Recovery and packaging of evidence
The following guidance is intended to assist the master
to collect material which may assist in the subsequent investigation
by a law enforcement authority.
The master should:
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.1 wear fresh protective clothing such as overalls,
rubber gloves (for each separate item if practical) as well as have
some facial protection, e.g. chemical/dust masks, to give some protection
to himself and to avoid distribution of own fingerprints and biological
material on the recovered items;
-
.2 items in the open and vulnerable to weather
conditions should be given priority over those that are enclosed,
e.g. bridge, machinery spaces, cabins, mess room, etc.; and
-
.3 all items are to be photographed, identified,
labelled, and logged at the location found before removal and packaging.
The camera should be set to the correct date and time before starting.
This will help ensure an accurate visual record which would be of
evidential value. The film or digital imaging record will also be
subject to evidential value.