General Order No. 83.2

Subchapter 83.2

OPERATIONS

/

GENERAL ORDER NO. 83.2

83.2.1 GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES

A. An accurate record of events that transpired at the scene of a crime in connection with the investigation is required at the time of trial. It is the responsibility of the detective who processes the scene to submit detailed reports describing the sequence of events associated with a scene investigation as related to evidence in either the incident, supplemental, or evidence collection log.

B. In addition to the inventory requirements listed in this directive, the report shall contain the following:

1. Date and time of arrival at the scene;

2. Location of the crime;

3. Name, address, telephone number, race, sex, and date of birth of victim(s), if known;

4. Name, address, telephone number, race, sex, and date of birth of suspect(s), if known;

5. Narrative of the investigator’s actions at the scene;

6. Action taken at the scene, including photographs and measurements taken; and

7. Item number.

C. If a crime scene specialist is called to the scene, the date and time of the request and the requesting deputy's name shall be added to the investigation synopsis. All information obtained by the crime scene specialist shall be documented in the incident report. If the crime scene specialist prepares his own report, a copy of it shall be attached with the case file.

D.Procedures for collection of blood, urine, and/or other bodily substances at crime scenes, or for driving while intoxicated investigations shall include but not be limited to:

1. In any investigation when the collection of blood, urine, and/or other bodily fluids as evidence is necessary, the appropriate biological specimen kit for collection shall be utilized. A physician, registered nurse, or qualified technician may withdraw blood and/or urine for the purpose of determining the alcohol and/or drug content.

a. The blood specimen shall be placed in the vacuum tubes containing an anticoagulant provided in the kit and shall be collected as soon as possible and practical; and

b. Urine specimens shall be collected in the plastic urine specimen container provided in the kit.

2. Blood and/or urine specimen containers must be sealed with tape or a label that displays the following information:

a. Name of suspect;

b. Specimen collector's initials;

c. Deputy's initials;

d. Supervisor's initials; and

e. Date, time, and incident number.

3. All samples shall be submitted in the biological specimen kit marked, sealed, tagged as appropriate, and secured in an alternate evidence/property storage area or submitted directly to the Evidence Custodian who shall store the evidence sample in the Evidence Room or alternate evidence/property storage area in accordance with General Order 84.

E.Latent Prints

1. The following general guidelines shall be followed when processing a crime scene for latent prints:

a. Latent impressions developed with fingerprint powder may be photographed on the original object. After being photographed, they shall be lifted using a hinge lifter or left in place and the object removed or variations thereof. Notation shall be made on a crime scene diagram of location where lift was made.

b. After the print is lifted, the following information shall be noted on the hinge lifter:

(1) Incident number;

(2) Date and time lifted; and

(3) Deputy's initials.

c. The lifted prints shall be attached to a completed Latent Case Submittal and Reply form (DPSSP 3743) for comparison purposes.

d. The development and lifting of latent prints shall be a shared responsibility of the Patrol and Investigations Divisions. When it is necessary to send an object to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for latent print development, a Request for Scientific Analysis form must accompany the object.

(1)The Louisiana State Police Crime Lab does not conduct latent print comparisons. The latent prints and/or photographs of developed latent prints, when obtained, are submitted directly to the latent print section of the Louisiana State Police.

(2) When requesting a comparison of latent prints with fingerprints of a known suspect, the requesting deputy shall include inked finger and palm prints and/or the fingerprint classification number of the suspect.

F. Other Items Collected as Evidence

1. Wet clothing collected as evidence shall be dried in a secure area authorized by the supervisor. The drying process shall be to suspend and air-dry the wet evidence. The use of an oven or microwave shall not be permitted to dry wet evidence/property. As soon as the evidence is dried, it shall be tagged and packaged appropriately.

2. Documents that are wet for any reason shall be handled in the same manner as wet clothing.

3. Evidence such as blood or other biological specimens, which are perishable, are to be submitted as outlined in General Orders 83.3.2 and 84.

4. All firearms submitted into evidence shall be packaged and stored separately. All firearms shall be unloaded using tie wraps to show the firearm is clear. Ammunition shall be packaged separately. All firearms shall be checked for stolen by the submitting deputy, and the NationalCrimeInformationCenter printout shall be attached to the property record. All test-fired firearms shall include the target used as evidence and tagged appropriately.

5. Drugs submitted into evidence shall be weighed and counted, as appropriate, by the submitting deputy. Each separate container of material shall be packaged appropriately.

a. The evidence tag shall list all drugs including the number of containers, weight, and/or count.

b. All drugs submitted into evidence shall be double sealed, first in a heat-sealed plastic bag, and then placed in an evidence envelope. The submitting deputy shall properly tag and log the evidence into the evidence submission logbook and place it in the evidence/property locker.

6. All currency submitted into evidence shall be counted, fanned, stapled and inserted into a heat-sealed plastic bag. The submitting deputy shall complete the currency inventory card, which shall identify the currency by denomination. The currency inventory card shall be inserted into the bag with the currency.

