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HomeMy Public PortalAboutPRR 17-2571RECORDS REQUEST (the “Request”) Date of Request: _______________ Requestor’s Request ID#: __________________ REQUESTEE: Custodian of Records Town of Gulf Stream REQUESTOR: __ Martin E. O’Boyle _______________________________ REQUESTOR’S CONTACT INFORMATION: E-Mail: records@commerce-group.com Fax: 954-360-0807 or Contact Records Custodian at records@commerce-group.com; Phone: 954-360-7713; Address: 1280 West Newport Center Drive, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442 REQUEST: Please provide all policies, procedures, directives and other records which would relate to actions which are required to be taken, recommended to be taken or should be taken in connection with break ins, vandalism, mischief (of any sort), including, without limitation, malicious mischief and theft in the Town of Gulf Stream, which were in effect on July 30, 2017. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING REQUEST: _________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________ THIS REQUEST IS MADE PURSUANT TO ARTICLE I, SECTION 24 OF THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION AND CHAPTER 119, FLORIDA STATUTES IF THE PUBLIC RECORDS BEING SOUGHT ARE MAINTAINED BY YOUR AGENCY IN AN ELECTRONIC FORMAT PLEASE PRODUCE THE RECORDS IN THE ORIGINAL ELECTRONIC FORMAT IN WHICH THEY WERE CREATED OR RECEIVED. SEE §119.01(2)(F), FLORIDA STATUTES. IF NOT AVAILABLE IN ELECTRONIC FORM, IT IS REQUESTED THAT THIS RECORDS REQUEST BE FULFILLED ON 11 X 17 PAPER. NOTE: IN ALL CASES (UNLESS IMPOSSIBLE) THE COPIES SHOULD BE TWO SIDED AND SHOULD BE BILLED IN ACCORDANCE WITH Section 119.07(4) (a) (2) ALSO PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF §119.07(1)(H) OF THE FLORIDA STATUTES, WHICH PROVIDES THAT “IF A CIVIL ACTION IS INSTITUTED WITHIN THE 30-DAY PERIOD TO ENFORCE THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SECTION WITH RESPECT TO THE REQUESTED RECORD, THE CUSTODIAN OF PUBLIC RECORDS MAY NOT DISPOSE OF THE RECORD EXCEPT BY ORDER OF A COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION AFTER NOTICE TO ALL AFFECTED PARTIES.” ALL ELECTRONIC COPIES ARE REQUESTED TO BE SENT BY E-MAIL DELIVERY. PLEASE PROVIDE THE APPROXIMATE COSTS (IF ANY) TO FULFILL THIS PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST IN ADVANCE. It will be required that the Requestor approve of any costs, asserted by the Agency (as defined in Florida Statute, Chapter 119.01 (Definitions)), in advance of any costs imposed to the Requestor by the Agency. “BY FULFILLING THIS RECORDS REQUEST, THE AGENCY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE RESPONSIVE DOCUMENTS ARE “PUBLIC RECORDS” AS DEFINED IN CHAPTER 119, FLORIDA STATUTES”. IN CONNECTION WITH ANY RECORDS WITHHELD, NOT PRODUCED OR REDACTED, PLEASE PROVIDE US WITH A “PRIVILEGE LOG” AND/OR THE BASIS (PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 119 OF THE FLORIDA STATUTES) FOR ANY SUCH RECORDS WITHHELD, NOT PRODUCED OR REDACTED. I/P/NP/FLRR 03.30.2017 TOWN OF GULF STREAM PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA Delivered via e-mail August 3, 2017 Martin E. O'Boyle [mail to: recordsaa,commerce-groun.coml Re: GS #2571 (PRR 1889) Please provide all policies, procedures, directives and other records which would relate to actions which are required to be taken, recommended to be taken or should be taken in connection with break ins, vandalism, mischief (of any sort), including, without limitation, malicious mischief and theft in the Town of Gulf Stream, which were in effect on July 30, 2017. Dear Martin E. O'Boyle [mail to: recordsna,commerce-group.coml: The Town of Gulf Stream has received your public records request dated July 31, 2017. You should be able to view your original request and response at the following link: h"://www2.gulf-stream.org/weblink/O/doc/l 12446/1age l . asm We understand your request to be seeking the policies of the Gulf Stream Police Department that relate to criminal investigations, including crime scene investigations. Absent clarification from you and based on this understanding, we are providing you with the Gulf Stream Police Department Policy on Criminal Investigations, and Crime Scene Investigation and Evidence Collection. If we do not hear back from you within 30 days of this letter, we will consider this request closed. Sincerely, ", k°0( As requested by Rita Taylor Town Clerk, Custodian of the Records GULF STREAM POLICE DEPARTMENT -Criminal Investigations SOP# 18.01 CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS EFFECTIVE: 07/01/07 I. POLICY: The purpose of this procedure is to establish guidelines and criteria for conducting criminal investigations. While conducting criminal investigations, members will comply with all constitutional requirements. The investigative process may include interviews and interrogations, identifying, collecting, and preserving physical evidence, and surveillance. 