Evidence Management – Chain of Custody and a Rogue Police Officer
September 18, 2019
The term “chain of custody” refers to the system of evidence handling and tracking during the investigation of a case. Proving that an item of evidence has been properly handled through an unbroken chain of custody is required for it to be legally considered as evidence in court. But sometimes, overworked and underpaid officers go rogue. Why? Because of the time-consuming and cumbersome pile of paperwork that’s involved in the old way of tracking evidence.
Take the case of an Arizona police officer, Tony Trow, who knowingly botched 10 cases – including murder and rape – by keeping evidence in his garage and failing to write reports. Included in the evidence was a report for a murder case, of 19-year-old murder victim Daron Gibson, that Trow put off for five years; as reported by CBS affiliate KPHO.
The internal investigation revealed that, for 8 years, Trow stored evidence from five cases in his garage to hide his unfinished work. The evidence reportedly included case notes, crime scene photos and even original recordings of interviews. The report from the criminal investigation said those evidence items had been tossed together in cardboard boxes. The report also showed Trow didn’t bother to turn in the rape kit of a 17-year-old.
The family of a murder victim, Daron Gibson, says throughout the years – before the internal investigation took place – they stayed in contact through email with officer Trow. In one of those emails obtained by KPHO, Trow stated, “Neither I nor the Tempe Police Department have given up on this investigation in any way. In fact, I have spent a lot of time on this case often at the expense of time in working other cases.”
In response, the murder victim’s mother, Chyendall Gibson, said, “He wrote that to me while evidence sat in his garage!” The Gibsons told KPHO that the Tempe Police Department never discussed the fact that their son’s case had been botched.
Related Article: EVIDENCE MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE VERSUS PEN AND PAPER
While we, at Tracker Products, certainly don’t condone this type of misconduct, we understand that without a digital tracking system – that’s effective and easy to use – there’s simply no way to know if physical evidence has been mishandled. While the fault, in this case, lands squarely on the shoulders of the officer, we would also like to argue that the problem is much bigger than just one man, or even one police department, it’s antiquated tracking systems and the lack of a strong chain of custody that fails victims.
If Police Departments have a well-trained evidence custodian, and a digital tracking system that proves a proper chain of custody exists, it would be next to impossible to get away with this type of gross misconduct.
Accountability of evidence is critical for the effective prosecution of criminal cases, but evidence management doesn’t end with a list of the evidence. It’s important that your system provides easy access to those who need it while denying access to those who don’t. With Tracker Products, all stakeholders can access and view the files they need – 24/7/365, from anywhere in the world – including the other evidence associated with the case.
Think about it… if the evidence is being tracked and is visible to evidence custodians, officers, investigators, crime labs and lab technicians, prosecuting and defense attorneys, it’s not going to end up in someone’s garage. A digital tracking system ensures that the chain of custody comes transparent; holding all stakeholders accountable for their involvement.
You may find yourself saying, that type of misconduct would never happen in our department. You’re probably right, that’s why the story made the news. That type of thing rarely happens. But, do you know what does happen on a regular basis? Evidence is lost. Yes, it’s probably still in the storage facility… somewhere. Nearly every day, we hear stories about original evidence that’s suddenly gone missing.
See Related Article: IF YOUR EVIDENCE WAREHOUSE COULD TALK
In short, you can protect the integrity of your chain of custody by implementing evidence management software. Digital records of evidence allow you to quickly search and find what you need, but it’s much more than just barcodes and inventory control. Tracker Products’ evidence tracking software, called SAFE, is end-to-end chain of custody software for physical and electronic evidence, resolving each of the critical issues facing evidence management.
Do you need a better tracking system for managing evidence, collections, assets, legal records, or other sensitive information? We can help you get back on track. To learn more about Tracker Products, Contact Us Here!
Or, if you’re interested in Evidence Management Training Classes, Discover EMI Here!
Frequently Asked Questions
- What information should be tracked in the chain of custody?
Chain of custody information should include the date and time of transfer of evidence, the name of the person transferring the evidence, a description of the evidence, and any special instructions for handling or storing the evidence. It should also include information about who received the evidence and their contact information.
- What is a forensic technician?
A forensics technician (also known as a forensic analyst or forensic expert) is responsible for collecting, preserving, and analyzing evidence from crime scenes. They are trained to identify and collect physical evidence such as fingerprints, blood samples, and other trace materials. They collect digital evidence as well by documenting the scene and taking photographs of the evidence. The technician then prepares a report with an analysis of samples that are later used in court proceedings.
- What are the best ways to track evidence?
The best way to track evidence is to use an evidence management software system. This type of system allows you to easily track and manage all of your evidence, from collection to disposition. With digital records of your physical and digital evidence, you’ll be able to quickly find what you need, and as well as generate reports for court proceedings.
- What are the benefits of having a chain of custody?
The importance of an effective chain of custody can’t be overstated. It is essential for maintaining the integrity of a piece of evidence and ensuring that it is not tampered with or contaminated. An adequate chain of custody must help to ensure all evidence is properly documented and tracked from the time it is collected until it is presented in court. Besides that, having a chain of custody helps to protect against any legal challenges that may arise during court proceedings.
- What is the legal basis for DNA samples?
The legal basis for DNA samples is the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution, which protects citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures. In order to obtain a DNA sample, law enforcement must have probable cause or a warrant. Additionally, the sample must be collected in a manner that ensures its integrity and accuracy.
