Section 4 Guidelines on recovery and packaging of evidence

TYPE OF EXHIBIT	SAMPLING/TREATMENT	RECOMMENDED PACKAGING	PRACTICAL OPTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
WARNING: THE HANDLING OF BODY FLUIDS CONSTITUTES A HEALTH HAZARD ALWAYS SEEK ADVICE IF UNSURE
BLOOD
A) Bloodstained items	If an easily removable item, e.g. knife, ashtray, bottle, etc. (see further down re: clothing), allow the item to dry completely and naturally before packaging. DO NOT accelerate drying. Make a note on exhibit seizure form if blood stain was wet when obtained.	Place each individual item in a separate, suitable and properly sealed container, e.g. sealed strong paper bags or stout paper sacks. In the absence of sacks, cardboard boxes will suffice. Bags/sacks should be folded over twice and sealed with adhesive tape (adhesive tape or similar device), boxes should also be sealed with tape. Clearly mark any sack or container that contains blood with "BIOHAZARD".	Bags/paper sacks must not have been used previously. If no "police issue" sacks are available, suitable sacks would be those used for paper waste disposal. If a cardboard box is used, it should be as clean as possible and lined with clean paper. Write the exhibit identification reference on the sack/box as you seal it. Note: Plastic bags should not be used for blood stained items as they promote dampness. Nor should staplers ever be used to seal bags. Seek advice and guidance from ship’s doctor/medic and/or shore authorities if required.
B) Bloodstains on immovable objects			If possible seal off the room. Mark any sack or container that contains blood with "BIOHAZARD".
1) Pools of wet blood WARNING – Syringes and needles pose a serious health hazard and must be handled with extreme care Wherever possible, seek medical advice before handling.	Can be collected using a syringe. Sample of the blood can be taken by swabbing, ensuring that a sample is taken from each individual pool.	Blood (not syringe) to be placed into a clean, dry bottle/jar with a screw top. Syringe to be disposed of in proper "sharps" box. Area taken from to be indicated in notes, exhibit reference documented on outside of swab, then placed in an exhibit bag. Make note as to type of stain, i.e. wet/dry.	As above.
2) Partly clotted blood	Lift with a clean knife or scalpel blade.	As above.	As above. Keep all WET or SEMI-SOLID blood samples in a cool place. If delay likely in passing to authorities, consider deep freezing samples (away from food products). Take advice before doing so.
3) Dry blood	If practical and possible, cut away the surface containing the stain. A non-stained part of the item should also be taken as a control sample. OR Scrape dry blood onto a clean sheet of paper.	Place each individual item (including the control sample) into a separate suitable container, e.g. paper sack, cardboard box and seal properly with adhesive tape. Fold paper carefully and seal in a labelled envelope.	Seek advice from ship’s doctor/medic and shore authorities. Never use staplers.
4) Semen stained items	The whole item containing the stain should be taken. If the stain is still wet, ALLOW ITEM TO DRY NATURALLY in an isolated area, before packaging. Avoid talking over the item, as contamination can occur. Small items such as tampons, sanitary towels or knickers should be frozen where possible. Condoms should either be sealed with a clip or tied at the top.	Place each individual item in a sealed paper sack or clean cardboard box. Note any stains which were wet when obtained, both in the notes and on the exhibit.	As above. May be impractical to obtain and store. However, if possible to obtain and store, it could provide valuable evidence.
FIBRES AND HAIRS
Items onto which fibres may have been transferred (e.g. from victim's clothing to other clothing, bedding, weapons)	Where possible recover the whole item with the minimum of disturbance. If it cannot be packaged, cut out approximately 20 cm square of material OR pull out tufts of fibres. Otherwise, seek advice from shore authorities as to fibre sampling.	Place in an envelope sealing all seams and openings. Large items should be placed in a clean paper sack or cardboard box. If there is more than one piece then wrap each item SEPARATELY and seal effectively with adhesive tape.	Do not use staplers, seal with adhesive tape. A plastic sack could be used if the item is completely dry. Polythene bags (providing no dampness) or paper sacks can be used.
Rope or twine used by alleged offender	Recover the whole length of rope if possible OR obtain a length at least 30 cm long. For suspicious deaths or suicide, recover the whole item.	Wrap each item separately in a polythene or paper sack and seal effectively.	Do not use staplers, but always use adhesive tape to seal any bag.
Where there is a possibility of a PHYSICAL FIT between broken or cut ends	If the rope must be cut to remove it, first clearly label the original cut or broken ends. Always leave knots intact.	Protect the cut or broken ends with paper or polythene bags so that they cannot be damaged and place each individual piece of rope or twine in a separate polythene or paper sack.	As well as potential evidence re: a crime, such evidence could be of considerable value to an accident investigation or inquest re: suicide.
