The victim of a homicide is wrapped in a blood-soaked sheet. Describe the proper steps to be taken in order to preserve the sheet for laboratory examination. List all necessary submissions that must be made for a thorough examination of blood evidence

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answer should include points such as the following:
The sheet must be air-dried out of the presence of direct sunlight or heat.
The evidence collector must handle the sheet with a minimal amount of personal contact. All body fluids must be assumed to be infectious; hence, wearing disposable latex gloves while handling the evidence is required. Latex gloves will also significantly reduce the possibility that the evidence collector will contaminate the evidence through perspiration.
The sheet must be wrapped separately from other evidence. A paper bag or well-ventilated box is recommended. Refrigerate the container or store it in a cool location out of direct sunlight until delivery to the laboratory.
Have a physician or nurse collect a minimum of 7 cc of blood from the victim and all suspects in a vacuum tube that doesn't contain a preservative or anticoagulant. Also, collect a minimum of 7 cc of blood containing the anticoagulant EDTA. This blood will be used for DNA testing. Alternatively, a buccal swab can be obtained from each individual.
Label all evidence containers with the evidence collector's name or initials, the date, and the sampling locations. All items collected are to be described in the evidence collector's field notes.