• A crime scene is any physical scene,

anywhere, that may provide potential

evidence to an investigator.
• It may include a person’s body, any type of
building, vehicles, places in the open air or
objects found at those locations.
 A crime scene is a place that is being 
investigated by the police because a crime
has taken place there.
Collins Dictionary

A crime scene is the immediate and surrounding

area where a crime has been committed.
 Crime scene refers to a location where an
illegal act took place.
 The term refers to an area from which most

of the physical evidence is retrieved by law

enforcement personnel, crime scene
investigators (CSIs) or in rare circumstances,
forensic scientists.
• The use of physical evidence at the scene of the
crime and the use of deductive and inductive
reasoning to gain knowledge of the events
surrounding the crime.
• Crime scene investigation is multidisciplinary and
involves a systematic search of the crime scene;
meticulous observation and documentation of
the scene; photography and sketching of the
scene; the identification, processing and
collection of physical evidence such as
fingerprints, footwear impressions, hair, fibers,
biological fluids, and materials for DNA analysis;
and perhaps most important, the application of
careful reasoning to the facts.
 The word ‘investigation’ has been defined in
Section 2(h) of the Criminal Procedure Code
as:
“All the proceedings under the Code for the
collection of evidence by a police officer or by any
other person (other than a Magistrate) who is
authorized by the Magistrate in this behalf”.

Investigation is basically an art of unearthing the

truth for the purpose of successful detection and
prosecution.
• In the words of the Supreme Court in H.N. Rishbud
v/s State of Delhi (1955) investigation consists of the
following steps:
◦ Proceeding to the spot
◦ Ascertainment of the facts and circumstances of the case
◦ Discovery and arrest of the suspected offender
◦ Collection of evidence relating to the commission of the
offence which may consist of:
◦ Examination of various persons (including accused) and
the reduction of their statements into writing, if the officer
thinks fit;
◦ Search of places and seizure of things considered
necessary for the investigation and to be produced at the
trial; and
(v) Formation of the opinion as to whether on the materials
collected, there is a case to place the accused before a
Magistrate for trial and, if so, taking the necessary steps
for the same for the filing of a charge sheet u/s 173 Cr.P.C
• The investigation begins at the crime scene
with the recognition and recovery of physical
evidence.
• It proceeds with its analysis, evaluation of the
results and presentation of the findings to
the court of law.
• From the first responders to the end-users of
the information, all personnel involved should
have an adequate understanding of the
forensic process, the scientific disciplines and
the specialized services provided by forensic
laboratories.
• Crime scene investigation is a process that aims
at recording the scene as it is first encountered
and recognizing and collecting all the physical
evidences potentially relevant to the solution of
the case.
• The first responder, usually a police officer,

plays a critical role in the entire crime scene

investigation process.
(i) The initial responsibility of the police officer is
to preserve the integrity of the scene and the
evidence.
(ii)The police officer is also responsible for the
early documentation of crime scene and all its
evidences.
 In most of the cases, since the first
responders are non-forensic personnel,
adequate training on handling of evidence at
Scene of crime is crucial to successfully carry
out these activities.
• Outdoor Crime Scene
• Indoor Crime Scene
• Conveyance Crime Scene
• Primary Crime Scene
• Secondary Crime Scene
• The outdoor crime scene is the most
vulnerable to loss, contamination, and
deleterious change of physical evidence in a
relatively short period of time.
• Individuals with access to the scene can
potentially alter, destroy or contaminate
evidence.
• Destruction or deterioration of evidence due
to environmental conditions such as heat,
cold, rain, snow and wind are problems
associated with outdoor scenes.
• Evidence that cannot be protected under
these conditions should be collected
expeditiously without compromising its
integrity.
• Investigators who encounter a combination of
an indoor and outdoor scene should give
priority to processing the outdoor
component.
• Night time outdoor crime scenes are
particularly problematic. Regardless of the
quality of the light source used to illuminate
the scenes, the lack of sunlight can lead to
investigators inadvertently missing or
destroying evidence. Whenever possible,
outdoor crime scenes should be held and
secured until daylight for processing.
• Evidence at an indoor scene is generally less
susceptible to loss, contamination and
deleterious change.
• Indoor crime scenes are usually easier to secure
and protect, and securing a scene can be as
simple as closing a door.
• The methods used by forensic laboratories have
evolved so that very small amounts of biological
material can produce a usable DNA profile.
• This, however, means that the potential for
detecting DNA traces deposited by contamination
at crime scenes becomes a factor.
 Contamination of any crime scene can easily
occur if proper precautions, such as limiting
the number of people inside the scene, are
not taken.
 For example, first responders, emergency

