Dialogue between Property Officer Anonymous, Unknown Police Department, and IAPE Executive Director Joe Latta: 

Anonymous: Please consider the following as an anonymous "Letter to the Editor" relating to the use of cargo containers as seen on p. 24 of Volume 2001, No.3 of The Evidence Log©:

Cargo containers are a no-go for evidence storage! We attempted to deal with an emergency storage issue over a period of two years using storage, or "cargo," containers on a "temporary" basis. We view this as an absolute last resort for the storage of evidence from which fragile biological evidence may be sought. When we look at DNA analysis, the very worst combination of conditions are offered by cargo container conditions; heat and humidity. In a test at our facility we measured temperatures of 120 degrees Fahrenheit in a metal cargo container placed on black top. In order to remedy this, we placed the container in a tree shaded area and obtained a light gray colored container. We continued to have elevated temperatures (over 100 degrees Fahrenheit). After consulting with the container vendor, they recommended that we use an air-conditioned container. Here we failed again. The air conditioning unit was designed with the capacity to "freeze" shipped items on a temporary basis (such as for turkeys at Thanksgiving). This over-capacity was all we could find and we learned that even a very small air conditioning unit would not operate long enough to remove enough humidity from the air to keep the level below 40 percent (humidity over 40 percent permits mold growth). That said, we next procured a dehumidifier. The dehumidifier failed because its optimum operating temperature is 65 - 70 degrees Fahrenheit and winter month temperatures at our facility are routinely below that temperature. Based on our experience over a two year period, there is no circumstance that storage or cargo containers should be used for evidence. No climate has temperature and humidity conditions that would permit storage of evidence in a cargo containers out-of-doors. If you must use such a container, you should use it to store office supplies and move evidence into your former office supply area.

Latta: Thanks for a great letter. Although a great option for certain situations, cargo containers are certainly not a "cure all". When used for storage of bikes, auto accessories, or other durables, they may be great. For short term storage of relatively durable items for auction or from a very large seizure they are certainly acceptable. The most important thing to keep in mind, however, is that your very best resource is the expertise of the local Property Officer. Knowing the specific type of evidence, the expected climate variation and its related issues, and other local hazards gives him or her the ability to take innovative general suggestions and evaluate them properly to give the local Department the best of both worlds. 
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Dialogue between Police Property Officer Ted Whitcomb, Broward County (FL) Sheriff's Department, and IAPE Executive Director Joe Latta: 

Whitcomb: Is there any national certification for evidence units or evidence technicians? If not, do you have any idea why not?

Latta: Ted, believe it or not we have been working with the IAPE Board and are currently finalizing the standards necessary to develop a certification process. We hope to have it implemented by the end of this calendar year.

Whitcomb: That's great. My Department would certainly be interested. 
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dialogue between Police Detective Sergeant Michael Wheat, Charlevoix (MI) Sheriff's Department, and IAPE Executive Director Joe Latta:

Wheat: We are in the process of rebuilding our evidence room and are taking bids on a ventilation system. How many cubic feet per hour or air exchange should we specify, or how many times a day should the air be exchanged in the evidence room?

Latta: We have been advised by a mechanical engineer that you are looking for negative pressure with an exchange rate of seven to ten times per hour. Make sure the exhaust is vented outside of the building. 
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dialogue between Police Property and Evidence Technician Nina Sheleman, Gilroy (CA) Police Department, and IAPE Executive Director Joe Latta:

Sheleman: Hi Joe, It's been a while but I think of you often. I have a question for you that, so far, no one has been able to answer. About a year ago I wound up with an "Urn" in my custody as found property. The situation was thus, a car rental company found the urn in one of their vehicle's. They in turn gave it to us. We followed up by contacting the last customer to use the vehicle. They agreed it belonged to them. (It was dear old dad) They said they'd come by to pick him up but it never happened. So much time had gone by that when we attempted to re-contact the family, the number had been disconnected. The original follow up was assigned to a CSO and not much information was obtained at the time.

So my question is: what is the proper way to dispose of dear old dad in an urn? Hope to see you at the conference.

Latta: Nina, I would suggest that you start out with the coroner's office. Even if they can't locate the relatives, they should be willing to take custody of and destroy poor dad's ashes. For the future, don't let your CSO's get away with taking short cuts that ultimately increase your workload. Make sure you have a tickler system in place to notify the supervisor of an employee who doesn't respond to your requests in a reasonable time. Good luck! 
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Dialogue between Kathy Milne, Tucson (AZ) Police Department, and IAPE Executive Director Joe Latta:

Milne: Hi, I am Kathy Milne from the Tucson Police Department in Arizona.

Reference your article in The Evidence Log, page 36 about shipping firearms. We just checked with the Postal Service and they do ship firearms. We shipped a firearm as late as last week with no difficulties. Everyone would have assumed it contained a firearm because the box said "gun" on it. The info. about UPS is correct.  Kathy

Latta: Thanks for the update. We will try to get a more definitive answer.

Milne: The postal inspector came in today and we discussed the mailing of firearms. He had us pull up the USPS Domestic Mailing Manual on the Internet. One section said that the Department could mail guns, but needed to file an affidavit with the postmaster. Farther down, however it says, "Handguns may be mailed without regard to 1.3 through 1.6 if: a. Addressed to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), or its director, or to the scientific laboratory or crime detection bureau of any agency whose members are federal law enforcement officers or officers of a state, territory or district authorized to serve warrants of arrest or commitment." Anyway, the postal inspector felt were authorized mailers because our officers are state certified and have statewide arrest powers. He is verifying this with the USPS lawyers and will let me know what he finds out. Hope this isn't too confusing.

Latta: Check out page 39 of this issue of The Evidence Log© for some accurate and updated information directly from the Postal Service.