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Chapter 5

The document outlines guidelines for the collection, packaging, and preservation of DNA evidence to ensure admissibility in court. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining a chain of evidence, proper documentation, and the use of suitable materials for DNA profiling. Additionally, it provides specific procedures for handling various biological samples and emphasizes universal precautions during collection.

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eric
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10 views18 pages

Chapter 5

The document outlines guidelines for the collection, packaging, and preservation of DNA evidence to ensure admissibility in court. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining a chain of evidence, proper documentation, and the use of suitable materials for DNA profiling. Additionally, it provides specific procedures for handling various biological samples and emphasizes universal precautions during collection.

Uploaded by

eric
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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GUIDELINES FOR THE COLLECTION, PACKAGING

AND PRESERVATION OF DNA EVIDENCE

CHAPTER 5
Evidence
• Must be properly documented, collected, packaged and
preserved to meet the legal and scientific requirements for the
admissibility into a court of law.
Chain of Evidence
• It is defined as the witnessed, written record of all the
individuals who maintained unbroken control over the items of
evidence. It establishes the proof that the items of evidence
collected at the crime scene is the same evidence that is being
presented in a court of law.
• It starts with the collection done by IO.
• The control and safe custody begins with the marking and
labelling of evidence.
MATERIALS SUITABLE
FOR
DNA PROFILING
BIOLOGICAL SAMPLES

1 ) Blood / Bloodstains
2 ) Semen / Seminal stains
3 ) Tissues specimens /Organs
4 ) Bones and Bone marrow
5 ) Hairs with Follicles
6 ) Saliva / Saliva stains
7 ) Urine
8 ) Perspiration (Sweat)
Collection - Body Fluids
Universal Precautions
• Wear glove/face mask all the times.
• Assumed all Body Fluids / tissues to be infectious regardless of
the source.
Means of Transfer
• Direct Transfer
• Secondary or Indirect Transfer

To associate or disassociate an individual with a crime (Crime


Scene Triangle )
Direct Transfer
• Biological materials transfer to an individual’s body, or
clothing, or to an object or Crime Scene directly.
 Suspect’s DNA deposited on victim
 Victim’s DNA deposited on suspect
 Suspect’s or victim’s DNA deposited at the scene
Secondary (Indirect) Transfer
• No direct contact between the original source (donor of DNA
evidence) and the target surface.
• The transfer intermediary could be a person, object or a location
• A secondary transfer does not prove a direct link between an
individual and the crime.
Before Collection Evidence at the Crime Scene
• Photograph / Video - tape
• Note the location and condition of the evidence
• Note and Sketch the relationships of evidence relative to the
crime scene and other objects present
Collection, Packaging & Preservation of Biological
Evidence

• Biological evidence will remain on target surface either by


absorption or adherence
 Liquid -absorption or non-absorption surfaces
 Solid – adhere
Method of Collection
Depends on the state and condition of evidence
Liquid Specimens at Crime Scene
• Collect with a clean/sterile disposable syringe to a clean/sterile
test tube
• A clean cotton cloth, gauze, cotton swabs to soak up liquid
specimen.(The specimen must be air dried before packaged in
paper bag )
• Blood Samples for DNA analysis must preserved in
anticoagulant tube (EDTA) kept in a refrigerator.
• The specimen must send to lab. as soon as possible
Liquid Blood in Snow or Water
• Collect immediately to avoid further dilution
• Collect the largest possible quantity and avoid contaminant
• Freeze these specimens if possible submit to lab. as soon as
possible.
Garments with wet Blood
• Never collect in a seal, airtight container or plastic bag.
(moisture promote bacteria growth and sample deterioration)
• Air dried before it is packed in paper bag with proper labelling
Small Objects (movable) with wet Blood
• Collect the entire object
• Small objects with bloodstains should be allowed to air dry
• Each item must be packaged separately & labelled properly
• Effort to preserve the integrity of any bloodstain patterns during
packaging and transportation
Big Objects (immovable) with Bloodstain
• The wet blood to be transferred onto a clean cotton cloth
• Blood-stained cotton cloth must be air dried before packaging in
paper bag
• Each object must be packed separately & labelled properly.
Dried Biological Specimens on movable Objects
• Collect the entire object
• Package separately and label properly
Dried Biological specimens on Immovable
objects
• The bloodstain pattern must be photographed before collection
• The stain can be scraped off the object onto a clean paper or
swab with cotton cloth and then air dried
• Each item must packed and labelled properly
Dried Biological specimens on Carpet,
upholstery, wood & objects that can be cut
• Photograph & mark in the sketch plan before collection
• The portion of object containing stain can be removed by
cutting
• Each cutting must be packaged separately and labelled
accordingly

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