11. DEFINITION A. Crime Scene - The location where the crime occurred or where the indication of the crime exists. It includes the area where the crime was committed and any portion of the surrounding area over, or through which the suspect or victim passed en route to, or going away from the scene of the crime. III. PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONS: A. The first member responding to the scene of a crime or complaint will: 1. Record the information provided by dispatch. 2. Respond to the scene in a safe manner. 3. Determine if an offense has been committed and if so, the exact nature of the offense by observing all conditions, events and remarks. 4. Protect the victims/parties involved in the incident. 5. If necessary, administer first aid and/or summon medical assistance. 6. Take immediate steps to protect and preserve the crime scene, if any, from contamination and protect evidence. The officer will request additional members to accomplish this requirement if necessary. 7. Determine the identity of the suspect(s), if possible. 8. Provide other members with information regarding the incident, i.e., suspect descriptions, vehicles, direction of travel, etc. Locate and identify the witnesses. 10. Effect the arrest of the suspect(s), if possible. 11. Take any other immediate action deemed necessary by the nature of the incident. 12. Obtain oral and/or written statements from the victim(s), witness(s) and from the suspect(s) if possible. 13. Collect, or arrange for the collection of, evidence. 14. Accurately and completely record all pertinent information on the appropriate report form(s). B. When conducting an investigation, members will develop pertinent information through available resources which may include, but not be limited to; witnesses, victims, informants, physical evidence, known M.O.'s and suspects associated with the investigation. 1. The information that is received will be: a. documented in the police report, if pertinent, b. transmitted to officers working cases in which the information may impact, and/or c. transmitted to other police agencies with an interest in the information. IV. MAJOR CASE INVESTIGATION AND CRIME SCENE PRESERVATION: A. At a major crime scene, i.e., sexual battery, homicide, armed robbery, arson, suspicious death or other serious felony, the initial responding officer(s) will: 1. Immediately notify the supervisor for assistance and guidance. 2. Conduct the preliminary investigation as described above in Section III, A., 1 through 10. B. The responding supervisor will: 1. Ensure the entire area is cordoned off with crime scene tape to prevent unauthorized intrusion, if necessary. Page 1 of 5 GULF STREAM POLICE DEPARTMENT -Criminal Investigations SOP 18.01 a. If the crime is a homicide or other V. FOLLOW-UP INVESTIGATION serious crime where outside assistance is necessary, request appropriate A. The goal of the follow-up investigation is to agency(s). The Chief of Police has safeguard victims and/or identify, apprehend designated the Palm Beach Sheriffs and secure evidence necessary to prosecute Office will handle all homicide or other the suspect(s), and recover and return stolen serious crimes where assistance is property to its rightful owner. needed. 2. Ensure the on-call supervisor is notified, as necessary. 3. Ensure an officer is assigned to document all persons entering the crime scene, if necessary. 4. Request investigative support personnel as necessary. C. If a investigator is responding, no formal oral or written statements will be taken, nor will evidence be collected, by initial responding personnel unless requested by the responding detective. 1. Victims, witnesses and/or suspects will be interviewed only to the extent necessary to assure officer and public safety and obtain information needed by other responding units. 2. Volatile, endangered, or fragile evidence may be collected by initial responding officers only when failure to do so will result in its destruction or loss of its evidentiary value. The preferred course is preservation until a detective can process the evidence. D. The supervisor will assume responsibility for the scene until relieved by an investigator or the Chief of Police. The supervisor or investigator will direct the activities of all support personnel, including, but not limited to: 1. Coordinating the collection and preservation of physical evidence. 