1. Evidence Collection, Tagging and Storage
National Certified Investigator/Inspector Training
Specialized Program
<Instructor Name>
<Agency>

2. I. General
The investigator’s job is to collect and maintain all of the possibly relevant evidence to ensure that it is available and in proper condition if it is needed for a hearing

3. II. Obtaining Evidence Planning Evidence Collection
Identify possible sources
Identify possible types/forms of evidence
Anticipate problems in obtaining evidence
Anticipate problems in maintaining evidence
Organizational procedures

4. II. Obtaining Evidence Possible Sources Searches
Behaviour Generated Evidence
Surveillance/Undercover Operation
Individuals, Business or Government
Databases
Scientific Evidence
Demonstrative Evidence
Commonly Forgotten Sources

5. II. Obtaining Evidence Searches Legally authorized Planned Controlled
Methodical
Detailed
Documented

6. II. Obtaining Evidence Behavior Generated Evidence
Putting yourself in the shoes of the alleged wrongdoer
Reconstruction of the situation or event
Pay close attention to what you touch, look at or would think could be used to conceal your actions

7. Surveillance II. Obtaining Evidence Undercover/covert vs. Overt
Planning is critical
Duration- what is the objective?
Use of electronics

8. II. Obtaining Evidence Individuals, Business or Government
Consider who to interview and how they are related to the event
Be aware of issues of credibility, hostility, bias and personal interest
Collect written statements from witnesses whenever possible

9. II. Obtaining Evidence Databases
Increasing reliance on computers for data storage
Technical assistance can be required to extract information
Be aware of organizational policies related to electronic media and communications
Many policies are not keeping up with and social media

10. II. Obtaining Evidence Scientific Evidence
Laboratory samples and test results
Investigators must collect samples in such a way that they can be tested and presented at hearing
Ensure you have access to a lab that can run the required tests

11. II. Obtaining Evidence Demonstrative Evidence
Evidence that supports testimony and makes facts more understandable – i.e. photos, maps, recreations
Photographs:
One person photographing
General to specific
Record date and time
Photograph everything
Use measuring scale
Consistent technique

12. II. Obtaining Evidence Commonly Forgotten Sources
Files, diaries, telephone bills, credit card purchases, evaluations, weather service
Security equipment or personnel
Telephones and answering machines or services
Calendars or appointment books

13. II. Obtaining Evidence
Electronic Communications and Electronically Stored Records
Electronic Communications
Electronic mail
Text messaging
Instant messaging
Social media

14. II. Obtaining Evidence Electronically Stored Records
Issues associated with electronically stored records
Policies and procedures for paperless records
Social media as an information source
Using social media in investigations
Charter Issues

15. II. Obtaining Evidence
Legislative Authority to Compel Production of Information and Privacy
Authority to compel production
Privacy Legislation
Personal health information

16. III. Maintaining Evidence
Preserving Identity
Marking
Tagging
Sealing and Labeling
Identification

17. III. Maintaining Evidence
Preserving Evidence
Adequate Control
Log access to the evidence
Limit access as much as possible
Security Measures

18. III. Maintaining Evidence
Consequences of poor procedure or practice
Unavailable Evidence
Unauthenticated Evidence
Damaged Evidence

19. III. Maintaining Evidence
Disposition of unneeded evidence
Is the case closed?
Other related cases
Return evidence, if permitted

20. IV. Practical Exercises
Case Study 1
Who will you want to interview? In what order?
Do you anticipate any obstacles in obtaining statements from the individuals you want to interview? Which interviewees and what obstacles?
List the evidence you will want to retrieve (i.e., classification and form)
Do you anticipate any problems in the collection and/or preservation of evidence? Which pieces of evidence and what problems?
What will you do today?
Use as many or few of the case studies as you wish… you can address one or two with the whole group or break them up into smaller groups and do all four

21. IV. Practical Exercises
Case Study 2
What are the elements of a violation of Section 2 of the Code of Conduct?
What evidence will you need? List the evidence and indicate the form (i.e., real, testimonial or demonstrative)
Do you see any difficulties in proving or disproving any of the elements of the regulation?
How will you go about collecting evidence of damage Doe suffered as a result of the contractor's actions?
Use as many or few of the case studies as you wish… you can address one or two with the whole group or break them up into smaller groups and do all four

22. IV. Practical Exercises
Case Study 3
Is the investigation adversely affected because the complaint was anonymous?
What are the elements of section 4 of the governing legislation?
List the testimonial evidence you will want to obtain. Classify the evidence as direct or circumstantial. Do you perceive any obstacles to obtaining the evidence?
Use as many or few of the case studies as you wish… you can address one or two with the whole group or break them up into smaller groups and do all four

23. IV. Practical Exercises
Case Study 3 (Continued)
List the real evidence you will want to obtain. Classify the evidence as direct or circumstantial. Do you perceive any obstacles to obtaining the evidence?
During the investigation, you interviewed Robert Smith who is listed as the president of the company. He states that Build-A-House, Inc. employs Homer Smith as a construction manager. How would this affect your investigation?
Use as many or few of the case studies as you wish… you can address one or two with the whole group or break them up into smaller groups and do all four

24. Evidence Collection Review Questions

25. Photographs of a complaint scene should be taken from:
Review Question 1
Photographs of a complaint scene should be taken from:
Specific to General.
General to Specific.
Left to Right.
Right to Left.

26. Review Question 2
Marking the appropriate identifying information directly on an item is the best way of identifying evidence, unless:
There is a bag in which the item can be contained.
Never, marking on the item is not the best way to identify evidence.
Your identifying information is not as pretty as the item.
The marking will destroy the evidentiary value of the item.

27. Review Question 3
Maintaining Evidence is very important because poor procedures with evidence can lead to:
A thorough investigation.
Suspicion from the Board.
Evidence being unavailable, unauthenticated, or damaged.

28. Evidence Collection, Tagging & Storage Summary (1 of 1)
Mark the identifying information directly on the piece of evidence
Poor evidence handling can lead to evidence being unavailable, unauthenticated or damaged

29. NCIT Basic Evaluations
Evidence Collection, Tagging and Storage

30. In general, this instructor:
Unacceptable
Needs to Improve
Is Good
Is Very Good
Excellent

31. The style of delivery:
Unacceptable
Needs to Improve
Is Good
Is Very Good
Excellent

32. The content:
Unacceptable
Needs to Improve
Is Good
Is Very Good
Excellent

33. The amount of material covered:
Unacceptable
Needs to Improve
Is Good
Is Very Good
Excellent

34. The usefulness of this session :
Unacceptable
Needs to Improve
Is Good
Is Very Good
Excellent