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Trace Evidence Recovery Guidelines

NCJ Number
218838
Journal
Forensic Science Communications Volume: 1 Issue: 3 Dated: October 1999 Pages: 1-9
Date Published
October 1999
Length
9 pages
Annotation
The FBI Laboratory's Scientific Working Group on Materials Analysis Evidence Committee presents guidelines for trace evidence recovery.
Abstract
The guidelines cover procedures and techniques for the documentation, detection, collection, and preservation of trace evidence from crime scenes, individuals, and items submitted to the laboratory for examination. Guidelines on documentation of trace evidence address the creation of a file for the case, the documentation of questioned and known trace evidence collection, the chain of custody, and the labeling of the evidence. Guidelines are presented for preventing contamination and loss of trace materials when collecting or examining items. Separate guidelines cover techniques for detection, collection and preservation of trace evidence. The techniques mentioned are picking, lifting, scraping, vacuum sweeping, combing, and clipping. Guidelines for site and special collection considerations focus on attention to laws that govern search warrants, searches, and seizures in a given jurisdiction; the prioritizing of trace evidence in relation to other evidence in a case; the collection of material for comparison with questioned evidence; and documentation and collection procedures for patterned marks or impressions. A guideline also calls attention to the possibility of physically matching a fractured, broken, torn, or cut portion of an object to its source. Guidelines for evidence security focus on keeping trace evidence in secure, controlled-access areas that provide protection from loss, damage, or contamination. Training requirements for trace evidence collection personnel are contained in the guidelines as well. 3 references and a 35-item bibliography