2. Assigning members to conduct preliminary interviews of the complainant(s) and witness(s) to determine the nature of their involvement. 3. Assisting the assigned officer with his or her initial investigation. 4. All evidence collected is entered into evidence accompanied by a Evidence/Property form. B. Certain cases require more than a preliminary investigation, but do not require a detective. The initial reporting member may follow up these cases. When necessary, the shift supervisor will consult with the Chief of Police to determine if a detective is needed. The criteria for determining follow-up assignment include, but are not limited to: 1. The level of expertise required to complete the investigation. 2. The seriousness of the incident. 3. The likely geographic boundaries to be covered during the investigation. 4. Calls for service of the initiating officer. 5. Other factors which may affect the investigation. C. Certain cases require review of the solvability factors present, if any, before determining follow-up investigation needs. 1. All felony and misdemeanor cases will be reviewed by the Chief of Police or designee for solvability factors and intelligence information related to existing investigations and/or possible suspects. 2. The Chief of Police or designee will assign the case for an appropriate level of investigation based on solvability factors present. D. Cases with solvability factors present will be assigned for a specified minimum level of follow-up based upon the type and quality of factors present. 1. The investigator will read all police reports prepared in the preliminary investigation. 2. The investigator will check the criminal history of any named suspect(s). 3. Based on individual case circumstances, the investigator may conduct additional interviews of, and/or a search or neighborhood canvass for, victims, Page 2 of 5 GULF STREAM POLICE DEPARTMENT -Criminal Investigations SOP# 18.01 witnesses, neighbors, reporting parties, and VII. INVESTIGATIVE INTERVIEWS: possible suspects to clarify information or seek additional details or evidence that may A. Investigative Interviews are intended to: have been unknown or missed during earlier phases of the investigation. 1. Secure a confession or gain evidence to 4. The investigator may check agency reports, records, or other events occurring in the same time frame of the initial report for similarities and any previous reports made by the victim. 5. Investigators may develop pertinent information through available sources, I. e. patrol officers, informants, etc. 6. Investigators will ensure all physical evidence has been collected, scientifically analyzed where appropriate, and all laboratory results are reviewed when available. 7. Investigators will, when appropriate, conduct surveillance of suspects or locations to develop leads or information. 8. Investigators will, when appropriate, disseminate information relative to crimes and suspects throughout the department and other agencies in the form of BOLO's, teletype entries, etc. VI. ARRESTS: A. In all felony arrest situations prior to the arrested person being released to another agency, the arresting officer will notify a supervisor to: 1. Determine if an investigator wishes to interview the suspect. 2. Determine if the arrestee is a suspect in any other crime. 3. If no investigator is on -duty and the incident requires immediate follow up due to its nature, i.e., the arrestee is volunteering information that must be acted on immediately, or the arrest is based on a probable cause affidavit or other documentation requesting notification, the on-call supervisor will be notified. strengthen the case; 2. Identify co-defendant(s); 3. Identify the location of stolen property; 4. Discover any instrumentality used during the commission of the crime; 5. Discover possible involvement in other criminal activity; 6. Develop investigative leads; and/or 7. Gather intelligence information. B. Members will represent themselves in a professional manner and adhere to the applicable laws and practices which govern investigative interviews of persons: 1. The Constitution of the United States; 2. The Bill of Rights; 3. Florida State Statutes; and 4. The Gulf Stream Police Department Standard Operating Procedures. C. An officer is required to advise a person suspected of committing a crime of his or her Constitutional Rights under the "Miranda Decision" before that person is questioned when: 1. The suspect is arrested and in custody. 2. When "custodial interrogation" exists. a. This occurs when a suspect(s) freedom is limited by police to the "degree associated with formal arrest". D. The officer will read the Miranda Rights from a standard rights card or form prior to interviewing a person who is under arrest or in a custodial interrogation situation. 