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Introduction
The purpose of the Handbook of Forensic Services is to provide guidance and procedures for safe and efficient methods of collecting and preserving evidence and to describe the forensic examinations performed by the FBI Laboratory.
FBI Laboratory Services
The successful investigation and prosecution of crimes requires, in most cases, the collection, preservation, and forensic analysis of evidence. Forensic analysis of evidence is often crucial to demonstrations of guilt or innocence.
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The FBI Laboratory is one of the largest and most comprehensive forensic laboratories in the world. Services of the Laboratory are available to
FBI Field Offices and Legal Attach�s;
U.S. Attorneys, military tribunals, and other federal agencies for civil and criminal matters; and
All state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies in the United States and territorial possessions for criminal matters.
All Laboratory services, including expert witness testimonies, are rendered free of cost, but the following limitations apply
No examination will be conducted on evidence that has been previously subjected to the same type of examination. Exceptions may be granted when there are reasons for a reexamination. These reasons should be explained in separate letters from the director of the laboratory that conducted the original examination, the prosecuting attorney, and the investigating agency.
No request for an examination will be accepted from laboratories having the capability of conducting the examination. Exceptions may be made upon approval of the FBI Laboratorys Assistant Director or his designee.
No testimony will be furnished if testimony on the same subject and in the same case is provided for the prosecution by another expert.
No request for an examination will be accepted from a nonfederal law enforcement agency in civil matters.
Violent Crime Versus Property Crime
The FBI Laboratory accepts evidence related to all crimes under investigation by FBI Field Offices. The FBI Laboratory accepts only evidence related to violent crime investigations from state and local law enforcement agencies. The Laboratory does not routinely accept evidence in cases involving property crimes from state and local law enforcement agencies unless there was personal injury or intent to cause personal injury. These guidelines help to ensure that the FBI Laboratory continues to provide timely forensic assistance to law enforcement agencies investigating crimes of violence or threatened violence. Additional restrictions may be imposed on case acceptance to achieve this goal.
At the discretion of the FBI Laboratorys Assistant Director or his designee, the Laboratory may accept evidence from property crime cases. Such exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis and should not be regarded as setting a precedent for future case acceptance. All accepted cases will be afforded the full range of forensic services provided by the FBI Laboratory.
The following are examples of property crimes that are not routinely accepted for examinations
Arson of unoccupied residential and commercial buildings and property;
Explosive incidents and hoaxes targeting unoccupied residential and commercial buildings and property;
Vandalism and malicious mischief directed toward residential or commercial buildings and property;
Nonfatal traffic accidents involving speedometer and headlight examinations except in cases involving law enforcement and government officials;
Hit-and-run automobile accidents not involving personal injury;
Auto theft except auto theft rings or carjackings;
Breaking and entering;
Burglary;
Minor theft (under $100,000); and
Minor fraud (under $100,000).
Evidence Submission
Requesting Evidence Examinations
For guidelines on how to package and ship evidence, see Packaging and Shipping Evidence.
All requests for evidence examinations should be in writing, addressed to the FBI Laboratory Evidence Control Center, and contain the following information
The submitting contact persons name, agency, address, and telephone number;
Previous case identification numbers, evidence submissions, and communications relating to the case;
Description of the nature and the basic facts concerning the case as they pertain to the Laboratory examinations;
The name or names of and descriptive data about the individual or individuals involved (subject, suspect, victim, or a combination of those categories) and the agency-assigned case identification number; and
A list of the evidence being submitted herewith (enclosed) or under separate cover.
Herewith is limited to small items of evidence that are not endangered by transmitting in an envelope. Write on the envelope before placing evidence inside to avoid damaging or altering the evidence. The written communication should state Submitted herewith are the following items of evidence.
Separate cover is used to ship numerous or bulky items of evidence or both. Include a copy of the communication requesting the examinations. The written communication should state Submitted under separate cover by (list the method of shipment) are the following items of evidence.
State what types of examinations are requested.
State where the evidence should be returned and where the Laboratory report should be sent.
Attach a statement if the evidence was examined by another expert in the same field, if there is local controversy, or if other law enforcement agencies have an interest in the case.
State the need and reason or reasons for an expeditious examination. Do not request an expeditious examination routinely.
Submit a separate communication for multiple cases.
Packaging and Shipping Evidence
1. Prior to packaging and shipping evidence, call the pertinent unit of the Laboratory for specific instructions.
. Take precautions to preserve the evidence.
. When requesting latent print examinations, place nonporous evidence in individual protective coverings such as thick transparent envelopes or suspend in a container so that there is minimal surface contact. Place porous evidence in individual protective coverings such as paper envelopes. Stabilize the evidence to avoid movement or friction during shipment.
