Dear IAPE members and sponsors, 

For years this has been "my" letter, and this issue it's going to be yours. 

Roseth of the Kendall County (IL) Sheriff's Office asked about possible Evidence Room Ventilation requirements. Also Karen Souza, Los Angeles County (CA) Sheriff's Office, made the following website COMMENT: "I am interested in the policies or specifications regarding ventilation in the evidence room. I am currently working in a room that has solid concrete walls with one door and one vent that is connected to the station air conditioning system. Urine jars and other evidence with possible contaminants (clothing, scales etc.) are stored in this room. There is no air circulation per say. Are there specific laws or regulations regarding the construction of the evidence room or regarding the safety of the evidence personnel working in these rooms?" 

To both of you and the others who have asked, there is very little written about ventilation. The California Code of Regulations says that a drug room needs to be "ventilated" and approved by the Fire Dept. But what does ventilated mean? No one knows! 

Several experts in the field (mechanical engineers) have said that the room should be under negative pressure. That means a fresh source of air into the room, and exhausting the old air out of the building. Several mechanical engineers that I have spoken with have suggested negative pressure at a rate 00 - 10 changes per hour: These numbers have been for narcotics rooms, and may be slightly less for rooms that are less aromatic. You won't find anything written to back this up, but it generally works fairly well. Hope this helps! Any other questions give us a call. 

Jennifer Johnson, Folsom (CA) Police Department made the following website COMMENT: "On page 14, lower left comer, of the most recent 'Evidence Log', I wanted to find out where that particular found property bin was purchased. If unknown, can you tell me what agency that photo came from? Also, I wanted to find out where we can store blood/urine samples that are ready for destruction. We currently keep them in a refrigerator, but it is now full. We are going to start purging them, but want to know a SAFE place to store them until they actually get destroyed. I read the section on page 16, but need to know if it is safe to store blood and urine in a trash bin. Is there a potential for airborne diseases?" 

To Jennifer and others who ask about particular items seen in the magazine, this is an example of deciding what you need, and going after it. In this case, the bin / drawer you asked about was made by a company in Burbank (owned by one of my department's reserve officers). Call if you want the name, but many plastics manufacturing companies can build them to any size. Take the envelope you want it to fit, and get the best price you can for custom made drawers. You may even get them donated by a civic-minded business! 

Regarding the biohazard question, most environmental disposal services will provide "red" biohazard bins for that specific purpose. I would recommend you get the items out of the refrigerator as soon as you can. You could also get a regular trash container and line it with the red bio-hazard bags. As long as the items are in a closed bin and closed in a bio-hazard bag you should be fine. 

These exchanges allow me to make two points. Dialogue between professionals is the key to problem solving. If you haven't taken advantage of our website, you're missing a tremendous opportunity to take advantage of what everybody else is learning! Check it out!!!!! 

Sincerely,