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Special Programs Office (SPO)

## Forensic Science Program

-  Evidence Management  Expand or Collapse    -  Steering Committee 
  -  Evidence Management Conference 
  -  Community of Practice Newsletter 
  -  Biological Evidence Guidance 
  -  Evidence Management Survey 

# Biological Evidence Guidance

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The NIST / NIJ Technical Working Group on Biological Evidence Preservation created the following images and documents to fulfill its charge.

### Publications

                  - The Handbook on Biological Evidence Preservation: Best Practices for Evidence Handlers  (PDF)
                  - Biological Evidence Preservation: Considerations for Policy Makers  (PDF)

### Images

                  - Biological Evidence Disposition Guidelines  (PDF)
                  - Biological Evidence Retention Guidelines  (PDF)
                  - Biological Evidence Storage Conditions Poster  (PDF)

### **Related Documents**

                  - Recommendations Summary  (PDF)
                  - Sample Chain of Custody Form  (.doc)
                  - Works Cited in the Handbook on Biological Evidence Preservation: Best Practiced for Evidence Handlers  (PDF)
                  - Freezing Biological Evidence: Key Considerations  , November 2013 (PDF)

### Other Resources

**Packaging and Collection Guidance**There are extensive references on proper collection and packaging practices. Examples include:
                  - International Association for Property and Evidence, Inc. , which includes professional standards and online training on property and evidence.
                  - Wisconsin Department of Justice, State Crime Laboratories. (2009).  Chapter 6: DNA Evidence and Standards . In  Physical evidence handbook, 8th edition . Madison, Wisconsin.
                  - National Institute of Justice. (2003).  DNA Evidence: What Law Enforcement Officers Should Know .  NIJ Journal, 249 . Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice.
                  - Turman, Kathryn M. (2001).  Understanding DNA Evidence: A Guide for Victim Service Providers .  *OVC Bulletin* (NCJ 185690). Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office for Victims of Crime.

**Other related references can be found at the websites below:**
                  - Up-to-date list of  state biological evidence preservation statutes  from  The Innocence Project
                  - National Institute of Justice (2000).  *Crime Scene Investigation: A Guide for Law Enforcement* (NCJ 178280) . Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Program, National Institute of Justice.
                  - Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner Technical Assistance
                  - Preservation of Evidence Task Force. (2011). *Guidelines for the Preservation and Retention of Biological Evidence*. Columbus, Ohio: Ohio Attorney General's Office. 
                  - National Center for Forensic Science

**Training Resources**Evidence custodians can obtain training at the websites below:
                  - National Institute of Justice	                     - See training article:  What every law enforcement officer should know about DNA: First Responding Officers  (login required)
                    - See training article:  What every law enforcement officer should know about DNA: Investigators and Evidence Technicians  (login required)
                    - See online course:  Collecting DNA Evidence at Property Crime Scenes
                  - International Association for Property and Evidence, Inc.                      - See  IAPE Property Room Management Training

**Property and Evidence Associations**

International Association
                  - International Association for Property and Evidence, Inc .

State Associations
                  - California Association for Property and Evidence
                  - Illinois Association of Property and Evidence Managers
                  - Property and Evidence Association of Florida
                  - Nebraska Association of Property and Evidence
                  - North Carolina Association for Property and Evidence
                  - Texas Association of Property and Evidence Inventory Technicians

**Biohazard Disposal Guidelines**
                  - OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). 2012.  Bloodborne Pathogens . Toxic and Hazardous Substances. 29 CFR 1910.1030, (April 3).
                  - HERC (Healthcare Environmental Resource Center). 2012.  State-by-State Regulated Medical Waste Resource Locator .
                  - University of Illinois,  Division of Research Safety, Biological Safety, Treatment and Disposal of Biological Materials
                  - University of Minnesota, Environmental Health and Safety,  Biological Waste Disposal Table  (PDF)

Forensic ScienceLaw enforcement

## Contacts

-  **‹** Community of Practice Newsletter 
-  Evidence Management Survey **›** 

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