4. Wrap and seal each item of evidence separately to avoid contamination.
5. Place the evidence in a clean, dry, and previously unused inner container.
6. Seal the inner container with tamper-evident or filament tape.
7. Affix EVIDENCE and appropriate BIOHAZARD or HAZARDOUS MATERIALS labels to the inner container. To view other hazardous materials labels, click here.
8. If any of the evidence needs to be examined for latent prints, label LATENT on the inner container.
. Affix the evidence examination request and all case information between the inner and outer containers.
10. Place the sealed inner container in a clean, dry, and previously unused outer container with clean packing materials. Do not use loose Styrofoam™.
11. Completely seal the outer container so that opening of the container would be evident.
1. Label the outer container with appropriate BIOHAZARD or HAZARDOUS MATERIALS labels.
Information concerning the types and classes of biohazardous and hazardous materials, the labels used to designate these materials, and the proper packaging and transportation of hazardous materials can be obtained form the U.S. Department of Transportation at www.dot.gov.
1. Address the outer container as follows
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
LABORATORY DIVISION
ATTENTION EVIDENCE CONTROL CENTER
5 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE NW
WASHINGTON DC 055-0001
14. Ship evidence via U.S. Postal Service Registered Mail, United Parcel Service, or Federal Express. Record the method of shipment and the tracking number or numbers on the chain-of-custody form.
15. Rendered-safe explosive devices must be shipped via United Parcel Service.
16. Live ammunition must be shipped via Federal Express. The following guidelines must be followed to comply with U.S. Department of Transportation regulations
Live ammunition must be packaged and shipped separately from firearms.
Pack ammunition in a cardboard container.
Label invoices FEDERAL EXPRESS.
The shippers certification for restricted articles must be included.
The outside of the container must be labeled ORM-D AIR, CARTRIDGES SMALL ARMS.
The shipping papers must also include the weight in grams.
17. The Interstate Shipment of Etiologic Agents (4 CFR Part 7) provides packaging and labeling requirements for etiologic agents (viable microorganisms or toxins that cause or may cause human disease) shipped in interstate traffic. For additional information, contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, at 404-6-51 or visit their Web site at www.cdc.gov/od/ohs/biosfty/shipregs.htm
Package and label etiologic agents in volumes of less than 50 mL in glass tubes as shown in the drawings below and sealed with waterproof tape. Place each tube containing a culture inside a capped container packed with absorbent materials. Package this primary container within a secondary capped container that is labeled with the specimen record (CDC .0). Surround the secondary container with dry ice and seal it within a capped shipping container marked with the destination address and the appropriate infectious substance or etiological agent label.
Affix the regulation label shown at left to all shipments of etiologic agents.
Basic Premises
The best search options are typically the most difficult and time-consuming.
Physical evidence cannot be overdocumented.
There is only one chance to search the scene properly.
There are two search approaches
Conduct a cautious search of visible areas, avoiding evidence loss or contamination; and
After the cautious search, conduct a vigorous search of concealed areas.
Preparation
Obtain a search warrant, if necessary.
Discuss the search with involved personnel before arrival at the scene, if possible.
Establish a command headquarters for communication and decision making in major or complicated crime scene searches.
Ensure that personnel are aware of the types of evidence usually encountered and the proper handling of the evidence.
Make preliminary personnel assignments before arrival at the scene, if possible.
Ensure that assignments are in keeping with the attitude, aptitude, training, and experience of personnel. Personnel may be assigned two or more responsibilities.
Person In Charge
scene security
administrative log
preliminary survey
narrative description
problem resolution
final decision making
Photographer
photography and log
Sketch Preparer
sketch and log
Evidence Recorder
evidence custodian and log
Establish communication between medical examiners, laboratory personnel, and prosecutive attorneys so that questions during the crime scene search can be resolved.
Coordinate agreements with all agencies in multijurisdictional crime scene searches.
Accumulate evidence collection and packaging materials and equipment.
Prepare the paperwork to document the search.
Provide protective clothing, communication, lighting, shelter, transportation, equipment, food, water, medical assistance, and security for personnel.
In prolonged searches, use shifts of two or more teams. Transfer paperwork and responsibility in a preplanned manner from one team to the next.
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Approach
Be alert for evidence.
Take extensive notes.
Consider the safety of all personnel.
Secure and Protect
Take control of the scene immediately.
Determine the extent to which the scene has been protected. Obtain information from personnel who have knowledge of the original condition.
Designate one person in charge for final decision making and problem resolution.
Continue to take extensive notes.
Keep out unauthorized personnel.
Record who enters and leaves.
Preliminary Survey
The survey is an organizational stage to plan for the search.