medical personnel, patrol supervisors, crime

scene investigators, and medical examiners
are all potential sources of contamination
and/or loss of evidence.
• Conveyance is defined as "something that
serves as a means of transportation."
• Types of crimes committed in conveyances
include, but are not limited to:
• Theft/extortion
• Kidnapping
• Sexual Offences
• Murder / Homicide
• The crime scene investigator must know that
the physical evidence recovered from these
scenes may extend well beyond the
conveyance itself. 
• The flight path of the perpetrator may reveal
evidence important to the investigation.
• For example, impression evidence, such as
shoe or footprints in soil, may be found
leading away from the scene, and property
removed from the conveyance may be
deposited or dropped as the perpetrator flees
the scene.
 Cigarette butts are sometimes found in and
around the conveyance.
 The nature of the crime may give the

investigator an idea of the type of evidence

present.
 To protect the scene against inclement
weather and other factors that may contribute
to evidence loss and/or destruction, a
conveyance such as a vehicle may be
transported to the laboratory after proper
documentation has been completed.
• A primary crime scene is the scene where the
actual criminal activity took place.
• For example, in a murder investigation, the
primary crime scene would be the scene
where the murder occurred and the person's
life was taken.
• However, there might be additional crime
scenes involved as well. For example, the
perpetrator might have relocated the body
following the murder. Let's say the body was
removed and placed in a wooded outdoor
area. This would then become the secondary
crime scene, as it will also likely yield clues
that can assist in solving the crime.
• Physical evidence can range from massive
objects to microscopic items, resulting from a
crime and recovered at the crime scene or
related locations.
• Physical evidence, when recognized and
properly handled, offers the best prospect for
providing objective and reliable information
regarding the incident under investigation.
• However, the value of even the most carefully
recovered and preserved evidence can be lost
if the chain-of-custody is not properly
maintained. Physical evidence can be in the
following forms:
• Transient evidence
• Transient evidence is a type of evidence that
is, by its very nature, temporary, easily
changed or lost.
• Commonly encountered transient evidence
includes odors, temperatures, color, and
some biological and physical phenomenon
such as rigidity or the drying of blood.
• Due to its temporary nature, this type of
evidence must be documented as soon as the
evidence is observed.
• Conditional evidence
• Conditional evidence is generally produced by
a set of actions or inactions. Similar to
transient evidence, if conditional evidence is
not observed and documented immediately at
the crime scene, the evidence will be lost
forever.
• Examples of commonly encountered
conditional evidence include lighting
conditions, television and computer settings,
smoke or fire, condition of the victim’s body,
window positions, or exact locations of
specific evidences within the scene.
• Pattern evidence
• There are a variety of patterns that can be found
at a crime scene.
• Most of these patterns are in the form of
imprints, indentations, striations, or other
markings such as fractures or depositions.
• The patterns commonly found at different crime
scenes includes blood spatter or stain patterns,
glass fracture patterns, fire burn patterns,
furniture position patterns, projectile trajectory
patterns, track-trail patterns, clothing or article
patterns, tire or skid mark patterns, modus
operandi patterns, and gun powder or residue
patterns.
 Transfer evidence
 Transfer evidence, also referred to as trace

evidence, is generally produced by physical

contact between persons, objects, or persons
and objects.
 Some most commonly found transfer

evidence is blood, fingerprint, hair, fiber,

body fluids, soil, glass, drugs and chemicals.
 This type of evidence is the traditional