7. Volatile fluid of evidentiary value shall be stored in the cage located at the CriminalOperationsCenter. A maximum of one gallon shall be stored. Excess volatile fluid shall be disposed of in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency and Fire Marshal’s Office procedures for hazardous waste materials.

8. No explosives, dangerous chemicals, nuclear material, or ammunition greater than .50 caliber shall be submitted to the evidence room. The investigating deputy's supervisor shall contact the District Attorney, Fire Marshal’s Office Hazardous Material Unit, Environmental Protection Agency, and the Louisiana State Police Bomb Disposal Team or other specialized agencies when any of the above material is recovered. All such items are to be photographed and disposed of accordingly. Handling of the items shall be accomplished by the specialized agency requested at the scene.

9. Prior to submitting hypodermic needles as evidence, deputies shall protect/sheath the point of the needles. Under no circumstances will a syringe be submitted without its point being protected. Deputies shall use caution when handling needles or any other sharp/pointed evidence.

G.Stolen Vehicles

1. Generally, upon recovery, a vehicle that has been reported stolen from this parish shall be initially examined by an on duty deputy forevaluation of CID response. This examination may be conducted by the jurisdiction where the vehicle is recovered if it is outside of the parish limits.

2. The recovered vehicle should be processed for evidence at the recovery scene. If this is not practical, the recovered vehicle shall be towed, at the owner’s expense and impounded at the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Personnel and FleetOperationsCenter. The vehicle shall be processed as soon as possible.

3. If there is inclement weather and the exterior of the vehicle needs to be processed, the vehicle shall be stored in the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office maintenance shed or FleetOperationsCenter and processed there. In all cases, the vehicle shall be clearly marked as a crime scene and not be disturbed.

4. If the vehicle requires restoration of serial numbers or has altered or missing serial numbers, it shall be photographed and impounded. Additional requests for processing evidence work and laboratory examination is the responsibility of the investigating deputy.

5. Any evidence collected from the recovered vehicle shall be marked, sealed, tagged, and placed in the evidence room to maintain a chain of custody. The detective processing the recovered vehicle shall document his actions and the collected evidence on an incident report or supplemental report. Any evidence to be submitted to the crime lab shall also require completion of the Request for Scientific Analysis form.

6. The investigating deputy shall complete an incident report and add any supplemental information necessary on any vehicle recovered in this parish that was reported stolen by another jurisdiction. Disposition of the recovered vehicle shall be handled in accordance with Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office procedures.

7. Recovered vehicles that were reported stolen in this parish require supplemental information to be added to the original incident.

8. It shall be the responsibility of the deputy recovering the stolen vehicle to notify the Communications Equipment Operator of the following information:

a. Time and date of recovery;

b.Name and identification number of the deputy making the recovery;

c.Vehicle location, condition, and name of towing company; and

d. Time and date owner was notified or notification attempted.

H.Evidence Submitted for Lab Processing

1. Whenever items are submitted that are to be processed by the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab, they must be properly tagged and packaged attempting to keep like items together. Property shall not be submitted to the crime lab unless proper procedures are followed. Evidence submitted for lab processing include, but are not limited to:

a.Serology, including blood and biological fluids;

b.Trace evidence;

(1)Hair fibers; and

(2)Microscopic evidence.

c.Dangerous drugs;

d.Firearms and related items;

e.Chemistry;

(1)Harmful intoxicants;

(2)Flammable liquids (arson investigations); and

(3)Liquor.

2.Submitted evidence must have the evidence control form properly completed before submitting the evidence to the Evidence Custodian.

3.Evidence submitted for lab processing shall not be listed on the same property record with evidence or property that is not going to be submitted to the crime lab.

4.Special Considerations - Weapons, dangerous drugs, money, explosives, and hazardous materials.

a. Weapons

(1) All submitted firearms must be unloaded and the ammunition packaged separately.

(2) Weapons to be submitted to the evidence room when the Evidence Custodian is off duty or unavailable shall be placed in an evidence/property locker.

(3) All weapons shall be checked for stolen by the submitting deputy. The NationalCrimeInformationCenter printout shall be attached to the evidence control form.

b. Drugs including, but not limited to, narcotics, hallucinogens and narcotic paraphernalia shall be handled as follows:

(1) All drugs submitted shall be weighed, counted, properly packaged, and the evidence tag completed and attached to the package by the submitting deputy.

(2) Pills/capsules/tablets shall be counted, or weighed and properly packaged.

(3) If the drugs are weighed while inside a container such as a plastic bag, that fact shall be written next to the weight on the evidence control form.

(4) The evidence control form shall list all drugs, including the number of bags submitted, along with the weight and count (if made) in each bag.

(5) All drugs submitted to the evidence room shall be double sealed, first in a heat-sealed clear plastic bag and then in an evidence envelope or paper bag. After the evidence tag is attached to the outer envelope or paper bag, then the submitting deputy shall weigh this again and attach a second weight slip to the outer envelope.

