Title: Describe the collection of physical evidence.
Course: Criminal Justice I (15051-I) > Section: Investigating a Crime Scene

Description should include

- documenting the evidence (e.g., photography, placement in diagram, notes)
- acquiring an appropriate sample or quantity
- acquiring a control sample
- preserving the evidence (i.e., using appropriate materials based on type of evidence)
- packaging the evidence (i.e., marking with case number, date, time, item number, location, initials)
- establishing and preserving the chain of custody.

Process/Skill Questions:

- Who is responsible for establishing the chain of custody?
- Why is documentation of evidence important when collecting evidence?
- What are things an officer must consider when deciding the best way to package evidence?