CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGIES AND MODERN TECHNIQUES IN

CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION,
PROCESSING AND PRESERVING PHYSICAL EVIDENCE.
GENERAL INVESTIGATIVE PROCEDURES
1. Upon receipt of call/walk-in complainants
Duty Desk Officer shall:
a. Record the time it was reported;
b. Get the identity of the caller/complainant;
c. Get the place of the incident;
d. Get the nature of the incident;
e. Get the number of victim/s;
f. Direct the nearest mobile car/beat patrollers or the nearest police
precinct to act as first responder; and
g. Inform the duty investigator.
2. At the crime scene
First Officer on The Scene:
a. Give first aid.
b. Decide whether a crime has been committed.
c. Apprehend the suspected offender.
d. Write down the names of all the persons at the crime scene.
e. Do not let anyone enter the crime scene area.
f. Inform the police officer responsible for deciding (COP/PD) on who
is to carry out the investigation.
g. If shots have been fired, secure any evidence of primer particles
2. At the crime scene
First Officer on The Scene:
h. Sent police officers to the hospital.
i. Cordon off a sufficiently large area.
j. Protect the crime scene from alteration.
k. Make a note of the measures that are taken and the persons
who enter the crime scene.
l. Photograph and if appropriate video record the crime scene and
the adjacent area.
m. The First Responder shall be responsible for the control of the
crime scene.
3. Investigation Procedure at the Crime Scene
a. Upon arrival at the crime scene:
1) Receive the crime scene from the first responder.
2) Record time/date of arrival at the crime scene, location of the scene, condition
of the weather, condition and type of lighting, direction of wind and visibility.
3) Photograph/video the entire crime scene.
4) Before entering the crime scene, all investigators must put on surgical gloves.
5) Before touching or moving any object at the crime scene in a homicide or
murder case, determine first the status of the victim whether he is still alive or
already dead.
6) Designate a member of the team or ask other policemen or responsible
persons to stand watch and secure the scene.
7.) Identify and retain for questioning the person who first notified the police.
8.) Determine the assailant through inquiry or observe him if his identity is
immediately apparent.
9.) Separate witnesses in order to get independent statements.