(6) All drugs to be submitted into evidence during hours when the Evidence Custodian is not on duty or is unavailable shall be secured in the evidence property locker by the submitting deputy and indicated on the evidence/property submission log.

c. Money

(1) The submitting deputy shall count all monies that he has submitted.

(2) All money shall be submitted in a heat-sealed clear plastic bag. Currency inventory cards shall be completed documenting denominations and total of denominations; then inserted into the bag with the currency. The submitting deputy shall complete the evidence tag and attach the tag to the bag.

(3)Money to be submitted as evidence when the Evidence Custodian is off of duty or unavailable shall be secured in the evidence/property locker and documented on the evidence/property submission log.

d. Explosives or Hazardous Materials

(1) Volatile fluids of evidentiary value shall be stored in the evidence room. A maximum of one gallon shall be stored.

(a) The evidence tag shall indicate the total amount of fluid taken, the amount retained for evidence, and the amount disposed of.

(b) The total volume of fluid shall be photographed prior to disposal.

(c)Fireworks, railroad flares, fuses, or ammunition less than .50 caliber may be submitted. All other explosives shall be considered unsafe. Such material shall be photographed and safely disposed of.

(d)Hazardous materials such as chemicals, nuclear material, or other unsafe matter shall be photographed and disposed of safely.

(2) All non-evidentiary property submitted to the Evidence Custodian shall be handled in the same manner as evidence.

I. Inventory Procedures for Collected Evidence

1. All physical evidence collected from a crime scene by a patrol deputy or investigator shall be listed on an evidence collection log or recorded on tape. An inventory shall then be entered into evidence by properly packaging and completing an evidence control form that shall be affixed or attached to each item.

2. The inventory of collected physical evidence shall be documented on the evidence control form collection log. The submitting deputy shall complete an evidence tag for each item requiring outside agency processing by checking the appropriate box on the evidence tag. This documentation shall allow for the Evidence Custodian to request outside agency processing. The Evidence Custodian shall complete a Request for Scientific Analysis form for each item of evidence to be submitted to the crime lab. The inventory shall contain the following information:

a. Description of item (including make, model, and serial number, if any);

b. Source (from whom or location);

c. Name of deputy collecting the evidence;

d. Property record number; and

e. Name of suspect and/or owner/victim.

83.2.2PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO TAPES

A. Photography of crime scenes is the responsibility of the Investigations Division. The responding investigator shall photograph all aspects of the crime scene using digital photography equipment, digital pictures, and/or video equipment. The following situations shall require photographing:

1. Homicide;

2. Rape, abduction or kidnapping;

3. Investigation of excessive force;

1. Burglaries where loss may exceed $5000;

5. Arson or suspected arson;

6. Investigation of discharge of firearms by a deputy;

1. Aggravated batteries;

8.Domestic disturbances; and

9. Any other crime scene necessary to preserve evidence upon the request of the reporting or investigating deputy.

B. In addition to the above situations, Polaroid photographs are to be taken when immediate access to the photographs is required. They shall not be utilized as the sole source of photographic evidence. The use of Polaroid photography shall be limited to the following:

1. Photographs necessary for immediate identification of a suspect;

2. Photographs of a suspect when no arrest is imminent; and

3. Photographs of property when immediate identification is required.

C.All videotapes shall be new, with the tape-over feature disabled or the tab broken.

D.When the exact size of an item being photographed is required, a scale of reference shall be placed next to the item to add dimension and aid in development for "life-size" prints. A second photograph of the item shall be taken without the scale of reference, using the same camera settings, position and lighting in the event the court desires photographs of evidence in which nothing has been introduced into the field of view.

E. If the evidence to be photographed is a fixed object, the dimensions of that object shall be recorded to provide a scale of reference.

1. Upon completion of the photography and scene processing, the detective shall place the film in a film development request envelope and submit it to a photo lab for processing and printing. A notation that photographs were taken at the scene shall be made on the incident report. Negatives developed for printing and print contact sheets shall be examined by the detective and submitted for filing with the incident report.

1.All photographs entered into evidence shall be placed in the smallest package possible. Photographs should not be placed in a large brown paper bag, unless it is the smallest package possible to fit the photo. Polaroid’s fit perfectly in a #10 envelope.

G. Requests from complainants, legal firms, insurance companies, or outside agencies for copies of photographs taken by a detective shall be directed to the Investigations Division Commander or Records Division.

83.2.3FINGERPRINTING

Patrol deputies are provided in-service training periodically in the recovery of latent prints, photography, sketches, and detection and preservation of a crime scene. The development and lifting of latent prints is a shared responsibility between the Patrol and Investigations Divisions. Investigators shall be notified on cases where crime scenes are too large for patrol deputies to properly process. Each investigator shall be equipped with supplies necessary to recover latent prints, photograph a crime scene, and for collection and preservation of evidence.

A. Latent Prints

1. The following general guidelines shall be followed when processing a crime scene for latent prints:

1. Latent impressions developed with fingerprint powder may be photographed on the original object. After being photographed, they shall be lifted or preserved.

b. After the print is lifted, the following information shall be noted on the hinge lifter:

(1) Item number;

(2) Date and time lifted; and