How to Be Police Evidence Custodian - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Apr 3, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

The role of the Evidence Custodian in a Police Department is to maintain the chain of custody of evidence collected at crime scenes. This is an essential part of criminal investigations, as it ensures that evidence is not lost, tampered with, or contaminated before it is presented in court. The custodian is responsible for documenting the chain of custody, which includes the date and time of the collection, the name of the officer who collected the evidence, and any other people who may have handled it.

Furthermore, they must ensure that evidence is stored in a secure location, such as a locked room or vault, which has limited access. Properly documenting and securing evidence not only ensures that it is presented in court, but it also helps to protect the integrity of the investigation as a whole.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a high school diploma or GED. Most police evidence custodians have at least a high school degree, and some may require a college degree.
Complete an accredited law enforcement program. This will prepare you for the duties of a police evidence custodian and teach you the basics of evidence collection and storage.
Acquire experience in law enforcement. Many police departments prefer hiring those who have prior experience in law enforcement, such as police officers, detectives or crime scene investigators.
Pass a background check. Most police departments require all applicants to pass a background check and drug test before they can be hired as a police evidence custodian.
Complete on-the-job training. Many police departments offer on-the-job training for their evidence custodians to ensure they are competent in their duties.
Obtain certification from a recognized organization. Organizations, such as the International Association for Property and Evidence, offer certification programs for police evidence custodians.

Staying ahead and efficient as an evidence custodian in a police department requires a combination of knowledge, dedication, and organization. Knowledge of the laws and regulations surrounding evidence collection and preservation, as well as a thorough understanding of the departments procedures and protocols, is essential to ensuring that evidence is handled correctly. Dedication to the job means committing to staying on top of any new information or updates related to evidence collection processes.

organization is key in maintaining the necessary records, forms, and chain of custody documents required to establish a case in court. With a combination of these three elements, an evidence custodian can ensure that the evidence they handle is protected and properly collected, all while staying ahead and efficient.

You may want to check Police Recruiter, Police Records Clerk, and Drug Enforcement POLICE Officer for alternative.

Job Description

Maintain and secure evidence in accordance with departmental policies and procedures
Ensure chain of custody of all evidence and property
Log in, store and maintain evidence and property
Prepare evidence and property for release or court
Track and report evidence and property
Photograph and document evidence
Process and analyze digital evidence
Prepare reports and present findings to investigators
Conduct inventory of evidence and property
Testify in court as needed

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of evidence collection and preservation guidelines.
Ability to adhere to proper chain of custody protocols.
Ability to properly document evidence and records.
Proficiency in using computer software and databases to store, organize, and report on evidence.
Knowledge of the laws, regulations, and procedures related to the handling and storage of evidence.
Ability to maintain a secure storage facility and ensure controlled access to all evidence.
Ability to recognize and respond to potential threats to evidence integrity.
Ability to communicate effectively with other personnel, including law enforcement officers and other custodians of evidence.
Ability to follow all safety protocols when working with potentially hazardous evidence.
Ability to lift and transport heavy objects such as evidence containers, bags, and boxes.

The most important skill for a Police Evidence Custodian to have is attention to detail. Evidence custodians are responsible for the safekeeping, storage, and retrieval of evidence, which can have major implications for a criminal case. An evidence custodian must be able to accurately document and track evidence in order to ensure it is correctly catalogued and stored.

they must be able to quickly and efficiently locate and retrieve evidence when it is needed by a court or investigating officer. Attention to detail is essential for police evidence custodians because failure to do so could result in missing or inaccurate evidence, which could ultimately lead to a suspect being wrongfully convicted or acquitted. Furthermore, police departments and officers could be accused of negligence or misconduct if an evidence custodian fails to properly secure or maintain evidence.

Therefore, an attention to detail is paramount for any police evidence custodian.

Gang Enforcement POLICE Officer, Undercover POLICE Officer, and Police Automated Data Systems Manager are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in handling and storing evidence?
How would you ensure the security of evidence materials?
What methods do you use to keep a detailed inventory of evidence?
How do you properly document and label evidence?
How do you respond to requests from the legal community for evidence?
What protocols would you use for maintaining chain of custody for evidence?
How would you handle the destruction of evidence according to established procedures?
How do you keep records secure and confidential?
What techniques have you used to ensure proper documentation of evidence?
How have you handled difficult situations while working with other law enforcement personnel?

Common Tools in Industry

Chain of Custody Form. A form used to track and document the transfer of evidence from one person to another. (Eg: The Evidence Custodian signs and dates the form to document the transfer of a weapon from an officer to the Evidence Room. )
Evidence Log. A record of all evidence collected and stored in the Evidence Room. (Eg: The Evidence Custodian records and updates the Evidence Log with the type, serial number, and chain of custody information for each item. )
Security Protocols. Guidelines and procedures for maintaining the security of evidence and preventing unauthorized access. (Eg: The Evidence Custodian ensures that all security protocols are followed when handling evidence, such as wearing gloves, using a lockable cabinet, and logging all access to the Evidence Room. )
Documentation System. A system to store records related to evidence, such as chain of custody forms, receipts, and photographs. (Eg: The Evidence Custodian ensures that all evidence is documented and stored in the Documentation System for easy retrieval. )
Barcoding System. A system used to assign barcodes to evidence for tracking and identification purposes. (Eg: The Evidence Custodian scans items into the Barcoding System to assign them a unique barcode, which is used to track their movement and location in the Evidence Room. )

Professional Organizations to Know

International Association of Property and Evidence (IAPE)
International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
National Association for Property and Evidence (NAPE)
International Association of Evidence Management Professionals (IAEMP)
American Society of Evidence Management (ASEM)
International Association of Evidence Specialists (IAES)
Association for Crime Scene Reconstruction (ACSR)
National Institute for Evidence Management (NIEM)
International Association of Forensic Sciences (IAFS)
International Association for Identification (IAI)

We also have Mounted POLICE Officer, Juvenile Detention POLICE Officer, and Police Homeland Security Officer jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Evidence. Any physical object, document, or other item relevant to a criminal case which can be used to prove the facts of the case.
Chain of Custody. The process of documenting the handling and control of evidence from its collection to its ultimate disposal.
Evidence Log. A document that records all actions taken with respect to the handling and control of evidence.
Evidence Custodian. An individual responsible for the receipt, handling, storage, and disposal of evidence.
Evidence Room. A secure area in which evidence is stored and maintained.
Evidence Security. Procedures used to ensure the security and integrity of evidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is responsible for managing and safeguarding evidence collected by the police?

The Police Evidence Custodian is responsible for managing and safeguarding evidence collected by the police.

What types of evidence are typically collected by the Police Evidence Custodian?

The Police Evidence Custodian typically collects physical evidence such as weapons, drugs, documents, clothing, and other items related to a criminal investigation.

How long must evidence be stored by the Police Evidence Custodian?

Evidence collected by the Police Evidence Custodian must be stored for a minimum of five years.

How is evidence stored by the Police Evidence Custodian?

Evidence is stored in a secure, climate-controlled environment and can only be accessed by authorized personnel.

What is the purpose of the Police Evidence Custodian?

The purpose of the Police Evidence Custodian is to ensure that all evidence collected is properly managed and safeguarded, and that all evidence is available for use in a court of law, if necessary.

Web Resources

Police Department - Property and Evidence police.ucdavis.edu
Police Records Custodian & Quartermaster (15663) careers.american.edu
Evidence Rule 803(8) and the Admissibility of Police Reports nccriminallaw.sog.unc.edu