b. Recording
As a rule, do not touch, alter or remove anything until the evidence has been
processed through notes, sketches, photograph and proper measurements.
c. Searching for evidence:
1) A general survey of the scene is always made.
2) In rooms, buildings, and small outdoor areas, a systematic search of
evidence is initiated.
3) Give particular attention to fragile evidence.
4) If any doubt exists as to the value of an item, treat it as evidence until
proven otherwise.
5) Ensure that the item or area where latent fingerprints maybe present is
closely examined.
6) Carefully protect any impression of evidentiary value in surfaces
conducive to making casts or molds.
7) Note stains, spots and pools of liquid within the scene.
8) Treat as evidence all other items such as hairs, fibers and
earth particles foreign to the area in which they are found.
9) Proceed systematically and uninterruptedly to the
conclusion of the processing of the scene.
10) Further search may be necessary after the evidence and
the statements obtained have been evaluated.
11) In large outdoors area, it is advisable to divide the area
into strips about four (4) feet wide.
 12) It maybe advisable to make a search beyond the
area considered to be the immediate scene of the
incident.
13) After completing the search of the scene, the
investigator examines the object or person actually attacked by the
offender.
14) In a homicide case, the position of the victim should be
outlined with a chalk or any suitable material before the body is
removed from the scene.
d. Collection of evidence:
➢ Fragile evidence should be collected as they are found.
➢ All firearms found to have tampered Serial Numbers shall be
automatically subjected to macro etching at the PNP Crime Laboratory.
➢ A corresponding request to the Firearms and Explosive Office must
be made for verification purposes.
➢ The investigator places his initials, the date and time of discovery on
each item of evidence for proper identification.
➢ Items that could not be marked should be placed in a suitable
container and sealed.
e. Markings of evidence
➢ Markings on the specimen must at least contain the following:
1) Exhibit Case Number.
2) Initials and or signature of the collecting officer.
3) Time and date of collection.
f. Evaluation of evidence
➢ Each item of evidence must be evaluated in relation to all the evidence
individually and collectively.
g. Preservation of evidence
➢ It is the investigators responsibility to ensure that every precaution is
exercised to preserve physical evidence.
h. Releasing of evidence
➢ All collected evidence can only be released upon order of the court or
prosecutor.
i. Chain of Custody
➢ A list of all persons who came into possession of an item of evidence,
continuity of possession or the chain of custody, must be established
whenever evidence is presented in court as an exhibit.
j. Transmittal of Evidence to Crime Laboratory
➢ The following principles should be observed in handling all types of
evidence:
1) The evidence should reach the laboratory in same condition as when
it was found, as much as possible.
2) The quantity of specimen should be adequate.
3) Submit standard specimen for comparison purposes.
4) Keep each specimen separate from others.
5) Mark or label each of evidence for positive identification.
6) The chain of custody of evidence must be maintained
Methods of Crime Scene Search
1. Strip Search Method Strip method - the area is blocked out
in the form of a rectangle. The searchers (3 person is good)
proceed slowly at the same pace long paths parallel to one
side of the rectangle.
2. Double Strip Search Method - modification of the strip search
method. The rectangle is traversed first parallel to the base then
parallel to a side.
 3. Spiral Search Method - The searchers (3 person
is good) follow each other along the path of a spiral
beginning on the outside and spiraling in towards the
center.
4. Zone Search Method - one searcher is assigned to each
subdivision of a quadrant and then each quadrant is cut into another
set of quadrants.
5. Wheel Search Method - the area is considered to be
approximately circular. The searchers gather at the center
and proceed outward along radii or spokes. Procedure is
repeated several times depending on the size of the circle
and the number of searchers.
5. Procedures on taking photographs:
a. Overall photos of the scene are taken.
b. Photograph the scene in a clockwise pattern.
c. Photograph the body and the immediate vicinity.
d. Keep a photo log.
Guidelines for taking photographs of a Crime Scene
➢ Photographs of a crime scene should be taken as soon as possible, before note
taking, sketching or a search for evidence begins.
➢ The pictures should illustrate the original, uncontaminated condition of the crime
scene.
➢ Photographs should be taken of the crime scene only, without spectators or
police personnel.
➢ To adequately present the crime scene initially, the photographs must form an
organized sequence & show all relevant locations and objects.
➢ The crime scene photographs must progress from general to specific.
Three Major Types of Pictorials Views
1. Long-range photograph of the over-all scene -Distance: From the doorway
to the room and other corners of the room
2. Mid-range photograph - Distance: Eight or Ten feet from the victim
3. Close-up photograph

Procedures on making a sketch:

a. To establish admissibility, the investigator must have personal
observation of the data in question.
b. REMINDER: Sketches are not a substitute for notes or photos.
 c. Types of sketches:
1) Floor plan or “bird’s-eye view”;
2) Elevation drawing;
3) Exploded view; and
4) Perspective drawings.

d) Write down all measurements.

e) Fill in all the details on your rough sketch at the scene.
f) Keep the rough sketch even when you have completed the final sketch.
g) Indicate the North direction with an arrow.
h) Draw the final sketch to scale.
i) Indicate the PLACE in the sketch as well as the person who drew it.
j) Indicate the position, location and relationship of objects.
k. Methods or systems of locating points (objects) on sketch:
1) Rectangular coordinates.
2) Coordinates constructed on transecting base line.
3) Triangulation.
l. Critical measurements, such as skid marks, should be checked by
two (2) investigators.
m. Measurements should be harmony.
n. Use standard symbols in the sketch.
o. Show which way the doors swing.
p. Show with arrow the direction of stairways.
q. Recheck the sketch for clarity, accuracy, scale, and title key.
 *How do we lift fingerprints as evidence in the crime scene?

Procedures on lifting fingerprints

a. Dusting for Latent Fingerprints:
1) Pour a small amount of powder into a piece of paper or a shallow
bowl.
2) Touch the tip of the brush to the powder being careful not to pick
up too much.
3) Apply the powder to the surface gently, using short strokes.
4) When a print begins to appear, begin making the brush strokes to
conform to the pattern of the ridges.
b. Lifting of Latent Fingerprints:
1) Pull off approximately 3 inches of tape from the roll.
2) Begin pressing the tape from the leading edge with a back and
forth motion of a finger.
3) Continue pressing the tape an inch or more past the latent.
4) To make the lift, use a steady, even pull.
5) Once the tape is pulled beyond the latent print and the print is
lifted, stop so that the leading edge is still in contact with the
surface.
6) The print should be mounted on some form of backing material.
c. Taking Plain impressions:
1) DO NOT ROLL the fingers when inking or taking the
impression.
2) Use the same position as when rolling the fingers.
3) Ink the right thumb by pressing it straight down onto the ink
surface (do not roll).
4) Ink the remaining four fingers simultaneously by pressing
them onto the ink surface.
5) Repeat the same procedure with the left hand.
Guidelines for the Following Types of Evidence