forensic evidence examined in the forensic

laboratory.
 Medical evidence
 Medical evidence not only consists of

victim’s, suspect’s, or witness’s injuries, the

type and degree of injury the location and
condition of a wound, the number and size of
the wounds, but also includes medical
history, the type of medical equipment on the
person, house or car, the prescription history,
including date and amount prescribed.
• Electronic evidence
• Many households and businesses have
installed surveillance cameras, monitors and
other recording equipment. Investigators
should collect and preserve all these types of
devices and any digital cameras, phone
answering machines, video cameras,
computers and data storage devices.
• Examples of information that may provide
investigative leads include cell phones, call
records, e-mail messages recovered from a
suspect’s computer hard drive, and videotape
recorded from a bank security camera.
• Associative evidence
• During the course of an investigation, specific
items located at a crime scene may be used
as evidence to associate a victim or suspect
with a particular scene. It may also be used to
associate a victim to a suspect.
• Examples of associative evidence includes
suspect’s vehicle or wallet found at the crime
scene, victim’s ring, watch or other personal
belongings found on the suspect, receipts,
tickets or business cards
• ‘Chain of custody’ refers to the chronological
and careful documentation of evidence to
establish its connection to an alleged crime.
• Throughout the forensic process, it is crucial
to demonstrate each step undertaken to
ensure the following two characteristics of
the evidences retained from the crime scene
to the courtroom:
• (i) Traceability
• (ii) Continuity
• The chain of custody is established whenever
an investigator takes custody of the evidence
at a crime scene.
• The chain-of-custody record for all items
collected from the scene must be
documented with the following details:
• (a) Case reference number FIR, dated….,
Police Station. (b) Exhibit number
• (c) Date and time of collection
• (d) Item description.
• (e) Identity of the person who collected the
evidence.
• (f) Location where the item was found.
• (g) Name and signature of the person who
collected the evidence.
• In case of digital evidence, the hash value of
each digital evidence must be computed and
recorded individually on every transfer in
order to maintain the authenticity and
integrity of digital evidence records.
• Individuals assuming custody of such digital
evidence must sign a chain-of-custody
document mentioning the respective hash
values.
• (a) All information recorded as in
aforementioned clause and any unusual
markings on or alterations to the item.
• (b) Markings and packaging of the evidence.
• (c) Seals of the evidence.
 All the processes during transfer of evidence
should be recorded faithfully in the case diary
to establish the chain of custody.
 When evidence is submitted to the Police

Station ‘Mal khana’ or to a forensic

laboratory, a receipt documenting the
transfer is obtained. The evidence should be
sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory with
duly filled prescribed forwarding form under
proper acknowledgement
 1. Securing the scene
 2. Separating the witness
 3. Scanning the scene
 4. Seeing the scene
 5. Sketching the scene
 6. Searching for evidence
 7. Securing and collecting evidence
 The planning, organization and coordination
of the work at the crime scene aims at
deploying resources commensurate to the
case being investigated and using these
resources efficiently and effectively.
• Good planning is essential to execute work at
the crime scene. Planning may include
gathering the most of readily available
information by considering questions such as:
• (i) What is believed to have taken place?
• (ii) What is the magnitude of the problem?
• (iii) Is any specialized expertise/medical
assistance required?
• (iv) Are there any particular dangers at the
scene?
• (v) What other assistance might be required?
• (vi) Is it an indoor/outdoor scene?
• (vii) Is it a remote location?
 (viii) What local resources would be available?
 (ix) If anybody else needs to be informed?
 (x) What are the weather (hot/cold climate)

conditions?
 (xi) What equipment is required?
• Organization and coordination are very
important and should continue throughout
the investigation and include decisions on:
• (i) What needs to be done, i.e. the sequence
of actions and priorities
• (ii) Accessibility to the crime scene i.e., the
access is limited to personnel playing an
essential role in the crime scene investigation
and in the medical care (such as doctors and
nursing staff) of victims present at the scene.
• (iii) Assignment of tasks (e.g. designation of a
leader, definition of roles and responsibilities,
need for specialized expertise).
• (iv) How required actions will be undertaken (e.g.
applicable procedures, need for specialized
equipment and tools, and required
communication channels).
• Each crime scene is unique. Hence, planning and
organization require adaptation and flexibility
from one case to another. In addition, during the
course of an investigation, the requirements may
change as new elements are recognized and the
personnel working at the scene may have to
adapt to the organization of the work
accordingly.
 The equipment required for crime scene work
should be available to the personnel working
at the crime scene, readily put together in a
box/kit and replenished regularly, to enable
rapid response. Some cases may also require
specialized equipment.
• Crime scene preservation starts soon after
the incident is discovered and reported to the
police station. Concerns for scene protection
end only when scene investigation process is
completed and the scene is released.
• (i) Demarcation of the area to be protected is
a complex activity and the boundaries of the
scene may change as the investigation
unfolds. What appears to be obvious at the
outset may change and need to be re-
evaluated.
• (ii) Once demarcated, the area is clearly
cordoned off using any kind of physical
barrier. Any non-essential people who
entered the scene before the cordon was
established, are removed (and this
information is recorded) and any non-
essential people are prevented from entering
the scene during the entire scene
investigation.
• (iii) From the beginning to the end of the
crime scene investigation, strict anti-
contamination measures are important. They
include:
 (a) Wearing protective clothing, gloves and
shoe covers
 (b) Using a single path when entering the

