by making the entry below the last voucher recorded and drawing a straight line
from the entry to the right and left margins of the ledger. (This includes entries
such as temporary absence of custodian, change of custodian, or recording
inspections, inventories, and inquiries.)
Maintaining Physical Evidence
First and foremost, evidence will be stored so that the integrity and physical
characteristics are maintained.
Items such as weapons will be kept in a clean,
rust-free condition ensuring their value as evidence is not destroyed.
Fingerprint cards obtained for comparison need not be maintained in the evidence
room. They will be kept in the proper case file. When such cards are sent to a
laboratory for comparison with other evidence from the evidence room, the card need
not be listed on a DA Form 4137.
The description on the laboratory request is
enough to connect the card with the evidence. When returned from the laboratory,
the fingerprint card will be put back in the proper case file.
Documents that may prove or disprove a point in question will be kept in the
evidence room.
This might include insufficient fund checks, forged or altered
documents, and other questioned documents.
Statements, records, and other
documents routinely associated with an investigation will not be kept in the
evidence room.
When it is necessary to retain large items like vehicles, they may be kept in an
impound lot, warehouse, or other reasonably secure place.
Releasing Physical Evidence
The original DA Form 4137 will go with the evidence when it is temporarily released
from the evidence room. The first copy of DA Form 4137 will be detached from the
original and put in suspense when the original--
o
Goes with evidence to a United States Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory
(USACIL), Article 32 investigating officer, or courts-martial.
o
Is temporarily released from the evidence room for any official reason.
At least three suspense folders will be kept as follows:
o
One labeled "USACIL" for evidence sent to laboratories.
o
One labeled "Adjudication" for evidence on temporary release to Article 32
investigating officers, courts, staff judge advocate (SJA) officers, or other
persons for legal proceedings.
o
One labeled "Pending Disposition Approval" for the first
copy
when
the
original form is sent to the SJA for approval of disposition.
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