Howdy Everyone!
The National Institute of Standards and Technology, in collaboration with the National Institute of Justice, is in the process of developing best practices for the management of physical evidence in our criminal justice system. In order to engage stakeholders, inform recommendations, identify knowledge gaps, and develop educational opportunities, we must hear from those who manage property and evidence directly. The Evidence Management Survey is an important tool to obtain this information and will be used to increase awareness about strengths and challenges in the evidence management industry.
If you or anyone in your organization handles physical evidence, please fill out the survey below.
Your participation in this survey is critical to shaping industry best practices. Please encourage as many people as possible from your agency or others that you are aware of that handle evidence outside of your agency to complete the survey. All those who handle or manage property and evidence are eligible to participate including members of law enforcement, public and private forensic laboratories, hospitals, forensic clinicians, courts, medical examiners/coroners, and policymakers who recommend standards, rules, and laws regarding evidence management.
Who should complete the survey?
The Evidence Management Survey is intended for property and evidence handlers across multiple disciplines and agencies, including law enforcement, courts, healthcare facilities, forensic laboratories, and coroner and medical examiner’s offices. Your input is critical whether you are an entity of one or an agency of thousands. Please help us by encouraging as many people as possible from your agency to complete the survey. All those who handle or manage property and evidence can participate at all experience levels.
What is the purpose of the survey?
The survey’s primary purpose is to obtain information regarding property and evidence management practices and the extent of evidence management issues from collection through disposition. These issues include collection, storage, transfer, and disposition practices, as well as related policies, protocols, and standard operating procedures.
Who is conducting the survey?
The NIJ is sponsoring this survey as one project among several led by NIST and NIJ in consultation with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and federal laboratories to establish evidence retention best practices as required by the 2016 Justice for All Act.
Here is a link to the survey: EVMG Website Link: https://www.nist.gov/topics/forensic-science/interdisciplinary-topics/evidence-management/evidence-management-survey
The survey is open from now until April 2. Thank you for your help!!
Stacey Mitchell, DNP, MBA, RN, SANE-A, SANE-P, DF-AFN, FAAN