scene (this is also valid for medical personnel

providing care to victims).
 (c) Keeping away from using any facilities

available at the scene (e.g. toilet, water,

towel, and telephone), eating, drinking or
smoking.
• (d) Avoiding moving anything/anybody,
unless it is of absolute necessity (if
something or somebody is moved, the initial
location should be carefully documented).
• (e) When selecting protective and anti-
contamination measures, respect for the
victim’s privacy and human rights is
important. If required, the use of screens,
curtains, tents should be considered.
• (f) If, during the course of the investigation, a
second or a third, related crime scene is
discovered, each scene is treated separately
(i.e. separate teams working on different
scenes).
• Documentation aims at producing a
permanent, objective record of the scene, the
physical evidence and any changes that take
place. Documentation at the scene is also the
starting point for the chain-of-custody.
• (i) Documentation starts with the arrival of
the first person at the scene. Using
appropriate means (e.g. notes, photography,
video, sketches and measurements), the
scene as it is first encountered is recorded
along with other things:
 (a) Arrival time
 (b) Condition of doors, windows and shades
 (c) Odours
 (d) Signs of activities
 (e) Weather/light conditions
 (f) Air conditioning systems (central or

localized)
 Any person present while entering or leaving
the scene and any changes that take place as a
result of activity undertaken or observed are
recorded as well.
 (ii) Once physical evidence is recognized,

detailed documentation is made before it is

moved or recovered.
 (iii) Each recovered item is labelled individually
 The requirement for documentation
continues throughout the crime scene
investigation process and beyond until the
result of the laboratory examination is
available. It constitutes the chain of custody.
When a person working at the scene leaves
the investigation, all information (e.g.
photographs, records, notes, etc.) is turned
over to the personnel coming in.
 Upon arrival at the scene, record names and
arrival times (when known) of all personnel
involved, including investigators, medics, first
responders.
 When applicable, include the names of those

assigned to specific tasks in either the photo

log or, when using a photo list, a notebook
• Crime Scene Sketch
• In a crime scene sketch, each piece of evidence is
mapped by its distance from 2 fixed points (i.e. a
wall, sidewalk, lamp-post, etc) to provide its
exact graphic coordinates.
• A sketch of a crime scene is required when
spatial relationships or proportional
measurements are needed.
• The rough sketch is the first sketch drawn at the
scene; multiple rough sketches may be required
depending on the crime.
• The sketch includes a scene outline with the
location of objects and evidence clearly marked.
A finished sketch is derived from the rough
sketch.
• Draw the rough sketch before anything is
moved or destroyed, and after photographs
are taken. Do not alter the scene.
• Take measurements from fixed location
reference point, such as walls or curbs, or
from stationary appliances.
• Include as much information as possible in
the sketch: streets, plants, entry and exit
points, location of bullets and cartridges, etc.
• Do not alter a rough sketch after leaving the
crime scene. If changes are required of the
rough sketch, photocopy the original rough
sketch to preserve its integrity
 Perspective − A perspective sketch contains a
vanishing point and depicts objects of
evidence as they would appear to the eye with
reference to relative distance and depth.
 Projection − A projection sketch usually

contains only one viewpoint and depicts

objects on one plane. The overview sketch (of
the horizontal plane) is the most common
type of sketch and is usually done from a
bird’s eye view; it shows the floor plan.
 Schematic − The schematic sketch is used
when it is desirable to represent a sequence
of events such as following the trajectory of a
bullet through a crime scene location.
 Detailed − The detailed sketch is used when