A. Biological Evidence: B. Trace Evidence:

1. Blood 5. Glass Fractures
2. Seminal Stains 6. Fibers
3. Hairs 7. Latent Fingerprints
4. DNA Evidence 8. Paints
9. Arson Evidence
10.Explosive Evidence
11.Tool marks
C. Physical Evidence:
Seized Drugs
Poisons
Firearm Evidence
Questioned Documents

D. Biological Evidence:

1. Blood
a. Liquid Blood Samples
1. Blood that is in liquid pools – pick up on a gauze pad;
clean sterile cotton cloth; air dry
2. Do not dry the blood stained materials directly under the
sunlight; electric fan.
 3. Separately place in a paper bag and bring it to the
laboratory as quickly as possible.
4. Bring along with the stained questioned material unstained portion
to serve as control in the analysis to be conducted.
b. Fresh, moist stains on clothing, blankets, cloth:
1. With clean scissors, cut out a portion (not to exceed ½ of
the total stained areas) of the stained cloth.
2. Place this in a clean glass container (test tube, small
glass bottle, etc.)
3. Seal the specimen in the container with a tight fitting
rubber or cork stopper. Seal with melted paraffin, if necessary.
4. Label the specimen. Adhesive tape, gummed paper, or an
attached tag may be used.
5. Pack the container in a cotton or clothed lined cardboard
box.
 6. Transmit the specimen to the laboratory IMMEDIATELY.
7. Allow the remainder of the stain to dry at room temperature. Do not
apply heat, expose to direct sunlight, or use an electric fan to speed up drying.
Hang on a clothesline inside a room.
8. Fold the stain garment carefully, interlaying each fold witha sheet of
clean white paper.
9. Place the garment, blanket or cloth into a strongcarton, lined with
clean white paper.
10. Seal it with paper tape and label completely.
11. Transmit it to the laboratory.
c. Fresh, moist stains on solid objects and surfaces:

1. With a perfectly clean instrument remove as much of the stain

as possible.
2. Place the stain so collected in a clean glass container.
3. Transmit it to the laboratory immediately.
4. Allow the remainder of the stain to dry on the object.
5. Remove the entire object or a portion of it which contains the
stains and surrounding area.
6. Pack it in a substantial box in such a manner as to prevent
the stained are from contacting any other surface.
7. Seal and label the box.
8. Send to the laboratory at once.
D. Dried blood stains
1. On clothing – wrap the items in clean paper, place the article in a brown
paper bag or box; seal and label container.
2. On small solid objects – send the whole stained object to the
laboratory. Seal and label properly.
3. On large solid objects, cover the stained area with clean paper; seal
the edges down with tape.
4. If impractical to deliver the whole object to the laboratory scrape the
stain onto a clean piece of paper; fold, and place in an envelope. Get also
unstained portion of the specimen as control.
D. Dried blood stains…

