G14.1.1 Twenty Four Hour Availability of Qualified Personnel
Chapter: Chapter 14 – Collection and Preservation of Evidence
Sub-Chapter: 14.1 - Evidence Collection
Effective Date: 11/01/2019
Revised Date: 02/08/2023
Rescinds: G14.1.1 – 11/1/2019
Purpose
To state that the Indiana University Police Department (IUPD) has access to trained personnel and equipment to process crime scenes.
General Order
Qualified personnel trained in crime scene processing, equipment, and supplies are available on a 24-hour basis to process crime scenes. Qualified personnel may or may not be employed by the IUPD. If a there is a need to process the scene of an incident that exceeds the capabilities of the IUPD, the IUPD will request such services from another agency. (14.1.1)
Procedure
The IUPD will maintain and make available to evidence technicians a variety of processing equipment and supplies including, but not limited to: fingerprinting kits, cameras, evidence packaging supplies and labels, barrier tape, personal protective equipment, and report forms.
Generally, the patrol officer assigned to completing the preliminary investigation will collect evidence commensurate with training they have received. If processing the scene exceeds the capabilities of the IUPD and requires a more qualified person to process, the officer will secure the scene until an evidence technician arrives.
Evidence technicians receive specialized training in crime scene processing which may include, but is not limited to: recovery of latent fingerprints and palm prints, recovery of foot, tool, and tire impressions, photographing crime scenes, preparing crime scene sketches, and the collection and preservation of physical evidence.
If an IUPD evidence technician is not available, the IUPD will contact the appropriate local crime lab or law enforcement agency for assistance in processing the scene.