ABSTRACT
Standard operating procedures must be developed for trace DNA evidence collection activities. The procedures must be written to accommodate a variety of scenes. Each trace scene is unique, and analysts must be imaginative to be effective. Collection techniques should be fully described, and proper labeling and packaging procedures should be included. Policies should be developed in conjunction with the forensic pathology staff so as not to interfere with their work. Formal external review of trace DNA evidence collection procedures and quality assurance via accreditation are strongly recommended. Crime scene accreditation is available from the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/ LAB)* and from Forensic Quality Services (FQS).†
For the TECT to function properly, a callout protocol must be put in place to define the circumstances that initiate calling the TECT to a crime scene. We recommend an advisory board to review and guide TECT policy. As described above, the HCIFS Advisory Board includes the trace team lead, several forensic pathologists, death investigators, a trace evidence lab manager, a DNA lab manager, an anthropologist, and the crime lab director.