describing a small area that is not easily

incorporated into the overall drawing due to
the scale chosen for the rough or finished
scale drawing. This is especially useful for
large crime scenes.
• Photography
• Photographs are typically taken based upon
the perspective of the camera to the target.
• a. Overall
• b. Midrange
• c. Close-up
• Always use the designated safe route when
moving through the scene. Avoid disturbing
the scene.
• When it is necessary to alter the scene, such
as by placing placards or disassembling
equipment, always take photographs of the
scene before and after alteration, and with
scale when appropriate.
 When using a digital camera, never delete a
photograph from camera or digital media
memory.
 When using film, never discard used film or

negatives.
 Take interior photographs using a vertical

orientation to get the full length of a wall in a

photograph.
 Take a complete set of pictures, including

overall (long-range), midrange and close-

ups.
• Plan the photography route. Photograph transient
objects, such as bloodstains or latent prints, as soon as
possible.
• Move from the exterior to the interior of the crime
scene, and from general to specific focus.
• The photography session should occur in an
uninterrupted,
• systematic, focused manner. When planning the route,
ask:
• − How did the victim or suspect arrive at or leave from
the scene?
• − How was the crime committed?
• − Which items were handled?
• − Which items were moved?
• - Which items are broken or stained?
• - Have potentially flammable vapors been detected at
• the scene?
 Use black-and-white photos for close-up
photographs of fingerprint/ footprint/
shoeprint/tire track evidence.
 Use color film for close-up photographs of

bloodstains and other bodily fluids.

 Take overall photographs of the area
surrounding the scene from its perimeter,
from multiple locations and angles. Include
exteriors of buildings, cars, both sides of
entries and exits, and bystanders.
 Videography
 Take video of the scene in its original state

from multiple angles and distances. Take

video of fragile evidence first.
 Avoid disturbing the scene. Always take video

of the scene before and after alteration, such

as when placards and scales are placed near
evidence.
 Exclude officers, bystanders, and others at a

scene from the video. Turn audio off.

 Take overall (long-range) video to show
where the crime occurred, midrange video to
show relationships of evidence and other
points of interest, and close-up video to
show individual items and their
characteristics.
 Use a sturdy tripod whenever possible to

reduce movement while taking video. Take

video from angles that result in the best
representation of that scene. Avoid panning
side to side or up and down. Avoid zooming
while out of focus.
• Always use the designated safe route when
moving through the scene.
• Take video of transient objects, such as
bloodstains or latent prints, as soon as
possible. Move from the exterior to the
interior of the crime scene, and from general
to specific focus.
• Overall video should include a 360-degree
view of the entire scene including landmarks,
entrances and exits, and identifying marks,
such as a house number or license plate.
• Always use slow camera movements such as
when panning and zooming.
• Always avoid walking while taping these
shots.
• When recording overall video in tight spaces,
such as closet or bathroom, use a high
camera angle from a corner.
• When recording a long, narrow area, such as
a hallway or porch, use a tripod and slow
zooming.
• When necessary and possible, use artificial
lighting to get the best possible clarity.
• Consider using a blue filter over artificial light
to achieve similar lighting as daylight
• A well-documented scene ensures the
integrity of the investigation and provides a
permanent record for later evaluation.
• Notes
• A detailed written description of CS with
locations of physical evidence must be
recorded.
• Record the time, date, name of the person who
contacted the authorities, and incident
information as soon as notification of a crime
is received.
• Initial notes about the incident should answer
the who, what, when, where, why and how
questions.
• Incident information includes: who reported
the incident, when the incident was first
reported, the crime scene location, a
description of incident and participant names.
• All information related to the crime scene must be
recorded in addition to photos and sketches.
• It is critical to use a systematic approach to note-
taking while taking photographs to maintain a
record of your activities and the order and
location of pictures as they are taken.
• Specify the changes you made to a scene while
taking photographs, such as when a light was
turned on or objects were moved.
• Note-taking should occur throughout the
photography session.
• Finish note-taking at the scene. Include the time
that photographing began and was completed in
the notes.
 Search pattern depends on the size and
locale of the crime scene & the number of
persons participating in the collection
 The crime scene search patterns are

