Part I provides general information on physical evidence. Topics addressed are staff and services, the role of physical evidence, and the handling of physical evidence. The latter topic encompasses the preservation and documentation of the crime scene, the gathering of all potential physical evidence, correct marking of evidence, maintenance of the chain of custody, and the prevention of contamination. Guidelines for the prevention of contamination focus on proper handling and the proper packaging of specific types of evidence. Part II provides guidelines for the collection and preservation of physical evidence. Procedures are specified for the collection and preservation of various types of evidence, including bloodstain patterns, blood and body fluids, clothing, hairs and fibers, glass, paint, miscellaneous trace evidence, known samples, fingerprints, footwear and tire impressions, firearms evidence, bullets and casings, tools/tool marks, and photography. Part III pertains to the procedure for requesting services from the crime laboratory. Part IV explains instrumentation and procedures used in the analysis of various types of evidence, and Part V presents the medical examiner's perspective on cases of suspicious deaths and the movement of bodies. Appended FBI policy regarding testing for gunshot residues; infant/child death investigation protocol; protocol for the investigation of violent, unnatural, unattended, unexplained, suspicious, or suspected deaths; and a glossary