Policy Text
MAITLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE
EVIDENCE COLLECTION AND PROCESSING Page 1
TITLE: EVIDENCE COLLECTION AND PROCESSING
NUMBER: 606
EFFECTIVE: FEBRUARY 1, 2001
REFERENCE:
RESCINDS:
AMENDS:
ATTACHMENTS:
DATE FOR REVIEW: PERIODIC ALLY
REVIEW BY: STAFF/OUTSIDE SOURCE
DATE LAST REVIEW: March 2023
DATE REVISED: March 2021
PURPOSE ................................ ................................ ......... ……… 1
DISCUSSION ………………………………………………………….. 2
POLICY ................................ ................................ ........................ 2
PROCEDURE S ................................ ................................ ............ 2
EVIDENCE PROCESSING ................................ ........................... 2
VEHICLES ................................ ................................ .................... 4
DIAGRAMS AND SKETCHES ................................ ...................... 5
BODY FLUIDS, RESIDUE, BLOOD ................................ .............. 5
DUI INVESTIGATIONS ................................ ................................ . 6
LATENT FINGERPRINTS ................................ ............................ 7
MAJOR CRIMES ................................ ................................ .......... 7
CRIME SCENE SUPPLIES ................................ ........................... 8
PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE ................................ ...................... 8
SUBMISSION OF EVIDENCE ................................ ...................... 9
RECORDING EVIDENCE AT THE SCENE ................................ 10
TRAINING ……………………………………………………………. 12
PURPOSE
The purpose of this directive is to establish specific guidelines in the collection, processing, and
preservation of all evidence that becomes the responsibility of the Maitland Police Department.
MAITLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE
EVIDENCE COLLECTION AND PROCESSING Page 2
DISCUSSION
The collection, processin g, and preservation of evidence are functions that are essential to any
law enforcement agency where the effective investigation and prosecution of offenders rely
mainly on the information obtained through careful, methodical and proper use of evidence.
POLICY
606.1a Proper safeguards and preservation techniques should be used for the handling and
collection of evidence. The Department has an obligation to collect and handle evidence in a
professional and efficient manner.
606.1b Each employee shall be responsible for the processing of any assigned crime scene.
606.1c It is the policy of this Department to ensure that evidence in its custody can be
properly secured and stored, readily retrieved, and that any changes in its custody have been
proper ly and fully documented.
606.1d The FDLE submission manual will serve as a guideline for the collection and
processing of evidence. This manual will also contain the procedures for packaging evidence
for submission to the FDLE lab. The manual will be iss ued to all employees as a part of the
Policy and Procedure manual and will be available in the evidence property room for all
employees use in submitting evidence.
PROCEDURES
EVIDENCE PROCESSING
606.2a Qualified members of the Maitland Police Department may conduct basic crime scene
processing. Basic crime scene processing shall be defined as the dusting for latent
fingerprints, crime scene photography, and the basic collection and packaging of physical
evidence.
606.2b If additional processing is required beyond the basic level, or in the event of an
extensive crime scene (i.e. homicide, officer involved shooting, etc.), this will necessitate the
call-out of a qualified crime scene technician . Crime Scene Technicians or other qualifie d
personnel ( e.g. Traffic Homicide Investigator, Investigator) will be available 24 hours per day in
an on -duty or on -call basis.
MAITLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT POLICY AND PROCEDURE
EVIDENCE COLLECTION AND PROCESSING Page 3
606.2c When collecting evidence, sufficient samples shall be collected to allow for lab testing
and any other necessary procedures. For physical evidence to be accepted by the court at the
time of trial, it is essential that the chain of evidence be maintained. The initial step in this
process is marking or labeling the item at the time it is collected, seized or received. A
complete evidence sample will be collected at a crime scene when possible and practical.
Included in the requirement of obtaining compl ete samples may be the impounding of
materials/objects upon which fluids, liquids, and physiological evidence is found.
606.2d Each item of evidence shall be marked and placed in a container to preserve the
condition and prevent contamination. Designat ed containers shall be available in the evidence
section. These containers will be stamped or labeled on the lower left -hand corner with the
following information:
Type of offense
Offense number
Event number
Location - An example of a location: 201 Monroe Ave, #A -201, Maitland Fl.,
Date - format. (00/ 00/0000)
Full name of victim or suspect
Time - Use military time.
A description of the item.
The name and ID number of the person collecting the evidence.
The emplo yee collecting the evidence shall seal the container with evidence tape and
place their initials along with the date on the seal.
606.2e Liquid items of evidence should be collected in a manner consistent with all other forms
of collection of evidence, but their packaging differs. Except as listed below , liquid items should
be packaged in their original containers (