5. Do not scrape dried blood stain into evidence envelope. Scrape

blood from objects using a freshly washed and dried knife or similar
tool. Wash and dry the tool before each stain is scrape off. Seal
and mark the envelope.
6. Do not mix dried stain. Place each stain in a separate envelope.
7. Never attempt to wipe dried stain from an object using a
moistened cloth or paper.
8. If the entire object can be sent in and packed in such a manner
that the blood stains cannot be removed in transit, DO NOT
REMOVE them, but submit the object with stains intact.
NOTE:
Specimen for Comparison:
a. Fresh blood samples of suspect(s) and victim(s) should be
extracted by a registered nurse or a doctor.
b. About 10 cc of blood should be obtained.
c. The autopsy surgeon or coroner should take the blood
specimen from bodies of deceased person before embalming is
started.
1. Seminal Stains
Semen - This refers to the fluid produced by the male sex
organ. It is usually white to yellowish in color, consisting of two
parts: the seminal plasma or fluid, and the spermatozoa or sperm
cells. There are usually 70,000,000 to 150,000,000 sperm cells
per milliliter of semen.
The sperm cells, as seen under a microscope, consists of a
head, a neck and a tail approximately ten times as long as the
head. During deterioration the bacteria attacks first the tail,
making identification difficult.
The seminal fluid contains certain substances called flavins
which help give a yellowish color to semen and cause it to
fluoresce in ultraviolet light.
 Seminal stains occurring in rape or about sex offenses, are often
found on clothing, blankets, or other textile material. On white cloth,
they may appear as slightly yellowish stained areas. On colored cloth,
they may be almost invisible. Usually, when dry, they have a stiff,
starchy feel and can be located by sense of touch.
a. Fresh, moist stains on cloth:
1. With clean scissors or other instrument, cut out a small area of the
stain.
2. Place this in a clean glass test tube or small bottle.
3. Add just enough clean water to cover the cloth. Do not use
excessive amounts.
4. Seal the specimen in the container with a tight fitting cork or rubber
stopper. Seal with paraffin, if necessary to prevent leakage.
.
a. Fresh, moist stains on cloth:…
5. Label the specimen completely and pack it in more substantial
container.
6. Transmit it to the laboratory immediately.
7. Permit the remainder of the stain to dry on the cloth at room
temperature. Do not apply heat or expose to direct sunlight.
a. If stain is apparent, take care not to fold the cloth in the region of
the stain.
8. Fold the garment, as in the case of dried blood stains, interlaying the
fold with clean white paper.
9. Place in a paper-lined cardboard carbon, and send it to the
laboratory.
NOTE:
a. On clothing, blankets and sheet – air dry.
b. Wrap in a paper and package in paper bags.
c. Do not use plastic bags.
2. Hair
Hair may be found as evidence at the scene of the crime under many
different circumstances. It maybe in the body of a victim on his or her
clothing; on the fender or radiator grill of an automobile; on a murder
weapon, etc. It maybe human or animal in nature. In any event such
evidence can be of great importance.

The following procedures should be followed in preserving hair strands for

examination.

a. Have the person from where the hair strand are collected, bend over a
large sheet of clean paper, rubbing or massaging their hands through the
hair so that loose hair will fall out on the paper.
b. More hair should then be gathered by plucking them
representative areas all over the head using the finger or tweezers,
50 – 100 hair strands with roots.

c. Do not cut the hair. In rape cases, the victim’s pubic region should
be combed prior to collecting standards. 30 – 60 strands.

d. Obtained known hair samples from the victim, suspect or any

other possible sources for comparison with unknown specimen.
e. Same method used to collect hairs from the parts of the body. When
the person is a suspect, hair should gathered from all parts of the body
even though there may only be an interest in hair from the head at that
particular time.

f. Hair attached in dry blood or caught in metal or a crack of glass – leave

hair intact on the object.

g. Small objects – wrap it and seal it in an envelope.

h. Large objects – wrap the area containing the hair in paper to prevent
loss of hair during shipment.
3. Glass Fractures/Fragments
a. Shoes and clothing of suspects or other objects
contaminated with glass should be wrapped in paper and
submitted to the laboratory for examination.
b. All glass found in a hit – and – run scenes should
be recovered. The search should not be limited to the
point of impact since headlight glass maybe dropped off
at some distance away as the car leaves the crime
scene.
 c. Glass from different locations should be kept in
different containers.
d. Place small glass fragments in paper packet, then
in pill boxes or film cans which can be marked and
completely sealed.
e. Place large glass fragments in boxes. Separate
individual pieces with cotton or tissue to prevent
breakage of damaged edges during shipment. Seal and
mark the box containing them.
4. Fibers
a. If threads or large fibers are found they can be picked
up with the fingers and placed in a paper packet which in
turn is placed in another paper envelop which can be sealed
and marked.
b. Never place loose fibers directly into a mailing
envelope. They can be lost.
c. If the fibers are short or few in numbers – wrap the area
or the entire item containing the fibers in paper and send the
whole exhibits to the laboratory.
d. When fibers or threads are recovered, always send all
clothing of person from which they might have originated to
the laboratory for comparison purposes.
 5. Latent Prints and Standard fingerprints

a. The primary precaution in all cases is, of course, to prevent adding fingerprints
to the evidence and to prevent destroying those prints already present
b. Many of the fingerprints submitted will be on paper (on documents for
example), or on glass or metal surfaces.

