Why is evidence collection & documentation important?
If DNA evidence is not properly documented, collected, packaged, and preserved, the following could occur: • It may not meet the legal and scientific requirements for admissibility in a court of law. • Its origin may be questioned. • Contamination may occur. • Decomposition and deterioration may occur. When DNA evidence is transferred by direct or secondary (indirect) means, it remains on surfaces by absorption or adherence. In general, liquid biological evidence is absorbed into surfaces, and solid biological evidence adheres to surfaces. Collecting, packaging, and preserving DNA evidence depends on the liquid or solid state and the condition of the evidence. The more that evidence retains its original integrity until it reaches the Laboratory, the greater the possibility of conducting useful examinations. It may be necessary to use a variety of techniques to collect suspected body fluid evidence.
Related Questions
- Can we do a Documentation project of organizations in our community and also arrange and describe records in our collection relevant to the documentation topic in one grant?
- What type of documentation should be supplied in order to commence with the collection process?
- What documentation is needed to place a collection claim?
