Policy Text
University of California, San Francisco
Police Department General Orders
9.3 Collection and Preservation of Evidence : Training
9.3.1 Crime/Crash Scene Processing Training for Recruits (Issued: 6/25/07)
A. Patrol officers are generally the first officers to arrive at a crime/crash scene. They have a
key function to perform in securing the scene and safeguarding evidence from damage or
destruction.
B. As a part of the Department’s basic training curriculum for police recruits and in addition
to any outside training academy curriculum, familiarization in t he following subjects will
be provided:
1. Potential benefits and limitations of the examination of physical evidence
2. Department written directives concerning the role of the officer and investigator
at a crime scene
3. Collection methods and procedures for fingerprints, footprints, blood, fibers and
fabrics, weapons, hairs, paint, glass and tool marks and the requirements for
collection of materials from a known source for comparison purposes
4. Preservation methods for evidence
5. Maintenance of the chain of evidence ( i.e., marking, sealing, tagging, receiving)
6. Crime/crash scene sketches, photography and records.
C. In addition to basic training, the Field Training Officer (FTO) program will provide on -
the-job training for the recruit with an Investigations Unit Detective to provide a general
overview of responsibilities.