Cautiously walk through the scene.
Maintain administrative and emotional control.
Select a narrative technique such as written, audio, or video.
Take preliminary photographs.
Delineate the extent of the search area. Usually expand the initial perimeter.
Organize methods and procedures.
Recognize special problem areas.
Identify and protect transient physical evidence.
Determine personnel and equipment needs. Make specific assignments.
Develop a general theory of the crime.
Take extensive notes to document the scene, physical and environmental conditions, and personnel movements.
Evaluate Physical Evidence Possibilities
This evaluation begins upon arrival at the scene and becomes detailed in the preliminary survey stage.
Ensure that the collection and packaging materials and equipment are sufficient.
Focus first on evidence that could be lost. Leave the least transient evidence last.
Ensure all personnel consider the variety of possible evidence, not only evidence within their specialties.
Search the easily accessible areas and progress to out-of-view locations. Look for hidden items.
Evaluate whether evidence appears to have been moved inadvertently.
Evaluate whether the scene appears contrived.
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Narrative
The narrative is a running description of the crime scene.
Use a systematic approach in the narrative.
Nothing is insignificant to record if it catches ones attention.
Under most circumstances, do not collect evidence during the narrative.
Use photographs and sketches to supplement, not substitute for, the narrative.
The narrative should include
Case identifier;
Date, time, and location;
Weather and lighting conditions;
Identity and assignments of personnel; and
Condition and position of evidence.
Photography
Photograph the crime scene as soon as possible.
Prepare a photographic log that records all photographs and a description and location of evidence.
Establish a progression of overall, medium, and close-up views of the crime scene.
Photograph from eye level to represent the normal view.
Photograph the most fragile areas of the crime scene first.
Photograph all stages of the crime scene investigation, including discoveries.
Photograph the condition of evidence before recovery.
Photograph the evidence in detail and include a scale, the photographers initials, and the date.
When a scale is used, first take a photograph without the scale.
Photograph the interior crime scene in an overall and overlapping series using a wide-angle lens.
Photograph the exterior crime scene, establishing the location of the scene by a series of overall photographs including a landmark. Photographs should have 60 degrees of coverage. Consider using aerial photography.
Photograph entrances and exits.
Photograph important evidence twice.
A medium-distance photograph that shows the evidence and its position to other evidence.
A close-up photograph that includes a scale and fills the frame.
Acquire prior photographs, blueprints, or maps of the scene.
Sketch
The sketch establishes a permanent record of items, conditions, and distance and size relationships.
Sketches supplement photographs.
Sketch number designations should coordinate with the evidence log number designations.
Sketches are normally not drawn to scale. However, the sketch should have measurements and details for a drawn-to-scale diagram, if necessary.
The sketch should include
Case identifier;
Date, time, and location;
Weather and lighting conditions;
Identity and assignments of personnel;
Dimensions of rooms, furniture, doors, and windows;
Distances between objects, persons, bodies, entrances, and exits;
Measurements showing the location of evidence. Each object should be located by two measurements from nonmovable items such as doors or walls; and
Key, legend, compass orientation, scale, scale disclaimer, or a combination of these features.
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Crime Scene Search, Record, and
Physical Evidence Collection
Use a search pattern such as a grid, strip or lane, or spiral.
Search from the general to the specific for evidence.
Be alert for all evidence.
Search entrances and exits.
Photograph all items before collection and notate the photographic log.
Mark evidence locations on the sketch.
Complete the evidence log with notations for each item of evidence. If feasible, have one person serve as evidence custodian.
Two persons should observe evidence in place, during recovery, and being marked for identification. If feasible, mark directly on the evidence.
Grid
Strip or Lane
Spiral
Wear gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints.
Do not excessively handle the evidence after recovery.
Seal all evidence packages at the crime scene.
Obtain known standards such as fiber samples from a known carpet.
Make a complete evaluation of the crime scene.
Constantly check paperwork, packaging, and other information for errors.
Final Survey
The final survey is a review of all aspects of the search.
Discuss the search with all personnel.
Ensure all documentation is correct and complete.
Photograph the scene showing the final condition.
Ensure all evidence is secured.
Ensure all equipment is retrieved.
Ensure hiding places or difficult access areas have not been overlooked.
Release
Release the crime scene after the final survey.
Crime scene release documentation should include the time and date of release, to whom released, and by whom released.
Ensure that the evidence is collected according to legal requirements, documented, and marked for identification.
Consider the need for specialists such as a blood-pattern analyst or a medical examiner to observe the scene before it is released.
Once the scene has been released, reentry may require a warrant.
The scene should be released only when all personnel are satisfied that the scene was searched correctly and completely.
Only the person in charge should release the scene.
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