Evidence Packaging, Labeling, & Sealing
Packaging: The intent of packaging is to preserve and secure evidence during transport to the Laboratory. At the first reasonable opportunity evidence will be placed in evidence containers. Remains and material evidence are not to be placed within the same evidence container. The exceptions are dental prosthetics and appliances, which should be stored with remains. Material evidence that cannot be readily separated from remains in the field should also be stored with the remains (e.g. bones of the foot inside of a boot). Separately bagged remains and material evidence will generally be stored within the same transport container. Life support items should be packaged following the “Guidance for Handling Recovered Life Support Items in the Field.”
Labeling: The intent of labeling evidence containers is to prepare the labels in a manner that will allow the information on them to survive transport to the Laboratory in legible condition. Information that is written on the outside of the evidence container should be replicated on separate labels inserted into the container. Additional information may be added to either or both external and internal evidence container labels as deemed appropriate. All evidence containers will be labeled with the following information, when available:
• Incident and site number, (i.e. REFNO, MACR, etc.)
• Unique mission identifier (Mission number and team, i.e. 02-5LA RT-4)
• Excavation unit designation
• Date
• Depth or stratagraphic unit from which obtained
• A detailed description of the contents (e.g. possible human remains, one US nickel)
• Your initials/name
• The sequential bag number (i.e. Bag 1 of 3, Bag 2 of 3, etc.)
• Other appropriate provenience data
Seal: The intent of sealing evidence containers is to prevent unauthorized and/or undetected access. Evidence containers should be sealed, and the seal validated by initialing and dating both sides of the evidence tape with indelible marker, ensuring that the writing overlaps both the tape and the bag.
Maintain Security: The intent of securing evidence is to minimize the possibility of loss or compromise. In base camp situations, a locked container will serve as the primary secure storage device. Containers should be kept in the most secure area of the camp.
Packaging for Transport: In order to protect evidence during transport, suitable packing material should be used. Transport containers are secured with numbered seals or combination locks. If seals are used, they must be looped twice before locking the head of the seal. This reduces the overall free length of the seal, thus minimizing the ability to pry open the lid of the transfer case. Seal numbers are noted on the chain of custody form, and a copy of the form is placed in a document protector or plastic zip bag affixed to the outside of the transport container.
Preparation of Chain of Custody Documentation: The intent of the chain of custody procedures is to document the evidence and its transfer between individuals to the fullest extent possible. The chain of custody form should be initiated prior to the transport of evidence.
Maintain Security: The locked transport container is the appropriate means of securing evidence while awaiting transport at base-camps, hotels, airports, etc. as well as during transport. Evidence is the direct responsibility of the person initiating the chain of custody, or the last person who signed for it.
Special Provisions for Evidence Recovered in SRV: Remains recovered in SRV must be turned over to the VNOSMP and will undergo a Joint Forensic Review (JFR) before being repatriated and returned to the US. If material evidence is recovered in conjunction with remains, both the remains and material evidence are documented on the same chain of custody form and turned over to the VNOSMP. The exception is life support evidence, a subset of material evidence, which is returned to the CIL independent of the JFR. If only material evidence is recovered, it is transported directly to the CIL and does not undergo the JFR. Participants in JFRs should consult JPAC LAB SOP 2.2 (Forensic Reviews) regarding special and supplementary evidence handling procedures required during the JFR