ISP Forensic Service Processors Manual

Evidence Sealing Requirements/Submitting Sharps

3.1

RECEIVING EVIDENCE - It is important to receive, handle, and process evidence in a manner, which preserves its integrity. It is essential to document the chain of custody on all evidence received.

3.1.1

Whenever possible, all evidence should be received by a technical records specialist. Controlled substances should never be transported or carried by personnel, either from scenes or to court.

3.1.2

Initial examination of evidence seals: Proper seals will include heat seal, tape seal or lock seal. A container is "properly sealed" only if its contents cannot readily escape and only if entering the container results in obvious damage/alteration to the container or its seal.

Standard evidence tape will be used to seal containers and must be initialed (or otherwise identified) to document the person sealing the evidence (scotch tape is not acceptable). Heat sealed packages must have initials or other identification across the heat seal to be properly sealed. Lock seals must be initialed or otherwise marked to document the person sealing the evidence. Staples may only be used if they are covered with evidence tape and the tape is initialed.

Packaged evidence received by a laboratory, which does not bear the initials or identification of the person sealing the evidence container, is not to be considered properly sealed. Manufactured seams do not need to be taped and initialed.

All evidence should be properly sealed by the submitting agency, however exceptions authorized by a supervisor may be made as required. ISP Forensics may provide a proper seal by: (1) placing a piece of evidence tape perpendicularly across the seal with the initials of the person receiving the evidence or (2) resealing the complete package in a heat sealed envelope or other container with proper initials. Forensic Services must ensure that evidence stored in ISP vaults is properly sealed. The technical records specialist has authority to reject evidence if it is not properly sealed.

3.1.3

ISP Forensic Services Procedure in regards to accepting syringes:

3.1.3.1

All of the following conditions must be adhered to for ISP Forensic Service to accept a syringe:

3.1.3.1.1

The agency must contact the appropriate Evidence Custodian from Forensic Services before the syringe and contents are submitted. That Evidence Custodian will ascertain that all the guidelines below are being followed, and notify the Lab Manager. The entire case will be returned without analysis, accompanied by a copy of this policy, if the Evidence Custodian is not contacted prior to the submission of the syringe.

3.1.3.1.2

The prosecutor associated with the case must submit a letter requesting the examination. The letter must state why it is necessary to the case for the contents of the syringe to be analyzed. This letter must arrive at the laboratory attached to the evidence or the evidence will be returned.

3.1.3.1.3

The syringe must be packaged in an approved biohazard safety tube. (An example of an approved biohazard safety tubes would be the "EVA-SAFE" safety tube displayed in the "Lab Safety Supply" catalog, catalog #0A-37946.)

3.1.3.1.4

Generally, an analysis of a syringe for drugs will only be performed if the case is a homicide or other exceptional/unusual case. Syringes will not be accepted if other drug evidence or any other evidence is available which provides the same proof as the examination of the syringe would provide.

3.1.3.1.5

Syringes must be packaged separately if the syringe is part of a multi-exhibit case. The entire case will be returned if the syringe is not packaged separately.

(As in the past, if the submitting agency chooses to submit an alcohol or water rinse from a syringe, then this sample may be submitted to Forensic Services as a routine drug sample and this procedure does not apply.)

3.1.4

Sharp or pointed objects or items with sharp edges (e.g., knives, razors, glass) should be confined within a material or package that renders them safe to handle.