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What Every Law Enforcement Officer Should Know About DNA Evidence

Investigators and Evidence Technicians

Guidelines to Protect Yourself & Evidence

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To protect yourself from biohazards and to protect the evidence from becoming contaminated:

  • Use new gloves for each piece of evidence
  • Use clean or new implements to manipulate the sample
  • Minimize contact with the sample (use a swab or forceps, etc.)
  • If possible allow evidence to dry before packaging
  • Collect and package evidence separately
  • Do not fold together a bloodstained garment
  • AVOID DIRECT CONTACT with the evidence sample

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