Which practice is part of properly collecting and preserving evidence?

• A. Leaving items in place
• B. Ignoring instructions
• C. Properly bagging items
• D. Improvising containers

Answer: (C)

Collecting and preserving evidence hinges on preventing contamination and maintaining its integrity from the moment it’s collected. Properly bagging items is the best practice because it provides a secure, inert container that protects the evidence during transport and storage, helps prevent cross-contamination, and supports a clear chain of custody with proper labeling and seals. When an item is bagged correctly, include clean gloves, use a fresh bag, seal it with a tamper-evident seal, and label it with the case number, a description, date/time, and the initials of the person who collected it. By contrast, leaving items in place risks disturbance or loss, ignoring instructions bypasses established protocols, and improvising containers can contaminate or fail to protect the evidence.