395

Evidence

Management

sCott hahn

Contents

17.1 Introduction 395
17.2 Preparation 396
17.3 Approach the Scene 3 96
17.4 Secure and Protect the Scene 3 96
17.5 Initiate a Preliminary Survey 3 97
17.6 Evaluate the Odontological Evidence Possibilities 3 98
17.7 Prepare a Narrative Description 3 98
17.8 Depict the Scene Photographically 3 99
17.8.1 Photography Basics 3 99
17.9 Prepare a Diagram/Sketch 399
17.10 Conduct a Detailed Search for Forensic Dental Evidence 402
17.11 Record and Collect the Odontological Evidence 402
17.12 Conduct a Final Survey 4 03
17.13 Release the Scene 4 04
17.14 Summary 404

17.1 Introduction

Evidence management is perhaps the single most overlooked forensic require-
ment by odontologists pursuing a case. Failure to comply with appropriate
evidence management procedures can lead to significant adverse results
during litigation. It is, therefore, incumbent upon all forensic dentists to
become knowledgeable in evidence handling, not only for the ultimate court-
room success, but also for the profession as a whole. This knowledge base
can be established via the clear and concise evidence management guidelines
presented in this chapter.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation Evidence Response Teams (ERTs)
are charged with responding to crime scenes and managing all aspects of
evidence collection from those scenes. Evidence management protocols
for forensic dentists can be directly derived from these well-established,
courtroom-tested FBI ERT evidence handling procedures with only minor

17