◦ Strip
◦ Spiral
◦ Grid
◦ Quadrant or zone
◦ Pie or Wheel
• Strip method: The whole area is to be searched,
and divided into a convenient number of strips.
Each strip is examined carefully. Whenever any
item or physical evidence is found, it is properly
collected and preserved. The process is
continued till the entire area has been searched.
• Spiral method: Here the search is started from
one end of the crime scene, carried out in spirals
till the focal point of the crime scene.
• Grid Method: In the grid search method, the IO
begins like a strip search. After completing the
search by horizontal lanes, he searches back at
right angles to the original strip. This search
from two different angles helps in the recovery of
evidence which may be missed in simple strip
method
 Zone method: The scene is divided into small
zones and each zone is examined in turn.
 Pie or Wheel method: It is a search pattern in

which the area is divided into pie slices or

sections of a wheel, usually six in number.
Crime scene searchers start from a critical
point, such as body, and travel outwards
along straight lines or rays.
The objective of crime scene investigation is
to recognize, preserve, collect, interpret and
reconstruct all the relevant physical evidence
at a crime scene.
 Crimes today are solved by the teamwork of

investigators and crime scene personnel and

by the combined use of techniques and
procedures recognizing the power of crime
scenes, physical evidence, records, and
witnesses.
• The four distinctive but interrelated
components of
• 1. Information management
• 2. Manpower management
• 3. Technology management
• 4. Logistics management
• Deficiencies, negligence, and overemphasis
of any one of these components will imperil
the overall crime scene investigation. These
components are all based on the fundamental
need for good and ongoing communication
among the personnel through the
investigation process
• The preliminary crime scene search is an
initial quasi-search for physical evidence
present at the crime scene
• After scene documentation a more efficient
and effective search for less obvious or
overlooked items of evidence must be done.
• This intensive search is done before the
evidence is collected and packaged. If any
new items of evidence are found, then they
must be subjected to the same
documentation tasks completed earlier.
• Before any intensive crime scene search is
done, care must be taken to instruct the
members of the search party.
• It is tempting for search party members to
touch, handle, or move evidence found
during the search.
• Instruct members to mark or designate found
items without altering them. With proper
training, diligence, and care, no evidence will
be mistreated during the search of a crime
scene.
• Found items must be documented before any
evidence can be moved or collected.
 One individual should be designated as the
evidence collector to ensure that the evidence
is collected, packaged, marked, sealed, and
preserved in a consistent manner.
 No item of evidence will be missed, lost, or

contaminated if only one person has the

obligation for this stage of investigation.
• There is no rigid order for collection of the
evidence, but some types of evidence, by
their nature, should be given some priority of
order.
• Transient, fragile, or easily lost evidence
should be collected first. Some items of
evidence because of location within the crime
scene may have to be moved or repositioned.
• If items are moved and new evidence is
discovered, documentation must proceed
immediately. It is difficult to generalize about
the collection of physical evidence. Different
types of physical evidence require specific or
as primary containers for trace evidence
collection and packaging.
• Each piece of evidence is labelled and sealed
following requirements as per law. Priorities
in evidence recovery might have to be
decided to avoid unnecessary loss or
degradation of evidence.
• Under difficult conditions, it might be
preferable to recover and collect more
evidence at a later stage of the investigation.
• In many instances, sample in question and
control samples are necessary, e.g. when
collecting fire debris.
 In situations where the evidence is in traces
and is difficult to be collected by manual
methods, vacuum pumps with special
attachments are used to collect the trace
evidence and in a situation where the
evidence is in very large quantity, a
representative sub-sample in duplicate is
usually collected, e.g. from bulky drug
seizures
 Larger pieces of paper can be used to fold
large items to hold trace evidence in place.
 The outer container should be sealed with
tamper resistant tape.
 Outer container should be marked with

information about items contained,

identification of the collector, date, time and
location of collection of the item.
 The sealing tape should completely cover the

opening of the outer containers and marked

with the initials of the collector with date and
time of collection.
 Solid evidence can be collected, stored and
preserved in the above manner.
 Liquid or volatile items should be placed in

airtight, unbreakable containers.

 Wet, moist and living biological evidence can

be packaged in non-air tight containers.

