TOP TEN MOST COMMON MISTAKES

Copyright 2003-2004 all rights reserved. This manual and its contents are for law enforcement use only.  All items contained within are protected and may not be reproduced without prior consent of the Washington County Sheriff.

Sheriff Rob Gordon

PROPERTY EVIDENCE MANUAL

PAPER vs. PLASTIC? Paper should always be used when packaging evidence.  Paper is easier to store in the evidence room and it does not destroy latent fingerprints like plastic does.  The exception to this rule is drugs (dried), items exposed to hazardous materials, and paper products that are being submitted for fingerprinting.  Remember when submitting evidence you need to use the smallest packaging possible that does not compromise possible trace evidence.  See Impounding Property Evidence for additional information.

Comments or questions?  Please e-mail Sgt. David Anderson 1/24/05 A special thank you to OSP for their many contributions to this manual.