Policy Text
Identification Bur eau Page 1 of 2 5/ 05.4 (NEW 1/07)
Evidence Lab Chain of Custody
The purpose of this Order is to outline the procedures for the chain of custody at the
Evidence Lab. I. General
Due to the nature of evidence, s trict procedures must be follow ed regarding their
handling and processing. These pr ocedures are known as the cha in of custody.
A. The Evidence Lab has a databas e to follow each item of evide nce as it is
processed through the Lab. The database records:
1. Description of the evidence item. 2. Date the item of evidence wa s received at the Evidence Lab.
3. Identification Techni cian receiving the item.
4. Date the item of evidence left the Evidence Lab.
II. Chain of Custody Procedure
A. Each item of evidence must be obtained from the Sheriff’s Pr operty
Warehouse by doing the following:
1. Request the item from the Property Warehouse.
2. Verify the item of evidence and the Property Receipt/Report (7400-
076A) and/or AFR packing list match.
3. Sign the back of the Property R eceipt/Report and/or AFR pack ing
list scanner.
4. If the Property Receipt/Repor t and/or AFR packing list do no t
agree, report the problem to Prope rty Warehouse personnel and d o
not sign for the item.
B. After obtaining the item of e vidence, return to the Evidence Lab and enter
the item into the Ev idence Lab database.
Identification Bur eau Page 2 of 2 5/ 05.4 (NEW 1/07) 1. Assign the item to either an I dentification Technician or a shelf
location in the evi dence storage area.
C. After the item of evidence has been processed as requested o n the
Identification Bureau request form, the item m ay be either retu rned to the
Property Warehouse or r eleased to the owner.
1. If the item is to be retu rned to the Property Warehouse, ent er the
date of return into the Evidenc e Lab database and insure the it em
has been properly recorded on the back of the Property
Receipt/Report or AFR packing list scanner.
III. Releasing Evidence to the Owner
A. If the item of evidence is to be released to the owner, the Detective
assigned to the case involving t he item must complete a Propert y
Disposition form (7400-173).
1. The Detective must identify t he report number, the item(s) t o be
released and to whom the item may be released.
B. The item(s) of evidence may only be released to the individu al listed on
the Property Disposition form. A valid form of identification must be
obtained to verify the cl aimant’s identity.
1. A valid California Driver’s L icense is required to release a vehicle.
C. The Identification Technician releasing the item of evidence must:
1. Complete the back of the Property Receipt/Report, describing the
item(s), listing the claim ant and signing with name and badge
number.
2. Have the claimant sign the back of the Property Receipt/Repo rt.
3. Photocopy the form of identific ation used for verifying the claimant’s
identity.
a. Attach the photocopy to the Pr operty Receipt/Report.
4. Return the Property Receipt/R eport with the attached photoco py to
the Property Warehouse.
Appendices:
Property Dispositi on form – (7400-173)
Property Receipt/Report form – back (7400-076A)