bag and items in a new SSB, following SSB procedures Signup and view all the answers

Who is responsible for checking found property against current crime reports and notifying the EPU if the property should be held as evidence?

The Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB) Signup and view all the answers

When CIB employees release items back to their owners, what form must they complete?

OPD Form 200D (Notification of Disposition of Property Being Held by Evidence/Property Unit) Signup and view all the answers

What information must be included on OPD Form 200D when CIB employees release items to their owners?

The SAFE item number to be released and the name, address, and phone number of the owner Signup and view all the answers