1. The interviewing officer will ensure that the person being interviewed is read the Miranda Rights and interviewed in the appropriate language by an officer or investigator who is fluent in that language. 2. The interviewing officer will advise and Page 3 of 5 explain if necessary, each provision of the Miranda Rights to ensure the subject comprehends what was said. 3. The officer will request the subject sign the rights card to acknowledge that he or she understood the Miranda Rights. E. Whenever a victim, witness, suspect, or arrestee is brought to the police station for an interview by a member, the member may use areas within the police station to conduct the interview. 1. A suspect or arrested person will be interviewed for reasonable periods of time including breaks for nourishment and personal needs. 2. A suspect or arrested person will not be left unattended or unsecured within the police department while conducting an interview. F. Determine if a Computer Voice Stress Analyzer (CVSA) would be beneficial under the circumstances. The use of a CVSA will be governed in accordance with SOP. G. The following techniques may be use to elicit information from the suspect or witness: 1. Establish rapport with the suspect or witness. 2. Empathize and/or sympathize with the suspect or witness. 3. Point out the existence of evidence or witnesses that tie the suspect to the crime. 4. Minimize the seriousness of the crime. 5. Point out the futility of not telling the truth. 6. Any other lawfully accepted technique which may cause the suspect or witness to tell the truth regarding his knowledge of the matter being investigated. LrA H. Investigating officers are encouraged to use the departments audio taping capabilities for the purpose of recording statements and confessions in a manner consistent with state law. VIII. POST ARREST PROCEDURES: A. All reports written about an incident will be fully and accurately recorded on the proper report form. B. Once the suspect is arrested, members will prepare the necessary paperwork and file the case with the State Attorney's Office. 1. After filing, and when an Assistant State Attorney has been assigned the prosecution, the member will offer any assistance necessary for a successful prosecution. 2. Members will assist the State Attorney's Office with trial case preparation, i.e., crime scene photographs, displays, etc. C. Prior to submitting the case to the State Attorney's Office for filing, the investigator will check to see if the arrested person(s) fits the Trigger Lock Career Criminal Criteria and if so notify the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (A.T.F.) of the U.S. Treasury Department. D. If there are co-defendants, the investigator(s) will thoroughly investigate their involvement and determine if probable cause exists to apprehend the suspect(s). E. If the suspect indicates involvement in other crimes in other jurisdictions, the investigator(s) will notify the proper law enforcement agency. F. Based on individual circumstances, investigator(s) may determine that the suspect can be used in the future as a confidential informant. Applicable guidelines concerning the use of confidential informants will be in accordance with SOP. G. When necessary, a search warrant may be needed, or a lawfully obtained consent to search, to legally recover items of evidentiary value or stolen property. H. Every effort will be made to return stolen property to the rightful owner. A. On those cases assigned to an investigator, victims of reported crimes will be contacted informing them of the status of the case within 5 working days. B. Notification will be made when any of the following occur: 1. An arrest has been made; or Page 4 of 5 GULF STREAM POLICE DEPARTMENT -Criminal Investigations SOP# 18.01 2. Property has been recovered. C. This notification may be done in person, by telephone, or by mail. A supplement report will be written to indicate the date and the time the notification was attempted or made and the name of the person notified. D. The investigator(s) supplemental report will indicate the disposition and status of any property or evidence in the custody of the Department. E. The Evidence Custodian will be notified in the form of a copy of the State Attorney's Office disposition letter once a case is disposed of so proper evidence disposal can be accomplished. X. CASE FILES: A. The types of records to be maintained by investigators will include preliminary investigation reports, statements, supplemental reports, field interrogation cards and any other information pertaining to the assigned case. Original case documents will be