 It should be allowed to air dry in a controlled

environment and then repackaged with

original containers in new non-airtight
containers
 Each item to be packaged separately to
prevent cross contamination.
 The containers should be sealed and marked

at the time of collection to prevent

intermingling of evidence during transport to
other locations. Control standards, alibi
standards, and other control samples are
important for investigation.
• a. Do not package bloodstained evidence in
plastic bags.
• b. If possible, collect the entire stained
garment.
• c. Avoid altering the stain or transferring
blood from one portion of the garment to
another; do not fold or crumple the garment.
• d. Be careful not to lose or contaminate any
remaining trace evidence on the garment.
• e. Avoid excessive heat when collecting,
transporting or storingblood evidence.
• f. Avoid moisture, water or other liquids.
• g. Avoid exposing the bloody evidence to
strong light, especially UV light.
• h. Avoid touching, taking off gloves, or
coughing/ sneezing over or near the
evidence.
• i. Describe the stain as a “red stain” or
“apparent bloodstain”. Do not label it as
blood if the stain has not been forensically
identified as such.
• Leaving evidence exposed at a crime scene
can lead to contamination. It may not be
possible to dry an item at the scene without
risking contamination.
• Ensure that the portion of the area or object
with the stain has been documented as it was
found.
• Label a container such as a paper bag or
envelope with your initials and identification
number, the date and time, case number,
evidence number, location and evidence
description.
• Each piece of evidence must have a unique
number. This number should correspond to
the placard next to the evidence.
 The evidence description should include:
 • Type of item (e.g., victim’s shirt, glass,

carpet fibers)
 • Location of the stain
 • Whether the stain is wet or dry
 • Location of the item at the crime scene
 Drying of Wet Material
 a. If the item is wet, place it on a clean piece

of paper and allow it to dry before packaging,

or transport it for drying at a laboratory
facility or a properly outfitted evidence
holding area.
 b. If you have access to a drying rack, dry the

item in it. Place a clean piece of paper on the

floor of the drying rack. Hang the item over
the paper.
• c. If you do not have a drying rack:
1. Lay a clean piece of paper on a clean, flat surface
in a secure location where the item will not be
disturbed and contamination will be minimized.
2. Carefully place the item on the paper.
3. Be sure to keep the stain intact in its original
form and avoid transferring the stain from one
area of the item to another.
4. Allow the item to dry naturally. Never expose it
to heat, such as from a blow dryer. Avoid
exposing the sample to direct sunlight.
• d. Do not place two items in the same container

for drying purposes. Clean the surfaces of the

drying rack with a disinfectant such as 10% bleach
solution after the item has been dried and
removed.
• a. Collect and label the paper on which the
object was dried.
• b. Place the paper into a labeled container, as
needed.
• c. Carefully pick up and fold the paper on or
over which the object was dried. Contain any
trace evidence that may have fallen on the
paper.
• d. Label the folded paper, indicating the
evidence number of the item that was dried.
• Bloodstained items should be stored in a
temperature controlled environment (between
60-75 degrees, with less than 60% humidity).
• If stored at ambient temperature:
• Place the container in a secure, dry storage
area.
• Never expose the container to extreme heat,
such as from a heater vent.
• Avoid exposing the container to direct
sunlight.
 When folding a garment or large object:
 1. Do not crumple or wad any portion of the

garment.
 2. Fold the garment only enough so that it

fits into the container.

 3. Do not crease the stained area.
 4. Make sure, if using paper, that the paper

protects trace evidence and prevents

transferring the stain to other areas of the
garment.
 e. Only wrap an item if wrapping the object will
not disturb the position of a stain or mark.
 f. An item should be wrapped in clean paper

when the location or pattern of the stain or

mark is significant.
 g. Position the paper to keep the stain or mark

intact in its original form. Avoid transferring

any of the stain or mark to another portion of
the object.
 h. Mark package with appropriate Biohazard

cautions regarding contents.

 i. Place the item into the labeled container,
such as a paper bag. The container should be
large enough to allow air to circulate around
the object inside of it. If an object is too large
to be packaged in a container, protect the
stained area(s) with clean paper during
transport.
 j. Close the container and seal the entire

opening with evidence tape. Write your

initials and identification number, and the
date and time across the evidence tape seal.