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Exemplary Project: Prince George’s County (MD) Police Department Evidence Handbook
Prince George’s County, Maryland encompasses almost 500 square miles, is home to more than 800,000 residents, and is located in the suburbs of Washington, DC. As in many other jurisdictions crime scene integrity and the collection and transfer of evidence by law enforcement is under intense scrutiny by the criminal justice system. Everyone who enters a crime scene or handles evidence must be aware of the potential impact their actions may have on a criminal investigation and its outcome. The increase in televised high profile criminal cases has shown the importance of crime scene evidence and the collection of that evidence. Evidence collected in prior cases, when current technology was unavailable, is now being reexamined and producing information to close "cold cases" which many felt would never be solved.
In 1999, the Prince George’s County Police Department (PGPD) constructed a new state-of-the-art Serology DNA Laboratory and upgraded its Drug Analysis Laboratory. These new and improved facilities, combined with new technology such as digital photography, led then Police Chief John S. Farrell to request the publication of an evidence handbook. His desire was to have a single reference guide that could be used by all employees, sworn and civilian, who are responsible for the collection and preservation of evidence.
Prior to publishing the handbook, the agency already had a well-established evidence unit, and burglary prevention officers assigned to patrol squads. Employees in the Evidence Unit receive extensive training and are responsible for processing major (homicide, rape, robbery, etc.) crime scenes. The officers who are designated as burglary prevention officers receive additional training in the lifting of latent prints, and basic photography. The handbook serves as a valuable resource, especially for patrol officers, as they respond to crime scenes.
Chapter 1 - Introduction to Physical Evidence Chapter 2 - Crime Scene Management Chapter 3 - Crime Scene Photography Chapter 4 - Fingerprints Chapter 5 - Trace Evidence Chapter 6 - Biological Evidence Chapter 7 - Controlled Dangerous Substance (CDS) Chapter 8 - Questioned Document Chapter 9 - Firearms and Related Evidence Chapter 10 - Gunshot Primer Residues Chapter 11 - Electronic Evidence
Each chapter has a text box that lists the equipment needed to collect the particular type of evidence being discussed. Safety concerns associated with that particular type of evidence are also discussed, and instructions for proper safety precautions are explained as well. Each chapter also has a section that discusses the appropriate packaging and marking of evidence.
Three appendixes are contained in the handbook: A. Quick Reference of Evidence Collection Procedures - a quick reference chart for evidence collection. B. General Evidence Collection Supply List - a general listing of evidence supplies. C. Glove Use Information - a detailed discussion of the importance of glove usage in all evidence collection.
Employees of the Forensic Services Division, which includes the Evidence Unit, Computer Forensic Unit, Drug Analysis Laboratory, Firearms Examination Unit, and the DNA Serology Laboratory, compiled information in the PGPD Evidence Handbook.
Once the information was collected, it was written and edited by the Planning and Research Division. When the final approval was obtained, Planning and Research organized a rough layout of the information and photographs. The product was taken to a professional graphic artist, where it was completed.
After months of research, writing, and editing, the first edition of the PGPD Evidence Handbook was printed by a local print shop in September of 2000. The handbook was printed in both a bound, and three-hole punched format. The hole-punched handbooks were designed to be stored in the same binder as the officers’ General Order Manuals. The handbook was distributed, with the officers signing a receipt form to acknowledge that they received it. New recruit officers receive copies and training while they attend the police academy. The handbook has been well received and has proven to be a valuable tool to the officers of this agency.
For more information, please contact: Prince George's County Police Department Planning and Research Division 7600 Barlowe Road Palmer Park, Maryland 20785 (301) 772-4784
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The PGPD Evidence Handbook is organized into
chapters that are all similarly formatted so the reader can easily find
information when needed. These chapters are: 