Saving the Clues: A Practical Guide to Packaging Evidence

A manufacturing plant once had a small part fail on a piece of equipment. The investigator collected the broken piece but dropped it into a random box that had scraps and dust inside. When it was reopened, the part was covered in debris and had several new scratches that were not part of the original failure. The one clue they needed was no longer useful. It was a simple mistake with a big impact, and it could have been avoided by packaging evidence properly.

Situations like that remind us that collecting the item is only the first step. Protecting it so it can be analyzed later is where many investigations fall short. A few simple packaging choices can make all the difference. Here are the basics every investigator should know.

Paper Envelopes and Cardboard Containers for Dry Items

Paper envelopes and cardboard boxes are the workhorses of your investigation kit. They let items breathe, they keep moisture away, and they protect most dry evidence without overcomplicating things. A couple of practical points help here. First, match the size of the item to the size of the container. A container that is too big lets evidence bounce around and break apart. A container that is too small can tear or crush the item. Second, watch out for sharp edges. Sharp evidence can push through paper or cardboard and injure the person handling it. Simple adjustments keep the process safe and effective.

Plastic Containers for Wet Items

Plastic containers step in when you are dealing with anything wet. Paper and cardboard cannot hold up to moisture, so plastic is your best short-term option. The key phrase is short-term. Moist items should not sit in a sealed plastic container for more than two hours. Trapped moisture encourages microbial growth and destroys delicate details. After transport, the item needs to dry out and then be repackaged properly.

Preventing Cross-Contamination

If two items could contaminate one another, give them their own containers. This includes anything with dust, residue, fibers, or liquids. Keeping samples separate prevents one piece of evidence from changing or masking another.

Additional Evidence Packaging Guidelines

A few basic habits make packaging smoother:

• Package samples separately whenever possible.
• Use small envelopes for small items so they do not get lost or damaged.
• Place packing tape under evidence tape. Evidence tape is meant to show tampering, not provide a strong seal.
• Label everything clearly.
• Add each item to your evidence log as you go.

And of course, make sure your team has solid training on how to package evidence without compromising it.

Learn More In Our Self-Guided Training

Strengthen your investigation skills with practical tools you can apply immediately. Our self-guided TapRooT® Evidence Collection and Investigative Interviewing Techniques course provides a clear, structured approach to gathering and protecting the information that matters most. In just a few focused hours, you will learn how to collect evidence, package it correctly, build rapport during interviews, and use a proven process to help witnesses recall accurate information. You can take the course on your own schedule within a fourteen-day window.