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Collecting DNA Evidence at Property Crime Scenes

Procedures

Procedures

Photo of an evidence collection in a file envelope
National Institute of Justice (NIJ) (see reuse policy).

Procedures common to all biological evidence collection include the following: Submit the entire item, if possible. Use a clean or disposable razor blade or scalpel to cut out or scrape the stain. Air-dry the stain before packaging (do NOT use heat, fans, or sunlight to dry the stains). Collect the control sample using the method for the type of evidence and surface. Package each sample separately and label with identifying information and with biohazard designation

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