Chapter 19 – Evidence Collection, Destruction, and Property Handling

Evidence Collection

The process of gathering and documenting evidence from a crime scene or incident.

BCSO Property Room

The designated area where evidence and property seized by the BCSO are stored.

Physical Evidence Tagging

The process of labeling physical evidence immediately after it is collected, noting details in a property log.

Narcotics Evidence Handling

The procedure for sealing, tagging, and storing controlled substances and related paraphernalia.

Hazardous Evidence

Dangerous materials that require special handling and are not stored in the Property Room.

Lab Submission Form

A form filled out by officers when submitting evidence for laboratory examination.

Chain of Custody

The process of maintaining and documenting the handling of evidence to ensure its integrity.

Destruction of Evidence

The process of disposing of evidence that has no intrinsic value, authorized by the investigator.

Release of Evidence

The procedure for returning seized property to its rightful owner after proper identification and authorization.

Firearm Evidence Processing

The procedure for recording, photographing, and processing firearms recovered from a crime scene.

Blood Evidence Recovery

The method of collecting blood at a crime scene without contamination by packaging it correctly.

Latent Prints Processing

The technique for preserving fingerprint evidence at a crime scene.

Evidence Technician

An officer trained specifically to handle and process evidence at crime scenes.

Recovered Stolen Property

Items identified as stolen that must be held until a court order determines their fate.

Contraband

Illegal property that cannot be possessed, may include drugs, weapons, or counterfeit items.

Abandoned Property

Property of value that is left behind and can be seized for safekeeping until the owner is located.

Search Warrant

A legal document authorizing law enforcement to search a specific location for evidence.

Civil Attachments

Property seized under a valid court order in a civil or criminal matter.

Intrinsically Valuable Evidence

Evidence items such as cameras or firearms which have significant worth and require special handling.

Property Room Personnel

The officers responsible for managing and securing the evidence in the Property Room.

Evidence Disposal Procedures

Legal protocols for disposing of seized property as outlined in the CCP.

Inventory List

A detailed list of all property seized, which is filed with a magistrate or court.

Evidentiary Value

The importance of an item as proof in a legal proceeding, affecting how it is handled.

Processing for Latent Prints

The investigation procedure involving the collection of fingerprint evidence from a scene.

Responsibility for Property from Deceased Persons

Guidelines for handling personal items found on deceased individuals, assigned to the Medical Examiner.

Narcotics Paraphernalia

Items used in the consumption of drugs that need to be tagged separately from controlled substances.

Property Release Authorization

Official permission required from both investigators and courts to return property to its owner.

Evidence Technician Signing,

The act of an Evidence Technician signing for evidence before it's removed from the Property Room.

Handling of Stolen Vehicles

Procedures governing the disposition and release of vehicles recovered as stolen property.

Seized Weapons Protocol

Guidelines for handling and disposing of weapons seized by law enforcement.

Photographing Evidence

The practice of documenting evidence visually before it is processed or released.

Form for Recovered Property

Documentation that must accompany any property retrieved from potential theft.

Property Custody Rules

Procedures regulating how law enforcement manages found or seized property.

Crime Scene Management

The overall process of securing and investigating a crime scene to collect evidence.

Controlled Substances Handling

Rules regarding the tagging, storing, and disposal of illegal drugs.

Offense Report Inventory

A report containing an inventory of seized items submitted to the court during an arrest.

Evidence Release Procedures

Legal processes for the return of evidence to owners after verification.

Investigator's Role in Evidence Handling

Duties of an investigator concerning evidence collection, processing, and legal compliance.

Disposal of Contraband

The process followed for the lawful destruction or disposal of illegal items.

State Provisions for Crime Scene Evidence

Legal guidelines outlined in the CCP regulating how evidence is managed in criminal cases.

Court Orders for Property Release

Legal documents required for the return of seized property to its rightful owners.

Witnessing Evidence Submission

The necessary requirement of documenting evidence submission by an authorized officer.

Property Handling Procedures

Guidelines that must be followed for managing property collected during investigations.

Legal Justifications for Seizures

Circumstances under which law enforcement can legally seize property during an investigation.

Photographing Stolen Property

The act of capturing images of recovered items to document their condition before any actions are taken.

Authority of Officer at Scene

The legal power held by the officer to control and secure a crime scene.

Protocol for Abandoned Property

The method by which law enforcement deals with valuable items left unattended.

Documentation of Evidence for Legal Proceedings

The requirement of maintaining detailed records of evidence for use in courts.

Procedures for Evidence Submission to Labs

Steps taken for the proper submission of evidence for scientific examination.

Stolen Property Inventory Filing

The requirement for officers to file a documented list of stolen property with a court.

Evidence Collection is the process of _______ and documenting evidence from a crime scene or incident.

gathering

The BCSO Property Room is the designated area where _______ and property seized by the BCSO are stored.

evidence

Physical Evidence Tagging involves _______ physical evidence immediately after it is collected, noting details in a property log.

labeling

Narcotics Evidence Handling refers to the procedure for sealing, tagging, and _______ controlled substances and related paraphernalia.

storing

Hazardous Evidence includes dangerous materials that require _______ handling and are not stored in the Property Room.

special

A Lab Submission Form is filled out by officers when _______ evidence for laboratory examination.

submitting

The Chain of Custody is essential for maintaining and documenting the _______ of evidence to ensure its integrity.

handling

Destruction of Evidence refers to the process of _______ evidence that has no intrinsic value, authorized by the investigator.

disposing of

The Release of Evidence procedure involves returning seized property to its rightful _______ after proper identification and authorization.

owner

Blood Evidence Recovery aims to collect blood at a crime scene without _______ by packaging it correctly.

contamination

What is Evidence Collection?

The process of gathering and documenting evidence from a crime scene or incident.

What does the BCSO Property Room hold?

The BCSO Property Room holds evidence and property seized by the BCSO.

What is the purpose of Physical Evidence Tagging?

To label physical evidence immediately after it is collected and note details in a property log.

What does Narcotics Evidence Handling involve?

Sealing, tagging, and storing controlled substances and related paraphernalia.

What qualifies as Hazardous Evidence?

Dangerous materials that require special handling and cannot be stored in the Property Room.

What is documented in a Lab Submission Form?

Details filled out by officers when submitting evidence for laboratory examination.

Why is Chain of Custody important?

It ensures the integrity of evidence by documenting its handling and maintenance.

What is the Destruction of Evidence process?

The legal procedure for disposing of evidence that has no intrinsic value, authorized by the investigator.

How is evidence returned to its rightful owner?

Through the Release of Evidence procedure, following proper identification and authorization.

What should be avoided during Blood Evidence Recovery?

Contamination, which must be prevented by correctly packaging the collected blood.