If, during the handling of a piece of documentary evidence, an investigator inadvertently holds the document with bare hands and leaves fingerprints on it, the document should be destroyed and a new copy should be obtained.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The document does not necessarily need to be destroyed. Protocols should be followed to properly preserve the document and document the handling error, such as noting the evidence log and possibly taking new photographs of the document. The fingerprints can also be examined and compared against those of suspects or other individuals.

If, During the Handling of a Piece of Documentary Evidence