filed with the Administrative/Records Division and investigations will operate off of copies. B. Accessibility to the investigator's case files will be authorized by the supervisor for the officers with the need to know or for those who may benefit from such case files. Original reports will be available through the Administrative/Records Division. C. Each officer will control and maintain his or her case files for all open assigned cases. D. Cases will be designated as closed by arrest, exceptionally cleared, inactive, or unfounded and all supplemental reports will be forwarded to the Administrative/Records Division via the appropriate supervisor. E. The officer's supervisor may review a officer's case file when the investigator is unavailable. Original issue: 07/01/07 F. Physical evidence and the original Evidence/Property Card will be maintained by the Evidence Custodian. G. The purging of original case files, supplements and pertinent information will be in accordance with applicable existing state law. Copies of records and copies of pertinent case documents may be maintained by the assigned detective at his or her discretion and in compliance with public record law. XI. CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS INVOLVING MEMBERS XII. A. When a criminal investigation, within the Town of Gulf Stream involves a member as a suspect or when a member is developed as a suspect, the criminal investigation will be conducted by another agency. 1. Officer(s) will respond and take necessary action to prevent injury or property damage. This may include arrest of a member. 2. The supervisor will be notified and respond to the scene. 3. The Chief of Police has designated that the Palm Beach Sheriffs Office will handle criminal investigations involving members. 4. The department may conduct an administrative investigation of any criminal incident involving a member SOP # 2.03 Arrest Procedures. SOP # 4.01 Use of Force. SOP # 17.04 Supervisor Notification. SOP # 18.02 Informants. SOP # 18.04 Search Warrants. SOP # 35.01 Crime Scene Investigation and Evidence Collection. SOP # 36.01 Property and Evidence Management. FSS Chapter 119, Public Record Garrett J. Ward, Chief of Police Page 5 of 5 GULF STREAM POLICE DEPARTMENT -Crime Scene Investigation and Evidence Collection SOP # 35.01 CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION AND EVIDENCE COLLECTION EFFECTIVE: 07/01/07 I. POLICY: The department has established guidelines for crime scene investigation, evidence collection, record keeping, chain of custody and submission of evidence for laboratory analysis. II. DEFINITION A. Crime Scene - The location where the crime occurred or where indications of the crime exist. It encompasses the area where the crime was committed and any portion of the surrounding area which the suspect or victim passed over or through an route to or going away from the scene of the crime. B. Chain of Custody - The written record of all individuals who have maintained unbroken control and/or custody of evidence and property. Ill. COLLECTING AND MARKING PHYSICAL EVIDENCE: A. The first officer arriving at the scene of a crime will take immediate steps to protect and preserve the scene from contamination. The officer will request additional members to accomplish this task, if necessary. B. Members will preserve the condition of evidence during and after collection. 1. All nonessential persons, including police officers, will be cleared from the scene. Nonessential persons will not be allowed to enter the crime scene. 2. Appropriate personal protection equipment (i.e. glove, shoe covers, jump suits, eye protection, etc.) will be wom by members collecting evidence at a scene where blood and body fluids are present. a. Equipment will be changed when necessary to prevent cross - contamination of evidence. 3. Members will use a systematic approach while collecting evidence. 4. When possible and/or necessary, crime scenes will be video taped, photographed, measured, and sketched, before anything is moved. a. At major crime scenes, an item will be recorded noting the condition, location, date, time of collection, and who collected the item. C. Evidence will be collected concurrent with its discovery or as soon as possible thereafter to prevent contamination. D. Permanent and distinctive marks of identification will be placed directly on the item, (I. D. Numbers or initials) if it can be done without damage to the item or its evidentiary value. 