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Evidence Management Survey Results
The National Institute of Standards and Technology, in collaboration with the National Institute of Justice, conducted a survey of evidence handlers to identify knowledge gaps and educational opportunities. Results of the survey have been published and will be used to increase awareness about strengths and challenges in evidence management
Results are published in three volumes: the main report in which the evidence management lifecycle is considered alongside survey results and key takeaways (SP 1500-33A); a statistical analysis of the survey responses (SP 1500-33B); and an expanded bibliography of research literature (SP 1500-33C). The data itself is made available through NIST's data portal. Click on links below to access each of these four outputs.
NIST/NIJ Evidence Management Steering Committee (2025) Evidence Management Steering Committee Report: Opportunities to Strengthen Evidence Management Processes. (National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD), NIST Special Publication (SP) 1500-33A. https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.1500-33A
NIST/NIJ Evidence Management Steering Committee (2025) Evidence Management Steering Committee Report: Results of the 2021 National Evidence Handlers Survey. (National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD), NIST Special Publication (SP) 1500-33B. https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.1500-33B
NIST/NIJ Evidence Management Steering Committee (2025) Evidence Management Steering Committee Report: Expanded Bibliography. (National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD), NIST Special Publication (SP) 1500-33C. https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.1500-33C
Evidence Management Steering Committee, NIST/NIJ (2025), Evidence Management Steering Committee Report: Data, National Institute of Standards and Technology, https://doi.org/10.18434/mds2-3834
Background Information About the Evidence Management Survey
Who could complete the survey?
The Evidence Management Survey was intended for property and evidence handlers across multiple disciplines and agencies, including law enforcement, courts, healthcare facilities, forensic laboratories, and coroner and medical examiner’s offices. Input was encouraged from as many people as possible from agencies large and small at all levels of experience.
What was the purpose of the survey?
The survey’s primary purpose was to obtain information regarding property and evidence management practices and the extent of evidence management issues from collection through disposition. These issues included collection, storage, transfer, and disposition practices, as well as related policies, protocols, and standard operating procedures.
Who conducted the survey?
The NIJ sponsored the survey as one project among several led by NIST and NIJ in consultation with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and federal laboratories to establish evidence retention best practices as required by the 2016 Justice for All Reauthorization Act.
How was the survey developed?
The survey was developed in consultation with the NIST/NIJ Evidence Management Steering Committee (EMSC), a group of approximately 20 stakeholders selected by NIST and NIJ. These stakeholders represented state, local, and federal agencies and private organizations responsible for managing physical evidence. Subject matter experts from different disciplines whose day-to-day work involved handling and managing evidence were also involved in the survey development process. With leadership from NIST, the steering committee developed the survey and email lists representative of the community of practice (CoP) and completed pre-testing with a small group representing the CoP. Suggestions for improving the survey were discussed with the EMSC and integrated as appropriate.