FLAMMABLES

 

This procedure was established to assist you in seizing containers for fingerprinting that have contained flammable substances, not to assist in seizure of the flammable substances.   Fire department arson investigators or hazardous materials specialists must recover all flammable or unidentified substances (see emergency response guide for further).

 

Property-evidence will not accept or store flammables or any unconfirmed substances.  DO NOT presume that all package labels are accurate, especially if the containers are subject to tampering or appear to have been altered.  DO NOT attempt to confirm the identity of a substance by smelling it.  Refer to hazardous materials procedures.

 

IMPOUNDING OFFICER PROCEDURES

  1. Flammable containers are seized for fingerprinting only.  When processing is complete, the containers will be destroyed.  Impounding officers should advise citizens of the impending destruction. 

  2. Photograph the containers in the field.

  3. Dump gasoline at Bretthauer Oil Co., 453 SW Washington Street in Hillsboro (503-648-2531) if open.  Ask for someone from the office for assistance.

  4. Dump gasoline (if Bretthauer's is closed) and oil at the County Shops in the hazardous materials  storage area, 1400 SW Walnut Street in Hillsboro.  Sergeants have keys.

  5. If the container held gasoline, fill it with water.  Indicate on the property-evidence report that the container is filled with water.

  6. Complete the evidence tag and attach it to the packaging or use a twist-on tag.

  7. Complete the property-evidence report and indicate that the items are to be fingerprinted and destroyed.   

  8. Place the item (other than a container still full of gasoline) in the Vehicle Bay.  (Sergeants have the keys.)  Note the location on the property-evidence report.

  9. Place the yellow and green copy of the property-evidence report  in the property-evidence basket in the Evidence Processing Room.

 

EVIDENCE OFFICER PROCEDURES

STORAGE

  1. Place one barcode on the item and the corresponding barcode on the property receipt.

  2. After fingerprinting processing is finished, dispose of the item

 

DISPOSAL

  1. See ‘General Disposition of Items.'

 

 

Revised 11/05/03