ASTM E1459-92(1998)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Physical Evidence Labeling and Related Documentation
Standard Guide for Physical Evidence Labeling and Related Documentation
SCOPE
1.1 This guide describes methods to be used for labeling physical evidence collected during field investigations; received in a forensic laboratory; or isolated, generated, or prepared from items submitted for laboratory examination.
1.2 Many types of physical evidence may be hazardous. It is assumed that personnel assigned to the collection, packaging, storing, or analysis of physical evidence will take precautions as appropriate to the evidence.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation:E1459–92 (Reapproved 1998)
Standard Guide for
Physical Evidence Labeling and Related Documentation
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 1459; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 4.1.3 The location and condition of each item should be
documented prior to collection.
1.1 This guide describes methods to be used for labeling
4.1.4 Each item should be properly protected in an appro-
physical evidence collected during field investigations; re-
priate manner and marked or tagged with the following
ceived in a forensic laboratory; or isolated, generated, or
information:
prepared from items submitted for laboratory examination.
4.1.4.1 Item number,
1.2 Many types of physical evidence may be hazardous. It is
4.1.4.2 Case or incident number,
assumed that personnel assigned to the collection, packaging,
4.1.4.3 Identification of person who collected item,
storing, or analysis of physical evidence will take precautions
4.1.4.4 Date item collected, and
as appropriate to the evidence.
4.1.4.5 Brief description.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1.5 If possible, the evidence should be sealed in a tamper-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
evident container.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.2 The following procedures are intended as an example of
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
a procedure that will satisfy the requirements of 4.1. They may
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
be adapted to the requirements of a specific incident or agency
2. Summary of Practice as required.
4.2.1 At each scene, assign one individual to package, label,
2.1 Any individual item of evidence is marked with a
and inventory evidence.
numeric or alphanumeric designation that is unique and allows
4.2.2 Give each scene a separate identification number. This
the origin of the item to be unequivocally established.
may be the same as the incident or report number, or may be a
3. Significance and Use
combination of an incident or report number and a scene-
specific number.
3.1 By following the procedures specified in this guide, any
4.2.3 Give each item collected at a specific scene a unique
item of physical evidence will have a traceable audit trail by
sequential number.
which the origin, past history, treatment, and analysis of the
4.2.4 Separately package and mark each item with the
item can be determined.
information called for in 4.1.4.
3.2 By following these procedures, the chain of custody of
any item of physical evidence will be maintained and docu-
5. Marking Items Produced During Examination in the
mented.
Forensic Laboratory
4. Marking Evidence Upon Original Collection
5.1 General Requirements:
5.1.1 Any item isolated, generated, or prepared during
4.1 General Requirements:
laboratory examination should be appropriately
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