Windows
The number of windows must be kept to the minimum. Preferably there should not be windows at ground level.
All windows must be covered with steel or iron bars or steel mesh. When bars are used, they will be at least 3/8-
inch thick, and vertical bars must not be more than 4-inches apart. Horizontal bars must be welded to vertical
bars and spaced so that openings between bars do not exceed 32 square inches. Ends of the bars must be securely
embedded in the wall or welded to a steel channel frame fastened securely to the window casing. Acceptable steel
mesh can be locally fabricated from high carbon steel, not less than .15-inch thick, with a grid of not more than 2
inches from center to center. Six-gauge steel mesh with a 2-inch diamond grid may be used in areas where high
carbon steel is not readily available. The steel mesh must be welded or secured to a steel channel frame and
fastened to the building by smooth headed bolts extending through the entire window casing. The steel mesh
must be spot welded or branded on the interior or cemented into the structure itself. If central air conditioning is
not available, local units may be installed in windows or outside walls provided the same security measures are
taken.
Interior Security
A separate container for each category of sensitive evidence is not required. At least one container, depending on
requirements, must be available for additional security of high value items such as watches and jewelry. Small
amounts of narcotic evidence, such as a package of marijuana cigarettes, pillboxes, and capsules, may be stored in
bins or shelves along with other evidence. All firearms and ammunition evidence will be stored in an approved
safe. AR 190-11 does not apply to evidence depositories. The containers may be field safes, filing cabinets,
lockers, or locally fabricated containers capable of being secured with at least one locking device. Containers
weighing less than 500 pounds must be secured to the structure so removal is as difficult as penetrating the
container itself would be. This may be accomplished by use of a heavy chain secured to the container and
fastened to a part of the building such as a radiator, water pipe, or eyelet installed for this specific purpose. When
several containers are used, they may be fastened together without being fastened to the structure, providing the
combined weight of all the containers fastened together is at least 500 pounds. The containers and any chains
attached thereto may be secured with either heavy pin-tumbler padlocks or combination padlocks.
The evidence depository must be equipped with bins, cabinets, or shelves as space permits to allow for neat and
orderly arrangement of evidence on hand. The use of adjustable shelves is recommended whenever possible.
Uniform size envelopes arranged numerically by document numbers are recommended when storing small items
such as controlled substances on shelves. Evidence depositories, whenever possible, should be of sufficient size
to provide space for a table or desk within the depository itself for the custodian to use while processing incoming
and outgoing evidence. A refrigerator is required as a permanent fixture in the evidence depository.
MP2002
2-46
Previous Page
