The Evidence Washline

Many police departments, especially smaller ones, resorted to mundane measures in the past to dry evidence because of the relatively high cost of drying cabinets. Hanging evidence to dry in unused closets, rooms, and shower stalls was common among many agencies.

The makeshift approaches sometimes resulted in large amounts of evidence never adequately drying. Evidence that is not properly dried can result in contamination of DNA and trace evidence.

Gieserlab President Steve Gieser notes that departments that had drying cabinets would often not follow the optimum protocols, such as conducting routine cleaning, when storing evidence. However, applying appropriate techniques for handling evidence has become more mainstream among law enforcement agencies today. The tightening of standards for evidence handling can be partially attributed to the increased use of drying cabinets in the O.J. Simpson murder trial.

Russell Klemann of the City of Waukesha Police Department in Wisconsin noted that the trial brought to attention many of issues involving the handling of evidence.

Andy Chambre, president of Air Science USA, said the more careful handling of evidence is also the result of health concerns because items from crime scenes can contain harmful substances, such as contaminants and bloodborne pathogens. In addition, Joe Latta of the International Association for Property and Evidence said post-conviction appeals have also prompted more departments to use drying cabinets.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from the Law Enforcement Technology (08/06) Vol. 33, No. 8, P. 30; Mills-Senn, Pamela .