Chapter 5 – Adult Custody and Security Operations

54110.5 Handling of Evidence

• Any clothing item contaminated with body fluids should be dried and then stored in clean paper bags. Transport or shipment of the evidence items to the laboratory conducting the testing should be expedited.

• When collecting articles of clothing as evidence, each article is to be placed into a separate paper bag. Protective gloves should be changed each time a separate article of clothing is handled to prevent cross contamination of evidence items. Each evidence bag must be properly identified with the date, time, case number, charge, suspect name and CDC number, and victim name. Each evidence item can be marked with the finder’s initials and the date the item was obtained.

• If there is any information that the substance used in the gassing contains a communicable disease, the laboratory personnel who are testing the substance should be made aware of this information. This information will help to ensure the safety of the laboratory personnel testing the substance and will also help in isolating and identifying the suspect.

• Evidence should be submitted to the appropriate California Department of Justice, Bureau of Forensic Services, laboratory that other evidence is submitted to as per each institution/facilities Investigative Services Unit (ISUInstitution Services Unit).