Collecting Evidence
Physical evidence should be collected and described in detail. The evidence should
be based on what the investigator observed and not on assumptions.
Descriptions
should include the following:
o
Items (identify by common name).
o
Quantity (number or amount).
o
Location (where found).
o
Color (description).
o
Size (small, large).
o
Construction (material made of).
o
Identifying marks or features.
o
Condition.
Special care should be given to examining the scene for additional evidence or
trace evidence. Control and storage of physical evidence must be done in a manner
that protects the evidence in its original condition as closely as possible.
Excessive handling should be avoided.
If the investigator touches a piece of evidence and leaves his fingerprints on the
article, he must indicate this fact in his notes. This will assist the laboratory
if they make an examination of the evidence.
Collection of the evidence is
conducted in a manner to preserve the value of the item as evidence.
The
investigator must handle the evidence as little as possible. There are recommended
methods for handling specific items of evidence. These methods are outlined in FM
19-20. (See Figure 2-2 for an excerpt.)
Marking Evidence
In addition to taking appropriate notes, the MP investigator must mark the evidence
so that it can be identified at a later time.
The evidence should be marked as soon as possible.
The mark should be made in a
place least likely to affect the--
o
Appearance.
o
Monetary or intrinsic value.
o
Evidentiary value.
MP2004
2-8
Previous Page
