FORENSIC SCIENCE

1
FORENSIC SCIENCE CRIME SCENE SAFETY
2
F.Y.I.

• The most common way for crime-scene personnel to
  become exposed to infectious blood borne
  pathogens, is through injuries involving sharps
  (needles, knives, etc.).
• Forensic investigators should never enter an
  unsecured crime scene.
• Forensic investigators must always stay alert to
  impending dangers (guns, knives, needles, people,
  chemicals, stairs, unlit areas, animals,
  vehicles, etc.).
• Personal safety is top priority!

3

• The International Association for Identification
  Safety Committee has proposed the following
  guidelines to protect crime-scene personnel at
  crime scenes containing potentially infectious
  material

4
1. At all crime scenes, it is recommended that
personnel wear a minimum of

• Gloves (double gloving recommended)
• Protective shoe covers (Tyvek-type)
• Liquid repellent coveralls (Tyvek or Kleengard)

5
2. When potentially infectious dust or mist may
be encountered due to collection via scraping,
folding, preservation of garments, or application
of aerosol chemicals

• Particle mask/respirator
• Goggles or face shield

6
3. When processing and collecting evidence,
personnel should be alert to

• Sharp objects
• Knives
• Hypodermic syringes
• Razor blades
• Biohazard labels should be utilized when placing
  specimens in their appropriate evidence container

7
4. When recovering sharp objects as evidence

• Place items in appropriate container and label
  properly

8

• 5. When latent print powder techniques are used
  in or around areas contaminated with blood, a
  specific brush should be designated so that it
  can be decontaminated or disposed of after
  processing is complete.

9

• 6. If latents (fingerprints, impressions, etc.)
  are developed in or around blood contaminated
  areas, they preferably should be photographed, or
  lifted and placed in a sealed plastic bag. The
  sealed bag should be affixed with the appropriate
  biohazard label.

10

• 7. Evidence collected for transport should be
  packaged to maintain its integrity and to prevent
  contamination of personnel or personal items.
  Evidence contaminated with wet blood should be
  placed first in a paper bag and then temporarily
  stored in a red biohazard bag for immediate
  transport to an appropriate drying facility.

11
8. When potentially infectious materials are
present at a crime scene, personnel should
maintain a red biohazard plastic bag for disposal
of

• On departure from the scene, the biohazard bag
  must be taped shut and transported to an approved
  biohazardous waste pick-up site.

• Contaminated gloves
• Clothing
• Masks
• Pencils
• Wrapping paper

12

• 9. Note taking should be done while wearing
  uncontaminated gloves to avoid contamination of
  pens, pencils, notebook, paper, etc. Whenever
  pens or markers are used while marking and
  packaging contaminated evidence, they should be
  designated for proper disposal in a red biohazard
  bag prior to vacating the crime scene.

13

• 10. In the event the PPE becomes soiled or torn,
  it must be removed immediately. Personnel must
  then disinfect or decontaminate the potentially
  contaminated body area using a recommended
  solution, such as 10 bleach solution, or an
  antimicrobial soap or towelette. Once cleansing
  is completed, the area must be covered with
  clean, replacement protective equipment. On
  departure from the scene, this procedure should
  be repeated on any body area where contamination
  could have occurred

14

• 11. Eating, drinking, smoking, and the
  application of makeup are prohibited at the
  immediate crime scene.

15

• 12. All non-disposable items, such as lab coats,
  towels, and personal clothing, that may be
  contaminated with potentially infectious material
  should be placed in a yellow plastic bag, labeled
  Infectious Linen, and laundered, at the expense
  of the employer, by a qualified laundry service.
  Personal clothing that may have been contaminated
  should never be taken home for cleaning.