Items recovered that may have hairs present	Recover the whole item wherever possible.	Wrap each item separately in a polythene or paper sack and ensure the bag is completely sealed.	Do not use staplers to secure the bag, only seal with adhesive tape.
CLOTHING, BEDDING AND FOOTWEAR
Clothing (used or left)	Recover the whole item of clothing.	As above.	As above.
Wet or damp items WARNING – See first page re: handling materials containing body fluids	Allow to dry naturally as soon as possible on a paper-lined surface.	When completely dry, package as above. If it cannot dry, place in plastic bag and freeze (if very wet).	Avoid risks of contamination by drying at separate locations where practical.
Footwear	Package any footwear used by the alleged offender(s).	Use separate paper sacks or cardboard boxes for each item and seal securely.	Suitable boxes might be those that contained photocopier paper. Do not place inside plastic as it will sweat.
Bedding	Where possible and practical recover whole item. Mark upper and lower surfaces head and foot to establish orientation of sheets, blankets, quilts, etc.	Wrap each item separately at the recovery location if possible. Place in a stout paper sack and seal with adhesive tape.	Ensure that all recovered items are kept separate to avoid cross contamination. If a number of cabins are involved, if practical, ensure different staff recovers bedding and bag and seal items at a separate location before storage.
FOOTWEAR MARKS
Surface transfer marks	Where possible recover whole item, e.g. on paper(s), cardboard, glass, bedding, etc.	Place each item separately in an appropriate and clean container (e.g. cardboard box) to protect.	As above.
Surface transfer marks	If not possible to recover, consider photographing placing two rulers at right angles to show size of mark.	If digital photographs taken, do not use any photo enhancement facilities. Leave for experts to improve upon.	If film photography is used, package the entire film cassette.
GLASSWARE AND CERAMICS
Glasses, cups mugs, etc., used by the alleged offender(s)	Recover whole or broken items used by the alleged offender.	Place any broken pieces in a polythene bag or paper envelope and place in a sturdy cardboard box. Whole items should be individually packaged. Seal the box completely with adhesive tape.	If a box or sack contains broken items that could cut or injure, please label "CAUTION, INJURY HAZARD".
EXPLOSIVES, FIREARMS AND OTHER WEAPONS
IMPORTANT – Safety takes precedence over evidence collection. Specialist advice MUST be sought before ANY action is taken.			Seek urgent advice from shore authorities before taking action unless taking action is critical to preserving life.
Weapons other than firearms (e.g. knives, hammers, hatchets)	DO NOT attach any adhesive material to the blades or handles (this could destroy fingerprints or other evidence of value).	Place in cardboard box or other secure container and seal with adhesive tape.	Where there are items that could cut or injure, please label "CAUTION, INJURY HAZARD".
RECOVERY AND PROTECTION OF PROJECTILES
WARNING – see above re: blood and firearms	Any wounds resulting from a firearm injury should (subject to medical advice) be photographed before surgery. Wherever possible a ruler or scale should be in the photograph adjacent to the wound.	Seek advice re: packaging from shoreside authorities. Photographs of injuries should be in colour as this will show differentiation between blood staining and blackening. Films should not be processed unless it is essential, but should be retained for the relevant authorities.	As above.
	Unless it is absolutely essential to do so, do not attempt to remove a bullet or air pellet that is imbedded in walls, doors, etc. This should be left to forensic experts. Photograph any projectile in situ.		Wherever possible, seek advice from shore authorities before removal of area surrounding projectile. Mark the area clearly without touching or damaging the scene.
MODEL, REPLICA AND BLANK FIRING FIREARMS
IMPORTANT – Safety takes precedence over evidence collection. Specialist advice MUST be sought before ANY action is taken.			Seek urgent advice from shore authorities before taking action unless taking action is critical to preserving life.
CLOTHING OF PERSON SUSPECTED OF DISCHARGING A FIREARM AND ANY VICTIM
WARNING – See first page re: caution to be applied when dealing with body fluids	Clothing should be gently handled to preserve lightly adhering firearm discharge residue. As above. BUT bloodstained clothing must be allowed to dry naturally before being packaged.	Items of clothing must be individually packaged in paper sacks, sealed with adhesive tape and labelled.	Plastic sacks can be used where clothing is dry. Ensure that separate people deal with the suspect’s and victim's clothing at separate locations to eliminate the possibility of cross contamination.
Clothing of victim (crew)	As above.	As above.	As above.
DOCUMENTS (e.g. DEMANDS/RANSOM NOTES)
Hand-written documents	Obtain the ORIGINAL document, place in a polycover and if possible make a photocopy to be used as a working document (e.g. to fax to authorities or head office).	Place in a clean polyfolder or polythene bag. DO NOT WRITE OR MAKE ANY INDENTATIONS ON DOCUMENT.