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Date: 02/14/08 Revision: 10/22/21 Reviewed: 03/05/25 HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE CHAD CHRONISTER , SHERIFF STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE Number: GEN 504.024 Page: 1 of 2 SUBJECT: DNA EVIDENC E COLLECTION PROCEDURES I. PURPOSE : The purpose of this standard operating procedure is to establish guidelines for the proper collection, handling, storage, and transportation of DNA evidence. II. SCOPE : This procedure shall apply to all personnel in contac t with DNA evidence. III. DISCUSSION : As with all evidence, DNA evidence shall be collected , handled, and stored in such a manner as to preserve the integrity of the evidence and maintain chain of custody. IV. DEFINITION : DNA Evidence - Any type of evidence s ample suitable for submission of DNA testing (blood, semen, saliva, vaginal fluid, hairs with follicle, skin, etc.). V. PROCEDURE : A. Collection: 1. Use clean, powderless latex or nitrile gloves for the collection of each piece of evidence. 2. Change gl oves between the handling of different pieces of evidence. 3. If stains must be collecte d from a stationary surface (e.g. , a sidewalk, a wall, etc.), a sample may be collected by using sterile cotton swabs and distilled water. * 4. When collecting an evide nce sample utilizing distilled water to moisten the cotton -tipped applicator, it is necessary to also collect a control sample. The control sample shall consist of a cotton -tipped applicator swab moistened with 2-3 drops of the same distilled water use d to collect the evidence sample. B. Packaging: 1. Package each piece of evidence sep arately. 2. Bloodstains, semen stains, and other types of stains must be thoroughly air -dried and packaged in sealed envelopes or paper bags. 3. Evidence which is not c apable of being dried (e.g. , pieces of tissue, bones , or organs, etc.) must be packaged separately in airtight containers. a. Seal and properly mark containers for identification purposes. b. Evidence should be immediately frozen and kept frozen until shi pped. c. Formalin or formaldehyde should not be used to preserve biological evidence as these chemicals degrade DNA. 4. Drawn blood should go in purple -top tubes. a. Blood tubes shall be stored refrigerated. b. Blood samples from persons known to have HI V or Hepatitis should be in special containers and clearly marked on the exterior they contain HIV or Hepatitis infected blood. GEN 504.0 24 10/22 /21 Page 2 of 2 5. Place biohazard stickers on all biological evidence packaging. 6. All packages and tubes must be marked with the impounding individual’s initials , ABN, and date across the seal. C. Transport: 1. Personnel may be required to transport DNA evidence from a crime scene. 2. Personnel shall ensure chain of custody is maintained. 3. DNA evidence should be kept in a cool area, as warm conditions and direct sunlight may degrade DNA. DNA evidence should not be stored in places capable of retaining heat, such as the trunk of a patrol car. 4. Evidence should be transported and impounded as expeditiously as possible. * 5. Soiled biological items containing possible DNA evidence ( e.g., items containing blood, semen, saliva) shall not be packaged in plastic. However, plastic bags can be utilized for transporting purposes only of the soiled evidence from the crime scene to the Crime Scene Section, where the e vidence shall be placed into a drying c abinet until thoroughly dried . The items shall then be packaged in paper envelopes or paper bags, sealed, and impounded into the Evidence Control Section. D. Sexual Offenses: 1. If DNA evid ence is collected pursuant to an investigation involving an alleged sexual offense, refe rence should be made to GEN SOP 504.05 regar ding the submission for testing and proper disposal. Chad Chronister Sheriff Amends or Supersedes: NE W