Best Practices for Collection, Packaging, Storage, Preservation, and Retrieval of Biological Evidence

Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory Service

   See also the instructional videos on "Evidence Collection"

Evidence Collection

Biological evidence and materials should be collected in a manner that prevents contamination and degradation and ensures integrity during all phases of the investigation and litigation. To avoid contamination, sample collection tools and materials must be free from human DNA. Disposable latex examination gloves, individually wrapped swabs or other individually wrapped items are free of human DNA by virtue of the process of manufacture. Not all germicidal treatments destroy DNA. Alcohol and hydrogen peroxide, for instance, do not destroy DNA. The most effective way to clean collection equipment is to wipe it with a fresh 10% bleach solution of 10:1 water to bleach. (Any commercially available bleach is adequate for this purpose.)

 Earn a Degree in Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Science, Computer Forensics or Forensic Psychology

Read the report:

---