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| Evidence
Storage |
| The basis of forensic
science is analysis, which emphasises the need for uncontaminated
evidence and consequently proper evidence preservation. The storage
of important artefacts and objects ensures the possibilities of contamination
are reduced to a minimal and therefore, give accurate clues to fuel
the investigation. |
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Choose a topic from below to read further:
--> During
an autopsy
--> The
custody chain
--> Temporary
storage
--> Long
term storage
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| Copyright
2004-2005 Thinkquest Team 00206 |
| During
An Autopsy |
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| Properly preserving and
storing the evidence is a vital part of the autopsy. At the start
of the autopsy, the coroners
have to make sure that everything is hygienic, so to avoid contamination
of the evidence on the body and also for health reasons. Once the
autopsy has begun, samples from major organs, tissues, bodily fluids,
blood, hair, fingernails, mouth, sexual organs and rectum are taken
and placed in contamination proofed sample containers. The major individual
organs are weighed and the containers of samples are then stored in
refrigerated storage areas until they can be sent away for further
testing and analysis. It is important that the evidence collection
and storage is done properly, as this evidence will be included in
a coroner's report that will be presented in a court of law. |
| Copyright
2004-2005 Thinkquest Team 00206 |
| The
Custody Chain |
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| In terms of evidence
storage in general however, the main requirement is, that one or more
people will be able to testify for the item's security from the moment
it was collected to the object's appearance in court, a process often
referred to as the 'custody chain'. Temporary evidence storage forms
the most susceptible link in the custody chain, as this is the period
when evidence leaves one officer's hands (usually at the police station)
to when the evidence is safely collected by another officer to be
stored in the property room. During this period, the evidence should
be safely stored in some form of secure storage, for example, in secure
lockers with automatic locking systems to prevent the need for keys
or locks. |
| Copyright
2004-2005 Thinkquest Team 00206 |
| Temporary
Storage |
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| If
temporary storage for biological evidence such as bodily fluids or
DNA sample is needed, refrigerated or frozen storage compartments
may be used where appropriate to keep such evidence from evaporating.
Hazardous biological materials, mainly reactive/flammable chemicals,
are placed safely away from air vents and air conditioning systems
and often in an airtight situation to prevent
oxidisation
or some form of reaction. |
| Copyright
2004-2005 Thinkquest Team 00206 |
| Long
Term Storage |
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| Long term evidence storage
is slightly different to that of temporary evidence storage. Firearms
are stored separately in a secure and confined area with the protection
of a security screen and are placed in vertical racks. Vaults or safes
are the storage devices for any currency evidence, as would be expected,
while audio/video recordings are kept away from humid conditions,
magnetic
fields and direct sunlight. In general, the storage of the
evidence must ensure its security and protection from any form of
damage, so as to achieve the most accurate results during analysis.
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