ABSTRACT
During the collection and preservation processes, it is important to understand how certain items should be collected and packaged. If an item is wet, it should not be placed in a plastic bag due to contamination by molding and bacterial growth. Additionally, if items are small, they should be placed in smaller containers. Fire debris evidence should be placed in air tight cans. Once the evidence has been properly contained, the storage container (whether a plastic bag, a paper envelope or bag, or a metal can) needs to be sealed with tamper proof evidence tape. This special tape will easily tear or deform when it is removed; therefore, it will be noticeable if anyone tampers with the sealed evidence.
