CHAPTER 8:

PROTOCOLS FOR
COLLECTING EVIDENCE
Edukop Services Sdn Bhd in collaboration with Unikop College

CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION / DPI 2444

DIPLOMA IN POLICING & INVESTIGATION
LECTURERS:
NORASHIKIN OTHMAN
ABD RAHIM HAMZAH BIN OTHMAN

CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (DPI 2444)

2016

LESSON LEARNING OUTCOME

At the end of the lesson the

student will be able to

Summarize how to document
a crime scene.
2. Explain the protocols for
collecting evidence.
1.

CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (DPI 2444)

2016

CONTENTS
1. Identifying the evidence for collection
2. Preservation and collection at a scene
3. Methods for the collection and preservation
4. Documentation

CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (DPI 2444)

2016

EVIDENCE COLLECTION
KITS
1. Paper Envelops/cardboard boxes
2. Plastic zip lock bags
3. Disposable pipettes
4. Labels and markers
5. Evidence tape
6. Blood collection kits
7. Fingerprint kits
8. Rape kits and GSR kits
9. Gun boxes and knife boxes
10.Eye-dropper and bottles

(Supt. Dr. Yew Chong Hooi,2008)

PRESERVATION AND
COLLECTION
The objectives of evidence preservation is:
1. To protect the evidence.
2. To keep pertinent evidence uncontaminated

until it can be recorded and collected.

Protection of scene begins with the arrival of
the first police officer at the scene.
Particular attention should be paid to the floor
since this is the most common repository for
evidence and poses greatest potential for
contamination.
(Barry A.J Fisher & David R.Fisher,2012)

GENERAL GUIDELINES
Maintain

scene
security
throughout
processing and until the scene is released.
Document the collection of evidence by
recording its location at the scene, date of
collection, and who collected it.
Collect each item identified as evidence.
Establish chain of custody.
Obtain standard/reference samples from
the scene.
(Technical Working Group on CSI, 2013)

GENERAL GUIDELINES
Obtain control samples.
Consider obtaining elimination samples.
Immediately secure electronically recorded

evidence (e.g. answering machine tapes,

surveillance camera videotapes, computers)
from the vicinity.
Identify and secure evidence in containers (e.g.,
label, date, initial container) at the crime scene.
Different types of evidence require different
containers (e.g., porous, nonporous, crushproof).
(Technical Working Group on CSI, 2013)

GENERAL GUIDELINES
Package items to avoid contamination and

cross-contamination.
Document the condition of firearms/weapons
prior
to
rendering
them
safe
for
transportation and submission.
Avoid excessive handling of evidence after it
is collected.
Maintain evidence at the scene in a manner
designed to diminish degradation or loss.
Transport and submit evidence items for
secure storage.
(Technical Working Group on CSI, 2013)

PRESERVATION AND
COLLECTION
Under no circumstances should evidence

containing moisture be packaged in plastic

or containers for more than 2 hours.
Moisture
allows
the
growth
of
microorganisms, which can destroy or alter
evidence.
Any items, which may cross contaminate
each other, must be pack separately.
(Supt. Dr. Yew Chong Hooi,2008)

PRESERVATION AND
COLLECTION
Containers should be closed and secured to

prevent
mixture
of
evidence
during
transportation.
Value of evidence should be kept in mind by
the investigator when doing the crime scene
investigation.
Eg. Investigating a crime, I.O. should spend

more time on collecting good fingerprints than

trying to find fibers left by a suspects clothing.
(Supt. Dr. Yew Chong Hooi,2008)

PRESERVATION OF
EVIDENCE
Evidence collected must be preserve in a proper

storage method/approach.
Plastic bags - useful in certain circumstances
but never be used to contain wet items.
Paper bags - allows the evidence to breathe &
prevents sweating & subsequent loss of
evidence in certain circumstances.

(Supt. Dr. Yew Chong Hooi,2008)

METHODS FOR
COLLECTION

Evidence should be handle carefully wear

latex gloves to ensure evidence integrity

and to ensure the personnel safety and
protection against various types of hazard.
Small items of evidence generally can be
lifted and placed directly into a test tube,
small bottle, or plastic bag.
Large items can be placed in boxes or bags.

(Supt. Dr. Yew Chong Hooi,2008)

DOCUMENTATION
(LABELLING)

Collected items should be mark/label .

The mark should be permanent and positive

for identification.
The mark should not be placed on area that
might need to be examined in the lab.
Evidence that cannot be physically mark (e.g
liquids) should be placed in an appropriate
container.
The container should be sealed and identified
with proper label or property tag.
(Supt. Dr. Yew Chong Hooi,2008)

DOCUMENTATION
(LABELLING)
The property tag should indicate:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

The title of the case

The officers name or initials
Date and time
Specific location where the evidence was
found
The case number

It is preferable to have another investigator

to be present at the time the evidence was

found and the name of this investigator
should be recorded on evidence
(Supt. Dr.log.
Yew Chong Hooi,2008)

REFFERENCES
1. Techniques Of Crime Scene Investigation

(3rd Edition). Barry A.J Fisher. Elsevier. USA

2. CSI Malaysia Forensic Investigations
(2008). Supt. Dr. Yew Chong Hooi. Quality
Manager, Forensic Laboratory. Royal
Malaysia Police.
3.

20

Technical Working Group on CSI. Crime Scene

Investigation: A guide for Law Enforcement
(2013). USA.

CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (DPI 2444)

2016

TUTORIAL
The process of collection and preservation of

evidence at the crime scene are important

aspect to ensure the success of crime scene
processing.
1. What are the possible contaminations can occur

during the evidence handling? (5 Marks)

2. Discuss the packaging and labelling methods
perform by investigating officer in evidence
handling (10 Marks)

21

CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION (DPI 2444)

2016