General Rules for the Collection and Preservation of Biological Materials

a. Use protective gloves.

1) If possible, avoid touching individual smears/traces. Remember that gloves can entail a risk of
contamination.

2) Change gloves after handling each kind of material and otherwise as necessary.

3) Use disposable equipment for preliminary tests and collection of trace evidence.

4) Cover surfaces where materials are to be placed with protective paper. Keep victims and suspects
clothes separate.

b. Avoid coughing or sneezing on evidence/materials. c. Packaging of biological materials.

1) Use paper packaging for all biological materials or materials that are soiled with biological matter.
Although plastic bags are useful in many cases, they cannot be recommended for routine use on account
of residual moisture.

2) Separate outer packages are to be used for trace evidence and for clothes from persons involved.

3) Do not mix materials/samples from different people, for example clothes, in the same parcel.

4) Fold the opening of the bag twice and seal with tape. Envelopes should also be sealed with tape.

d. Special precautions

1) Make an explicit note if a person from whom material has been collected is suspected of having an
infectious disease.

2) Prevent contamination by avoiding all contact between collected evidence and clothes seized from
people.

3) Packages containing collected materials must not be opened until the examination in the laboratory is
to commence. The only exception is when moist or wet material must be dried out under normal room
conditions.

Acceptable packaging containers (depending on the type of evidence) include:

a. Paper bags

b. Plastic bags (clear plastic is preferred for drug cases)

c. Boxes - sturdy cardboard

d. Manila envelopes

e. Small glass vials (typically arson and liquid drugs)

f. Metal cans (typically arson)

g. Fire debris bags

3. Acceptable seals

a. Tamper proof evidence tape

b. Reinforced packaging tape

c. Heat seal

d. Evidence Sealing tags

A package is considered sealed if the contents cannot readily escape and the seal/container has not
been tampered with. Staples should never be used to seal evidence MANILA ENVELOPE CLASPS, ZIPLOCK
BAGS DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN ACCEPTABLE SEAL.

The individual sealing the evidence will place their initials or individual identifier across the seal or tape
onto the package itself.

Information on each package should minimally include:

a. Name of the Agency

b. Agency case number

c. Item number

d. Date

e. The investigators identifier

6. Additionally, packaging of Criminal Cases should include:

a. Where the item was found

b. By whom

c. Date & time found

d. Description of item