Biological Evidence Guidance

The NIST / NIJ Technical Working Group on Biological Evidence Preservation created the following images and documents to fulfill its charge.

Publications

• The Handbook on Biological Evidence Preservation: Best Practices for Evidence Handlers (PDF)
• Biological Evidence Preservation: Considerations for Policy Makers (PDF)

Images

• Biological Evidence Disposition Guidelines (PDF)
• Biological Evidence Retention Guidelines (PDF)
• Biological Evidence Storage Conditions Poster (PDF)

Related Documents

• Recommendations Summary (PDF)
• Sample Chain of Custody Form (.doc)
• Works Cited in the Handbook on Biological Evidence Preservation: Best Practiced for Evidence Handlers (PDF)
• Freezing Biological Evidence: Key Considerations , November 2013 (PDF)

Other Resources

Packaging and Collection Guidance
There are extensive references on proper collection and packaging practices. Examples include:

• International Association for Property and Evidence, Inc., which includes professional standards and online training on property and evidence.
• Wisconsin Department of Justice, State Crime Laboratories (2009). Chapter 6: DNA Evidence and Standards. In Physical evidence handbook, 8th edition. Madison, Wisconsin.
• National Institute of Justice (2003). DNA Evidence: What Law Enforcement Officers Should Know. NIJ Journal, 249. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice.
• Turman, Kathryn M. (2001). Understanding DNA Evidence: A Guide for Victim Service Providers. OVC Bulletin (NCJ 185690). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime.

Other related references can be found at the websites below:

• Up-to-date list of state biological evidence preservation statutes from The Innocence Project
• National Institute of Justice (2000). Crime Scene Investigation: A Guide for Law Enforcement (NCJ 178280). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Program, National Institute of Justice.
• Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner Technical Assistance
• Preservation of Evidence Task Force (2011). Guidelines for the Preservation and Retention of Biological Evidence. Columbus, Ohio: Ohio Attorney General's Office.
• National Center for Forensic Science

Training Resources
Evidence custodians can obtain training at the websites below:

• National Institute of Justice
  • See training article: What every law enforcement officer should know about DNA: First Responding Officers (login required)
  • See training article: What every law enforcement officer should know about DNA: Investigators and Evidence Technicians (login required)
  • See online course: Collecting DNA Evidence at Property Crime Scenes
• International Association for Property and Evidence, Inc.
  • See IAPE Property Room Management Training

Property and Evidence Associations

International Association

• International Association for Property and Evidence, Inc.

State Associations

• California Association for Property and Evidence
• Illinois Association of Property and Evidence Managers
• Property and Evidence Association of Florida
• Nebraska Association of Property and Evidence
• North Carolina Association for Property and Evidence
• Texas Association of Property and Evidence Inventory Technicians

Biohazard Disposal Guidelines

• OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). 2012. Bloodborne Pathogens. Toxic and Hazardous Substances. 29 CFR 1910.1030, (April 3).
• HERC (Healthcare Environmental Resource Center). 2012. State-by-State Regulated Medical Waste Resource Locator.
• University of Illinois, Division of Research Safety, Biological Safety, Treatment and Disposal of Biological Materials
• University of Minnesota, Environmental Health and Safety, Biological Waste Disposal Table (PDF)