c. Glass plates, metal plate, etc., (window glass particularly) should be packed
in the following manner:
1. Cut some strips of cardboard about one to three inches in sizes.
2. Fold these over at various places around the edge of the glass or metal
plate.
3. Sandwich the plate between two sheets of plywood or heavy stiff
cardboard. Neither surface of the glass will now be touching any other object.
4. Fasten these plywood board together with adhesive tape, screw or other
means.
5. Label the specimen and pack in a cardboard box.
6. Wrap it up and transmit to the laboratory.
d. Bottles and other similar objects should be packed as follows:

1. Outline the base end of the bottle with a pencil mark on a piece of wood
which is larger than the bottle in question.
2. Pound a series of nails around the line so as to form a “fence” into which the
bottle will rest.
3. Do the same for the neck end of the bottle.
4. Place these end frames in positions and fasten them together by means of
wood strips running from end to end.
5. Mount this on a substantial cardboard box of proper size.
6. label the specimen container and send it into the laboratory.
e. If the object upon which the print is found cannot be removed nor sent to the
laboratory, dust the print with developing powder, and lift it with transparent lifting
tape.
 Such lifted prints should then be placed on a card
(either black or white for contrast) which will serve as a
permanent mount. In placing the lifted print in place, be
sure to remove the edge of the tape on which there may be
prints of the investigator himself. Further supply the
laboratory with complete data on the print its exact location
when found, name of suspect, date of crime, etc.
 f. Remember: the sooner the articles reaches the laboratory, the
better will be the chance that fingerprint development will be successful.
It is well to submit the fingerprint cards of the persons who might have
handled the object legitimately for elimination purposes.

NOTE:

While gloves or handkerchiefs may be used to pick-up exhibits, any

unnecessary contact should be avoided. Although, using a cloth to pick-
up exhibits prevents leaving additional prints on the article, the cloth will
frequently wipe off any print originally present unless they are
immediately taken.
6. Tool mark Evidence
a. Toll mark evidence will consist of tools of one sort or another (pry-
bars, screw drivers, pliers, pincers, hammers, etc.,) and of the actual
marks on wood, metal or another materials.
b. Tools submitted for examination should be packed in a manner
similar to that described for the preservation of firearms evidence.

1. Place the tool on the bottom of strong cardboard carton.

2. Punch holes through the bottom of the box, around the edge of
the tool.
 3. Place heavy twine through these holes, and over the tool in a
manner as to firmly secure it in place.
4. See to it that the cutting edge, or prying blade of a tool or the tool
mark itself, contacts no other surface. Protect it with cotton or cloth
wrapping if necessary to assure this protection.
5. Close the box, seal it with paper tape, and label it.
6. Transmit it to the laboratory.
Theory of Transfer
When two objects come into contact, there will frequently be a
transfer of small amounts of material from one to the other. Thus, when
suspects come in contact with the victim and objects at the crime scene,
they frequently leave behind. Traces of themselves and take with them
traces of any objects touched. This also applies to police officers and crime
scene specialists”.
Materials transferred in this way are normally referred to as trace
evidence. The term trace evidence is usually very loosely defined; however,
most often it is applied to minute or microscopic bits of materials that are not
immediately apparent to even a trained investigator.
Locard’s Principle summarizes the two way transfer of
trace evidence as:

When A comes into contact with B, something from

A is transferred to B and vice versa. i.e. every contact
leaves a trace’.
I. OTHER PHYSICAL EVIDENCE:

Seized Drug Evidence.

a. Dangerous drug evidence in connection with RA 9165, instituting
the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, repealing Republic Act
No. 6425 otherwise known as the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972. Maybe
encountered in various forms such as:
1. Tablet 4. Liquid or paste
2. Capsules or ampoules 5. Plant or plant materials
3. Powder
b. Mark the evidence for identification in court by inscribing initials of
seizing officer and the date and time of seizure.

1. Markings should be placed directly on each evidence

container (bottles, plastic bags, etc.,)
2. If the evidence cannot be marked without destroying or
changing any of its properties, it should be sealed in
appropriate container and the markings placed
on the container.
3. Evidence which cannot be marked, such as powder or liquid,
should also be sealed in a suitable container and the
container marked appropriately.

