What precaution must always be taken when handling biological evidence?

When handling biological evidence, it is critical to always wear gloves to protect both the evidence and the individual handling it. Wearing gloves minimizes the risk of contamination, which could compromise the integrity of the evidence. Biological samples are often susceptible to contamination from skin cells, oils, sweat, and other materials that can affect forensic analysis and the reliability of conclusions drawn from the evidence.

Additionally, gloves help safeguard the handler from potential exposure to pathogens that may be present in biological materials, such as blood or bodily fluids. This is essential not only for the safety of the officer or technician but also for maintaining the chain of custody and the evidentiary value of the biological samples.

Other options, like sterilizing the evidence or relying solely on lab technicians to handle it, do not fully address the necessity of personal protective equipment during initial handling. Similarly, storing evidence in an open container could expose it to contamination and degrade its condition, which goes against best practices in evidence handling.