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What Every Law Enforcement Officer Should Know About DNA Evidence

Investigators and Evidence Technicians

Collect & Package

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Images depicting the collection and packaging of DNA evidence
National Institute of Justice (NIJ) (see reuse policy).

Collection & Packaging Procedures

General procedures for collecting DNA evidence are

  • Submit the entire item if possible
  • Use a clean or disposable razor blade or scalpel to cut out or scrape the stain
  • Air-dry the stain before packaging
  • Use a new or clean razor blade or scalpel to cut out a control sample

If cutting is not appropriate to collect the evidence, new swabs can be used.

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