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DNA - A Prosecutor’s Practice Notebook Inventory

Reviewing Collected Evidence

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Photo of collected evidence artifacts and samples
National Institute of Justice (NIJ) (see reuse policy).

During charging decisions or trial preparation, it is always helpful to meet with the investigator as soon as possible to discuss the status of the case, review the chain of custody, and determine what evidence needs to be tested.  Too often this is done at the last minute, and creates havoc at the lab as analysts stop everything to test the evidence sample.  

After meeting with the crime lab analyst, the prosecutor should begin to anticipate potential defense attacks and determine if additional testing should be done to address those attacks.

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