1. If the item cannot or should not be marked for identification (hair, paint chips, stains, projectiles, items submitted for latent print processing, etc.) it will be placed and sealed in an appropriate container and the container's label and/or seal will be marked for identification. E. All members will collect and package evidentiary material so its original condition is maintained. Every effort will be made to collect and package as complete a sampling of evidentiary material as possible. 1. Similar items found at different locations at the crime scene will be placed in separate containers, to eliminate cross contamination. F. Evidence will be stored in secured custody as required by the Property and Evidence procedure. G. Evidence will be collected and submitted to the laboratory for analysis according to guidelines established in the F.D.L.E. Crime Laboratory Evidence Submission Manual or in conformance with the receiving agency's particular requirements. 1. All fluids will be packaged individually to prevent leakage and cross contamination during handling, storage, and transport. 2. The perishable samples will be preserved and delivered to the laboratory and/or refrigerated storage in a timely manner. H. Firearms: 1. Firearms - Before handling a firearm, the following should be noted: Position of the hammer, position of the slide mechanism (automatic), and position of the safety. Pagel of 4 GULF STREAM POLICE DEPARTMENT -Crime Scene Investigation and Evidence Collection SOP # 35.01 When handling is required to determine the firearm's condition, it should be picked up by the edge of the trigger guard or textured finish of the handle, which will not ordinarily retain an identifiable print. The make, model, serial number, caliber, and other descriptive information should be recorded. 2. When sending firearms to a crime laboratory, the firearm will be unloaded before packaging, unless otherwise directed by the receiving crime laboratory. When unloading a firearm, the following should be noted: condition of ammunition beneath the firing pin; position of fired/unfired ammunition; number of rounds left in the magazine, and whether or not a round was in the chamber. 3. Damaged or rusty weapons should be handled with extreme caution. When a gun cannot be checked or unloaded, it should be hand delivered to the crime laboratory in an evidence container clearly marked "Caution -Loaded Firearm." No attempt should be made in the field to clean or dry a firearm taken into evidence. 4. In major cases, when necessary, fingerprint equipment, i.e., dusting powder and tape, may be used to lift the serial number from a weapon in order to eliminate the possibility of error if the number was only hand recorded. 5. An evidentiary firearm should not be cleaned. Blood and other substances adhering to the gun should be left intact for laboratory examination. 6. When firearms and bullet casings are retained as evidence and require ballistics, fingerprint or examination for trace evidence or marks, members will not mark the firearm. The firearm will be tagged or bagged. The markings may detract from the evidentiary value of the firearm. 7. Firearms will be submitted into evidence or turned over to an investigator per Property and Evidence procedure. IV. CRIME SCENE PROCESSING: A. Investigators will be primarily responsible for the collection of evidence and processing of all major crime scenes. 1. The on-call supervisor is available on a 24- hours basis to process crime scenes and traffic crash scenes. 2. Supervisors may request assistance to process crime scenes from another agency that has specialty equipment or training. The Chief of Police has designated the Palm Beach County Sherifrs Office to process all major crime scenes. A. Police officers and sergeants with adequate training are authorized to conduct fingerprint and related crime scene processing in other investigations such as: 1. Attempted or minor burglaries to autos, residences and businesses; 2. Stolen and recovered vehicles; 3. Minor theft investigation; or 4. Other investigations as deemed appropriate by the supervisor. B. Latent fingerprints will be developed and removed from the surface(s) of items with department issued equipment, i.e., dusting powders, brushes, fingerprint tape, fingerprint cards, etc. 1. No attempt should be made to brush or apply powder to prints in dust, obviously greasy prints, or bloody prints, as this may destroy them. Such prints should be photographed. 