Blood Evidence In Criminal Investigation

When a crime is committed, no matter how big or small, the crime scene needs to be processed quickly and thoroughly. After the proper responses and assessment, a plan to investigate the scene will be initiated. It is imperative that investigators conduct a walk-through of the scene in order to properly plan out how to investigate and process for any evidence. There are several factors to consider when handling evidence, taking photographs, collecting evidence and properly filling out the evidence tag and preserving the evidence the investigators collected at the scene (Buckles, 2007). Without proper processing, important evidence can be compromised, or not be collected at all.

Initially, the investigator should document the crime scene. This

If blood from a crime scene is not processed or handled correctly, it can weaken or destroy potential source of facts in a case. Blood evidence can also point the investigator in the direction he or she needs to go in order to solve the case (Schiro, 2016). Blood evidence should never by exposed to humidity. It should also be refrigerated until it can be transported to the crime lab. The evidence should be collected in a paper bag, sealed with evidence tape and initialed by the investigator. If the bloodstains are wet, such as in this scenario, it needs to be packaged in a paper bag, taken to a secure location, and taken out to allow for air dry. Once it is thoroughly dry, it will need to be re-packaged in the original bag and sent to the lab (Schiro,

This process allows the items to be easily identified at a later date. It also adds credibility and control to the investigator’s ability to identify the item (Byrd, 2016). Using an evidence tag is a great asset when collecting evidence. All of the evidence that is collected at a crime scene should be tagged. When marking and labeling evidence, consistency should always adhere to the information. There are a few necessary items that should always be used when tagging evidence. Items on the evidence tag should include: 1) a description of the item, 2) case number, 3) the date, 4) the location of where the item was collected, 5) the individual’s name that collected the evidence, 6) the brand name of the item and 7) any serial number or information used to describe the item (Bryd, 2016). On the back of the evidence tag, it is important to always document chain of custody for the evidence. This simply just keeps track of who had contact with the evidence, the date and time it was handled and by whom, the reason behind the handling of the evidence, and what, if any, changes were