1. Unit 5.6
Evidence and Sampling

2. Objectives Evaluation of the scene Scene photography Scene search
Scene sketching techniques
Sample collection
Sample packaging
Tracking and chain of custody

3. Important Fact
As first responders you are the only people who view the crime scene in its original condition!

4. Evidence
Any object or material which a suspect or victim leaves at a crime scene, takes from a crime scene, or which otherwise may be connected with a crime.

5. Importance of proper preservation and handling
Potential high exposure incidents
Environmental crimes
Clandestine lab operations
Terrorism
Lawsuits
Chemical suicides
Other crime scenes

6. Proper sampling Helps in Determine material identity
Laboratory analysis “gold standard”
Public safety analysis
Proper collection/handling
Proper transfer/analysis

7. Concerns about location
A crime scene
An incident with significant liability concerns
Extensive cost recovery considerations
Exposure documentation purposes for employee or bystander health reasons

8. Responders Jobs made difficult by: Critical response time
Perform duties while considering evidence
Need to get people, equipment and yourself out without destroying evidence

9. FBI 12 step process Step 1: Preparation Step 2: Approach of scene
Pre-incident activities necessary to prepare for the sampling mission
Step 2: Approach of scene
During response to the scene, obtain as much additional awareness as possible
Once on scene, review any existing site safety plans or incident action plans that has already been developed
Begin developing your size-up as to potential resource needs and safety issues that may be present

10. FBI 12 Step Step 3: Protection of scene
Isolate the immediate scene and evacuate any endangered individuals
Removal of non-essential personnel
Securing scene (barrier control)
Search warrant considerations

11. FBI 12 Step Step 4: Preliminary survey Safety considerations
Cursory search identifying obvious items of evidence
Create a “game plan”
Complete a rough sketch

12. FBI 12 Step Step 5: Evaluation possibilities
Is going to be scene dependent
Samples must be sufficient to either:
Do not attempt to sample everything
Develop a written sampling plan

13. FBI 12 Step Step 6: Prepare narrative
Record pertinent data immediately
Arrival
Actions taken
Personnel present
Presence of evidence that was visible without searching
Scene entry

14. FBI 12 Step Step 7: Depict scene photographically
Videotape
Photography
Depictions
Step 8: Diagram scene
Rough sketch
Final sketch
Methods

15. FBI 12 Step Step 9: Conduct sampling Assemble necessary supplies
Establish and communicate objectives to sampling team during pre-entry briefing
Prepare personnel
Use proper approach and maintain safety awareness
Aseptic techniques
Sampling primary containers
For all samples
A “blank” or “control” container for each primary sample container

16. FBI 12 Step Step 10: Record and collect
All samples shall have and maintain individual chain of Custody
All individual samples are then transferred to and maintained by an evidence custodian

17. FBI 12 Step Step 11: Final survey
Final entry is made into the area to ensure that all necessary samples have been collected and that all safety issues have been addressed.
This review may include a detailed additional search to ensure no items of evidence have been overlooked.

18. FBI 12 Step Step 12: Release of scene
Proper disposal of hazardous waste will be a primary concern
Hazardous waste is generally segregated and disposed of based upon hazard class
Scene is released to property owner/contractor or other agency.
Hazards present must be clearly communicated to the receiving authority.
Any re-entry by law enforcement or fire personnel may require a new search warrant.

19. Management of Sampling
Incident response timeline
Pre-event planning (FBI Step 1)
Response phase (FBI Step 2)
Termination phase (FBI Steps 11 & 12)
Considerations
Representative sample
Appropriate amount of sample
Contamination of sample

20. Sample with Purpose Waste disposal classification Screening
Identify hazards
Determine risk
Sample should be “targeted”
Eventual prosecution

21. Guidance EPA SW 846 NIOSH Handbook of Analytical Methods
Florida Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan — Biological Response Policy
Florida SERC Hazardous Materials Sampling Model Procedure

22. Quality Assurance Quality assurance plan
Policy and procedures
Written site specific sampling plan
Limits down range time
Defines objectives
Reinforces quality control
Identifies supplies needed
Blanks
Taken down range
Not opened
Handled as real samples

23. Equipment Initial Detection pH Radiological CWA detection
Combustibility/O2
PID

24. Equipment Downrange screening Tools Rayon/Dacron swabs
Copan© swabs
PBS with Tween 20
De-ionized/distilled water
Parafilm®/Teflon tape
Kill bucket
Documentation supplies
Decontamination supplies
Labels/seals/vials/over-packs/bags
Tools
Liquid sampling tools
Dry sampling tools
Gas/vapor sampling tools