Evidence and Property Management Flashcards

An officer responds to a residential burglary. The homeowner points out a pry bar left by the suspect. According to the FDLE Crime Laboratory Evidence Submission Manual, what is the MOST appropriate initial action for the officer to take regarding this piece of evidence?

Answer: Photograph the pry bar in its original location before collecting it.

The FDLE Evidence Submission Manual emphasizes the importance of documenting the scene as it appears upon arrival. This includes photographing evidence in its original location before it is moved or collected. This procedure preserves the context of the evidence, which can be crucial for the investigation and subsequent prosecution.

Which of the following best describes the primary purpose of maintaining a strict 'chain of custody' for all evidence collected?

Answer: To provide a chronological paper trail of everyone who has handled the evidence, ensuring its integrity and admissibility in court.

The chain of custody is a critical legal concept that establishes the chronological documentation of the seizure, custody, control, transfer, analysis, and disposition of evidence. A properly maintained chain of custody proves the evidence's integrity and demonstrates that it has not been tampered with, which is essential for it to be admissible in court.

An officer seizes a firearm as evidence in a felony investigation. According to standard procedure and the FDLE Crime Laboratory Evidence Submission Manual, how should the firearm and its ammunition be packaged and submitted?

Answer: The firearm should be rendered safe and unloaded, with the ammunition packaged separately.

Safety is paramount when handling firearm evidence. The FDLE manual and standard law enforcement procedures require firearms to be unloaded and made safe before packaging. Ammunition must always be packaged separately from the firearm to prevent accidental discharge and ensure safety during transport and storage.

Under Florida Statutes, what is the required waiting period after the final disposition of a criminal proceeding before title to unclaimed evidence permanently vests in the law enforcement agency?

Answer: 60 days

Florida Statute 705.105 states that title to unclaimed evidence shall vest permanently in the law enforcement agency 60 days after the conclusion of the proceeding, provided no claim of ownership has been made.

An officer collects wet, blood-stained clothing from a crime scene. To properly preserve the biological evidence, what is the correct procedure before final packaging?

Answer: The clothing must be thoroughly air-dried in a secure and controlled environment.

Packaging wet biological evidence in a plastic bag will cause it to degrade due to moisture and bacterial growth, destroying its evidentiary value. The proper procedure is to allow the item to air-dry completely in a secure location, such as a drying room, before packaging it in a breathable container like a paper bag.

A property and evidence technician is conducting a routine inventory. Which of the following items requires the highest level of security, typically stored in a separate, locked compartment or vault?

Answer: Narcotics and controlled substances.

Due to their high value, potential for misuse, and strict legal control, narcotics, controlled substances, currency, and firearms are considered high-security items. Agencies must store them in the most secure areas of the evidence facility, often a vault or a separate, specially secured locker, to prevent theft, loss, or unauthorized access.