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G.O. 416.01

Page 1 of 18

PANAMA CITY POLICE DEPARTMENTGENERAL ORDERTITLE: COLLECTION, PROCESSING AND PRESERVATION OF EVIDENCEGENERAL ORDER: 416.01EFFECTIVE:

12/19/07

RESCINDS: 416.01 (01/01/06)ACCREDITATION STANDARD: CFA 34.09M, 35.01M, 35.03, 35.04, 36.01M, 36.05MPAGES: 18CONTENTS:

This order consists of the following numbered sections:

G.O. 416.01

Page 2 of 18To establish guidelines for first officer responsibilities and the notification of crime scenepersonnel to process crime scenes for the collection, handling, and preservation of evidence.

SCOPE:

This order applies to all Panama City Police Department members.

DISCUSSION:

Uniformed personnel are normally the first to respond to the scene of a crime involvingperson(s) and/or property. While the preservation of life is of paramount importance tofirst responders, successful prosecution of the case may depend on how well the crimescene was protected and the physical evidence collected.

POLICY:

To establish guidelines for the collection and preservation of evidence in a professionaland proficient manner and as set forth by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

PROCEDURE:I. ORGANIZATION:A.

The Crime Scene Unit has crime scene investigators on duty or on-call to respondto crime scenes. These investigators are available on a twenty-four (24) hour basisand may be contacted via telephone.

A crime scene investigator shall respond to calls for service where a crime hasbeen committed that involves the collection of physical evidence that is beyondthe expertise of responding patrol officers.

The primary responsibility for any crime scene rests with the officer who receivesthe call for services and shall remain at the scene until they are relieved by asupervisor, detective, or crime scene investigator. All requests for a crime sceneinvestigator shall be authorized by a supervisor.

Entry of persons into a crime scene shall be controlled by the case agent orsupervisor.

II. CRIME SCENE RESPONSIBILITIES:A. Officer Responsibilities:

The first officer to arrive at a crime scene is responsible

G.O. 416.01

Page 3 of 18for securing the scene to reduce the risk of damage, loss, or movement of evidence. Access to the scene will be restricted to essential persons.

For crime scenes that require minimal latent investigation, the officer’sresponsibilities shall include, but are not limited to:

Recording the names of persons who enter or leave the crimescene. The names shall be documented in an incident report.

Photographing, diagramming, and sketching the scene, if applicable.

Preserve the condition of evidence during and after collection.

Collecting latent fingerprints.

For major crime scenes officers shall:

Record the names of persons who enter or leave the crime scene



a Crime Scene Log.

(PCPD Form #85)

Assist crime scene investigators or detectives, as requested, withthe collection and preservation of evidence.

B. Supervisor Responsibilities:

A supervisor may authorize the call-out of a crimescene investigator for major crime scenes, cases of substantial property loss, orwhen the supervisor determines circumstances exist requiring the need of a crimescene investigator. The supervisor will request an on-duty or on-call investigatorthrough the Communications Center.

C. Crime Scene Investigator Responsibilities:



A crime scene investigator (CSI) dispatched to a scene will respond in anagency assigned vehicle with equipment necessary to:

Photograph.

Videotape.

Sketch a crime scene.

Recover latent fingerprints.