Mike Byrd Miami-Dade Police Department Crime Scene Investigations
Often times we do not understand the importance of the little things that we do until we have done them. It is the little things that make us stand out. "Do not speak of your work, however allow your work to speak for you."
What is the purpose of tagging and labeling items of evidence?
The primary purpose for the crime scene investigator or evidence recovery technician, in
tagging and marking items of evidence is so that he/she will be able to easily identify those items at a later date. The tagging, labeling and marking of the evidence adds credibility and control to our ability to identifying the item.
What is the chain of custody?
The important chain of custody for the evidence at a crime scene usually starts with the collection done by the investigator-technician. The marking and labeling begins our control and custody of the items of evidence.
The chain of custody is defined as the witnessed, written record of all of the individuals who maintained unbroken control over the items of evidence. It establishes the proof that the items of evidence collected at the crime scene is the same evidence that is being presented in a court of law.
What does the chain of custody establish?
who had contact with the evidence
the date and time the evidence was handled
the circumstances for the evidence being handled
what changes, if any, were made in the evidence
Properly tagging all evidence
What information belongs on the tag?
All evidence collected at the crime scene should be tagged. If the item cannot be tagged then it should be labeled or marked. Consistency should always be adhered to in the
information that is used for marking and labeling the evidence.
description of item
police case number or identifier
date
location of collection
collectors name and identifier
brand name
any serial number or garment information
Properly marking and
labeling evidence packages
What about the information marking the outside of the evidence package?
Similar information should be labeled are marked on the outside of the packaging mediums.
type of case
date
location of collection
item description
police case number or identifier
serial number or garment identifier
collector's name and identifier information
where item is being routed to for
analysis
You will be amazed at how easy and organized these tips will be for your identification of the evidence when it is presented in a court of law.
About the Author
Mike Byrd (1955-2005) joined the Miami-Dade County Police Department in 1983 and started with the Crime Scene Investigations Bureau in 1987. He took an
exceptionally active part in the science of forensic crime scene investigations, including development of new techniques, publishing methodology of crime scene procedures, and teaching. Mike developed new techniques for gathering and cataloging crime scene evidence including the lifting of fingerprints, vehicle tire impressions, and footwear impressions.
Mike's methods and analysis withstood the scrutiny of the criminal justice process. He published more than thirty crime scene articles on
crime scene evidence collection and for the International Association for Identification and was awarded The Good of the Association Award in 2002 for his innovative identification methodology and techniques. He taught crime scene investigation procedures and techniques at police departments around the country and took great pride at instructing smaller Florida police departments in the latest techniques in evidence gathering.
Mike performed the tough detailed oriented forensic work
at many major crime scenes and disasters over two-decades. He gathered, processed, and identified the DNA evidence used to convict the Tamiami Strangler for a string of heinous murders in 1994. His thoughtful gathering of evidence at the Valujet crash allowed families to reach closure for the deaths of loved ones.
Mike Byrd died after a more than two year battle with multiple myeloma cancer. Annually, the Police Officer Assistance Trust awards the
Mike Byrd Crime Scene Investigation Scholarship in his honor.
Articles by Mike Byrd
Applied Basic Concepts...WHAT IT TAKES
Crash
Developing and Lifting Latent Footwear Impressions
Disaster Management
DNA, The Next Generation Technology is Here!
Duty Description for
the Crime Scene Investigator
Fragile (Sensitive) Fingerprint Recovery from Mylar Surface
Hazards and a Crime Scene
If It's There, We'll Find It!
Innovative Evidence Identification Markers at a Crime Scene
Other Impression Evidence
Packaging Firearms
Proper Tagging
and Labeling of Evidence for Later Identification
Reaching Beyond the Norm
Ridge Detail at a Crime Scene
Simple EZ Sketching
Simple Tire Standards Collection
The Corpse as a Scene
Written Documentation at a Crime Scene
When gathering evidence as part of a forensic investigation What does the chain of custody show choose 5 correct answers?
It indicates the collection, sequence of control, transfer, and analysis. It also documents each person who handled the evidence, the date/time it was collected or transferred, and the purpose for the transfer.
When gathering evidence as part of a forensic investigation What does the chain of custody show?
Chain of custody indicates the collection, sequence of control, transfer and analysis. It also documents details of each person who handled the evidence, date and time it was collected or transferred, and the purpose of the transfer.
What 4 things does a chain of custody establish?
The chain of custody is a tracking record beginning with detailed scene notes that describe where the evidence was received or collected. Collection techniques, preservation, packaging, transportation, storage and creation of the inventory list are all part of the process used in establishing the chain of custody.
What does the chain of custody show?
Chain of custody refers to the documentation that establishes a record of the control, transfer, and disposition of evidence in a criminal case.
