Evidence preservation is crucial at crime scenes. First responders should disturb the scene as little as possible and note transient details upon arrival. They should wear gloves, limit movement of evidence, and seal off areas. All evidence handled should be documented and transferred directly to police custody to maintain the chain of custody. Proper evidence handling can help connect clues to suspects and aid legal investigations.

1. Evidence Preservation

2. Evidence Preservation
The most important part of
evidence collection is protecting
the crime scene

3. Evidence
Anything that can be used to connect:
– A victim to a suspect
– A suspect to a victim
– A suspect to a crime scene

4. The Fundamental Principle
It is impossible to be on a crime scene
without:
– Leaving evidence of yourself on the scene!
– Taking evidence of the scene with you!

5. Evidence
Fingerprints
Bite Marks
Broken Fingernails
Documents
Blood/Body fluids
Blood Splatters
Firearms
Tool Marks
Fracture matches
Hair
Fibers
Paint
Glass

6. Crime Scene
Location where any part of criminal act
was committed
All entry/exit routes from area where
crime was committed

7. Evidence Preservation
Patient care is FIRST priority of
ALL responding agencies

8. Initial Approach
Minimum number of people necessary (one)
Minimum amount of equipment necessary
Minimum amount of contact required
One person approaches and determines
course of action.
Rest of team stays back.

9. Evidence Preservation
A crime scene is no place for a
crowd!

10. Evidence Preservation
Don’t disturb scene any more than
necessary during assessment
Watch where you step
Pay attention to floor
Avoid kicking anything lying on floor

11. Evidence Preservation
Note transient details of scene as you
approach patient
– Lighting (on/off)
– Drapes (open/closed)
– TVs, radios (on/off)
– Furniture position
– Evidence of forced entry

12. Evidence Preservation
Wear gloves
If you must move something to get to
patient or do your assessment
– Tell police
– Note it in your report
If you move a DOA, note it in your
report and tell police

13. Evidence Preservation
If you are there before the police:
– Safeguard scene
– Seal off entire area
– Record names of all people who came into
contact with scene

14. Evidence Preservation
If you are there before the police:
– Try to hold all witnesses at scene
– Limit conversation between them

15. Evidence Preservation
If you are there before the police:
– Record “first” statements by victim
– Note who victim made statement to
– Note statements by witnesses
– Report to police, record in report in quotes

16. Evidence Preservation
Do NOT:
– Smoke
– Eat
– Drink
– Leave wrappers
– Use the bathroom

17. Evidence Preservation
Never cut through bullet hole, stab wound
Do NOT shake or turn clothing inside out
Bag or otherwise secure clothing so the
police can recover it at the hospital
If you try an IV and miss, mark the site and
note it in your report
Be conscious of debris you leave on the
scene--needles, bandage packages, etc.

18. Evidence Preservation
Avoid handling bullets, bullet fragments
Place in plastic container
Turn over to police

19. Evidence Preservation
Leave firearms in exact position found
Assume ALL weapons loaded
If firearm must be moved, only one
person should handle it
Outline weapon before moving it if
possible

20. Evidence Preservation
Do NOT handle weapon any way
except by grips
Do NOT attempt to clear or unload
weapon
NEVER place anything in gun’s barrel
or inside trigger guard

21. Evidence Preservation
If victim reports scratching assailant,
cover victim’s hands with paper bags,
tape loosely at wrists

22. Evidence Preservation
Wet clothing should be placed in paper
(not plastic) bag and turned over to
police.
Wet clothing should not be allowed to
stay in ANY kind of bag for >two hours.

23. Evidence Preservation
Avoid tracking blood on shoes
Keep bloody clothing from various
patients separated
Do NOT clean or smudge blood
splatters on scene
Advise police of blood spilled during
venipuncure

24. Evidence Preservation
Victims of alleged sexual assault should
not wash or use the restroom until
examined at hospital

25. Evidence Preservation
Do NOT let evidence leave your
custody until it passes directly to a
peace officer
Note in your report that you handled
evidence and to whom you passed it
Provide your name and unit number to
the officer to include in his/her report

26. Evidence Preservation
If chain of custody on piece of
evidence is broken, it becomes
inadmissible in court!