2. Wet objects to be processed for fingerprints should be allowed to air dry before processing, i.e., beer cans, glass and automobiles wet with rain or condensation. Lamps or other artificial heating should not be used. 3. A Supervisor should be contacted for assistance with any specialized processing. E. Whenever latent prints are removed from an item and placed on a latent fingerprint card, the card will contain the following information: 1. The member's name and ID #, date, Page 2 of 4 GULF STREAM POLICE DEPARTMENT -Crime Scene Investigation and Evidence Collection SOP # 35.01 case number, brief diagram or explanation of the source of print, and the direction of the print in relation to the surface. F. Items believed to contain latent fingerprint evidence, such as paper, cardboard, unpainted wood, or other absorbent surfaces should be carefully handled and transported for chemical processing. G. Crime Scene Photography: 1. The process of evidence collection should be supported by crime scene photography whenever possible. Crime scene photographs should represent a field of vision and perspective as close to actual scale as possible. Should unusual camera positions, lighting conditions, and camera settings be required, the photographer should note them as each photograph is taken. 2. A scale should be used and included in the field of view when the objects photographed cannot be physically removed or will dissipate over time (i.e., tool marks, blood splatter, fluorescent Luminal, etc.) or when size is a crucial factor. A photographic record log should be kept on major crime scenes (i.e., murder, sexual battery, etc.) or when appropriate and/or necessary. 3. All members assigned to process the scene of a serious crime against a person(s) or property will photograph and/or collect all available physical evidence. If photographs are not taken or physical evidence is not recovered, the investigator will prepare a report stating the reasons why. 4. Officers should only photograph the following, crime scenes, traffic crashes, vandalism/graffiti or any calls, where no other processing is required. 5. Battery victims with injuries and like occurrences, where no arrests are likely and no suspects exist, or their injuries have been covered with bandages, and lacking any other extenuating circumstances, do not require photographs. H. The information identification form, card or sheet of paper will be photographed first before photographing evidence to identify the series of exposures. 1. It will include the case #, type of crime and officer ID#. 2. The same procedures will apply if video graphs are taken. V. CHAIN OF CUSTODY: A. All property and evidence collected or obtained by department personnel will be entered in the property control system accompanied by a property/evidence receipt except for motor vehicles, vessels and airplanes, which require a Vehicle Storage Receipt (V.S.R.). 1. The property/evidence receipt (henceforth referred to as the property receipt) will be completed with all pertinent information including, but not limited to, the reason for submission, type of offenses, case number, date, arrestee's name, location found, etc. B. A record of the chain of custody and records reflecting the status of all property and/or evidence by the department is recorded on the bottom of the property receipt in the "Chain of Possession and/or Analysis Results" section. The record will reflect: 1. The date, time, and method of transfer; 2. The receiving person's name and position; 3. Reason for the transfer; 4. If the evidence submitted to an outside laboratory for analysis; a. The name, location of the laboratory, synopsis of the event, and examinations desired; b. The date and time of receipt in the laboratory, and; c. The name and signature of the person in the laboratory receiving the evidence; and d. Copies of any reports, receipts or forms submitted or completed by the outside lab will be retained in the department case file. Page 3 of 4 GULF STREAM POLICE DEPARTMENT -Crime Scene Investigation and Evidence Collection SOP # 35.01 C. These chain of custody records are maintained in the Property and Evidence Section files. D. Examination or testing will include: 1. Name of the officer last having custody. 2. Date and time of submission or mailing and method used for transmission. a. When hand delivered to a local laboratory, the name of the receiving person will be obtained and noted in the record. b. Evidence mailed or shipped will always be sent by registered mail, return receipt requested. c. If mailed, the transmittal letter will request the date and time of receipt by Original issue: 07/01/07 the laboratory, and the name and signature of the person in the laboratory receiving the evidence. d. The transmittal letter will include the name of the person in charge of the investigation and the name of the person to receive the laboratory analysis report. e. When evidence is submitted to an outside laboratory, the transmittal letter will include a specific request for written results of the examination(s). VI. REFERENCE: SOP # 36.01 Property and Evidence Management. Garrett J. Ward, Chief of Police Page 4 of 4