a. Photograph the evidence to include information such as date

and time, place of seizure, case number, seizing officer.
b. Weight and/or count the evidence.
c. Place in an envelope or other appropriate package.
d. Properly seal and label the package in the presence of
witnessing officer.
 e. In case of uprooted plants, particularly marijuana after counting
and photographing, place it in sacks or wrapped completely. Label
with tags or on the container.
f. Do not mix drug specimens in a single bag even if they were
found close to each other or even if they are similar in appearance.
g. When using a vacuum cleaner, remove the particles from filter
paper. Place the particles and the filter paper on a plastic bag.
h Secure and mark the evidence bag with your initials, the date
and time of collection.
i. Deliver it to the PNP Crime Laboratory together with the
request within 24 – hours as mandated by DDB Regulation Nr.2
Series 1996, amending Board Regulation Nr. 3 Series 1979.
FIREARM EVIDENCE
a. Never submit a loaded gun to the laboratory unless it is
personally delivered. If fingerprint evidence, on the gun is important to
the cause, do not unload it but deliver it in person just as it was found.
Otherwise unload the firearm and submit the cartridge and clips
separately.

b. Do not clean the gun, in any manner, under any

circumstances. Remove the cartridges from the chamber and the clip
from the gun or the cartridges from the cylinder but never clean the
bore, chamber, cylinder or wipe off the outside of the gun.
c. Take care not to destroy fingerprints which may be present.
d. Record the Make, Model and Serial Number of the firearms.
e. Mount small firearms pistols and revolvers in the following
manner:
1. Place the gun on its side on the bottom of a strong corrugated
cardboard box
2. Place the gun in place by punching holes around it and sewing it
down with the bottom of the box and over the barrel, trigger guard,
rear of the frame, and the grip, a gun may be held securely in
place.
 3. Pack the specimen in a larger cartoon or else place a lid on the one
used, and wrap it securely with heavy paper.

4. Send it to the laboratory via express.

a. Rifles and shotguns:

Follow the procedures outlined above. Except where fingerprint

evidence is involved, there is no objection to taking the gun apart in
order that it may be mounted more conveniently.

b. Bullets, Cartridges, Cases and Clips:

NOTE:
> Dislodge bullet on walls by cutting surroundings area little
by little without injuring it then dislodge with the use of
rubber – tipped tweezer.
> Pack bullets and shells individually in such a manner as not
to allow scratching each other.
1. Mark these specimens for identification as follows:
(a) Fired bullets should be marked on the base end. Maybe on the nose. Never mark
on the side of a bullet.
(b) Discharge cartridge cases should be mark on the inside of the open ends. Maybe
marked on the side near that end. Never mark on the close end or anywhere near
it.
(c) Under circumstances should bullets or cartridge cases be cleaned or wiped off
before being packed for transmittal to the laboratory.
There may be blood, hair or fibers or other material attached which will be of
significance from the laboratory standpoint.
(d) Unfired cartridge should be marked on the side of the case near the bullet end.
(e) Initials of the investigator maybe scratched on the side of a clip.

*How do we preserve firearm evidence?

Preserve bullets, cartridges and discharged cartridge cases in
the following manner:
(a) Wrap such specimens, each separately and individually, in
cotton, cloth or soft tissue paper. Handle such specimens as little as
possible, least identification characteristics may be destroyed. Do
not carry them around loose in your pocket.
(b) Place them in pill boxes lined with cotton and pack tightly to
prevent dangling inside.
(c) Label the box as to its contents.
(d) Seal the box with scotch tape.
(e) Pack in more substantial box and send to the laboratory
NOTE:
a. Unfired cartridges maybe left in the magazines of a
weapon provided the magazine is removed from the gun.
b. A firearm with the cartridge in the chamber should never
be shipped by any method even if the weapon is not cocked or on
safety.
c. Never clean the bore, chamber or cylinder before
submitting a firearm and never attempt to fire the gun before it is
examined in the laboratory.
d. Never pick up a weapon by placing a pencil or other object
in the edge of the barrel.
e In fired bullets, be sure to take photographs of all the
specimens to be collected.
I. Checklist for submitting evidence to the laboratory.
Before submitting the evidence to the laboratory, the following
checklist should be conducted. (The answer to each question
should be yes)
1. Did I collect all the available evidence in this case?
2. Did I collect sufficient amount of each type?
3. Was I careful not to alter the material in handling and in
preparing it for transmittal to the laboratory?
4. In packing:
a) Did I properly label each piece of specimen individually
and make references that I can identify later?
b) Did I wrap the various specimen separately to prevent
contamination.
c) Did I pack the specimen properly?
1. Did I use a clean container for the specimen?
2. Did I secure properly the specimen in the container?
3. Did I seal it in such a manner as to prevent its being
spilled opened by accident?
4. Did I address the package properly?