Unit 5.6
Evidence and Sampling
Objectives
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Evaluation of the scene
Scene photography
Scene search
Scene sketching techniques
Sample collection
Sample packaging
Tracking and chain of custody
Important Fact
• As first responders you
are the only people who
view the crime scene in
its original condition!
Evidence
• Any object or material which a suspect or
victim leaves at a crime scene, takes from
a crime scene, or which otherwise may be
connected with a crime.
Importance of proper preservation
and handling
– Potential high exposure incidents
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Environmental crimes
Clandestine lab operations
Terrorism
Lawsuits
Chemical suicides
Other crime scenes
Proper sampling
– Helps in
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Determine material identity
Laboratory analysis “gold standard”
Public safety analysis
– Proper collection/handling
– Proper transfer/analysis
Concerns about location
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A crime scene
An incident with significant liability concerns
Extensive cost recovery considerations
Exposure documentation purposes for
employee or bystander health reasons
Responders
– Jobs made difficult by:
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Critical response time
Perform duties while considering evidence
Need to get people, equipment and yourself out
without destroying evidence
FBI 12 step process
– Step 1: Preparation
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Pre-incident activities necessary to prepare
for the sampling mission
– Step 2: Approach of scene
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During response to the scene, obtain as much
additional awareness as possible
Once on scene, review any existing site safety
plans or incident action plans that has already
been developed
Begin developing your size-up as to potential
resource needs and safety issues that may be
present
FBI 12 Step
– Step 3: Protection of scene
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Isolate the immediate scene and evacuate any
endangered individuals
Removal of non-essential personnel
Securing scene (barrier control)
Search warrant considerations
FBI 12 Step
– Step 4: Preliminary survey
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Safety considerations
Cursory search identifying obvious items of
evidence
Create a “game plan”
Complete a rough sketch
FBI 12 Step
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Step 5: Evaluation possibilities
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Is going to be scene dependent
Samples must be sufficient to either:
Do not attempt to sample everything
Develop a written sampling plan
FBI 12 Step
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Step 6: Prepare narrative
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Record pertinent data immediately
Arrival
Actions taken
Personnel present
Presence of evidence that was visible
without searching
– Scene entry
FBI 12 Step
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Step 7: Depict scene photographically
– Videotape
– Photography
– Depictions
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Step 8: Diagram scene
– Rough sketch
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Final sketch
Methods
FBI 12 Step
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Step 9: Conduct sampling
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Assemble necessary supplies
Establish and communicate objectives to sampling
team during pre-entry briefing
Prepare personnel
Use proper approach and maintain safety
awareness
Aseptic techniques
Sampling primary containers
For all samples
A “blank” or “control” container for each primary
sample container
FBI 12 Step
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Step 10: Record and collect
– All samples shall have and maintain
individual chain of Custody
– All individual samples are then transferred to
and maintained by an evidence custodian
FBI 12 Step
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Step 11: Final survey
– Final entry is made into the area to ensure
that all necessary samples have been
collected and that all safety issues have
been addressed.
– This review may include a detailed
additional search to ensure no items of
evidence have been overlooked.
FBI 12 Step
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Step 12: Release of scene
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Proper disposal of hazardous waste will be a
primary concern
Hazardous waste is generally segregated and
disposed of based upon hazard class
Scene is released to property owner/contractor or
other agency.
Hazards present must be clearly communicated to
the receiving authority.
Any re-entry by law enforcement or fire personnel
may require a new search warrant.
Management of Sampling
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Incident response timeline
– Pre-event planning (FBI Step 1)
– Response phase (FBI Step 2)
– Termination phase (FBI Steps 11 & 12)
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Considerations
– Representative sample
– Appropriate amount of sample
– Contamination of sample
Sample with Purpose
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Waste disposal classification
Screening
Identify hazards
Determine risk
Sample should be “targeted”
Eventual prosecution
Guidance
– EPA SW 846
– NIOSH Handbook of Analytical Methods
– Florida Comprehensive Emergency
Management Plan — Biological
Response Policy
– Florida SERC Hazardous Materials
Sampling Model Procedure
Quality Assurance
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Quality assurance plan
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Written site specific sampling plan
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Policy and procedures
Limits down range time
Defines objectives
Reinforces quality control
Identifies supplies needed
Blanks
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Taken down range
Not opened
Handled as real samples
Equipment
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Initial Detection
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pH
Radiological
CWA detection
Combustibility/O2
PID
Equipment
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Downrange screening
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Rayon/Dacron swabs
Copan© swabs
PBS with Tween 20
De-ionized/distilled water
Parafilm®/Teflon tape
Kill bucket
Documentation supplies
Decontamination
supplies
Labels/seals/vials/overpacks/bags
– Tools
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Liquid sampling tools
Dry sampling tools
Gas/vapor sampling tools