What is the best practice for handling evidence related to a crime?

Handling evidence properly is critical for maintaining its integrity and ensuring that it can be utilized effectively in a legal context. The best practice involves placing evidence in approved containers to protect it from contamination, degradation, or loss. Approved containers are specifically designed for various types of evidence and ensure that the evidence is preserved in its original condition. This method also aids in the chain of custody, which is vital for establishing the reliability and admissibility of the evidence in court.

Using improper containers or leaving evidence exposed can lead to contamination or compromise, which may result in evidence being deemed inadmissible. Therefore, by placing evidence in approved containers, law enforcement personnel safeguard the evidence's integrity, thereby bolstering the prosecution's case.