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.
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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,
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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.
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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
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