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What Every Law Enforcement Officer Should Know About DNA Evidence

Investigators and Evidence Technicians

Air-dry Evidence

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Image of technician air-drying evidence
National Institute of Justice (NIJ) (see reuse policy).

As with any evidence, the sooner potential DNA evidence is submitted to the laboratory, the better. Because DNA evidence is susceptible to degradation and contamination, always try to air-dry evidence before it is packaged and keep the sample as cold as possible. If evidence cannot be completely air-dried at the scene, transport it in a leak-proof container to the department's drying room, properly package the evidence in paper, and store it as cold as possible.

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