Evidence handling isn't what it used to be. Between new tech, tighter regulations, and shifting workloads, the way law enforcement manages and stores evidence looks a whole lot different than it did a few years ago. What used to mean filing and storage now involves digital data, cloud systems, and ever-tighter chain of custody standards. From digital files to DNA, these are the trends shaping the evidence storage world, and what they mean for every department.
Today, evidence management demands as much rigor as the investigations it supports. It's become a discipline all its own. Modern law enforcement agencies are focusing heavily on accreditation, documentation, and internationally recognized standards to maintain a secure chain of custody from intake to courtroom.
Organizations like the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), the International Association for Property and Evidence (IAPE), and the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) have all published frameworks that help departments create consistent, auditable processes for storing and securing evidence.
If certain law enforcement offices or agencies are large enough, they may institute Pass-Through Lockers to ensure added security during exchanges. These lockers give agencies a controlled way to move items between officers and technicians, without breaking the chain of custody.
Installed directly into the wall between the evidence room and the intake area, these lockers allow secure, logged exchanges while keeping both sides protected from unauthorized access.
Modern pass-through lockers go a step further, with keyless entry, audit tracking, and climate-controlled compartments for biological evidence or hazardous materials. It's a simple upgrade that adds serious peace of mind.
When storage space runs short, some agencies turn to a photograph-and-release policy — documenting evidence in detail, then releasing or disposing of the physical item under approved guidelines. The key is precision: every image must include clear identifiers, timestamps, and chain-of-custody documentation that meets accreditation standards.
This isn't a loophole; it's a legitimate practice recognized in many jurisdictions. The U.S. Department of Justice specifies that all evidence must be "photographed, copied, or recorded, or otherwise documented before it is returned or destroyed." And at the local level, the City of Clive (Iowa) states that property may be disposed of "if the seized property has been photographed and the photograph will be used as evidence in lieu of the property."
In practice, this approach is reserved for non-forensic, low-value, or bulky items, especially when supported by a robust digital evidence management system. High-resolution images, standardized metadata, and secure storage keep these digital records admissible in court while freeing up valuable square footage for evidence that must truly stay on site.
The evidence trail doesn't stop at the locker anymore. Modern law enforcement agencies are managing not just physical items, but digital ones, like video footage, photos, GPS logs, case files, and more. To keep it all straight, they're turning to digital evidence management systems (DEMS) that bring everything under one secure, searchable roof.
These systems combine barcodes, RFID tagging, and automated audit trails to strengthen the chain of custody across both physical and digital assets. When a piece of evidence moves, the system logs it instantly — who handled it, when, and why
Recent federal research and professional standards emphasize the same thing: digital evidence is only as strong as its documentation and access control. That means encryption, user authentication, and metadata tracking aren't add-ons, but the baseline for admissibility and integrity.
When the evidence room fills up, more agencies are looking beyond headquarters walls. Off-site evidence storage allows departments to relocate long-term or low-access items (like cold case materials or bulky evidence) to secure, climate-controlled warehouse spaces.
One example comes from our partners at Spacesaver, who worked with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office in Florida to design a purpose-built off-site evidence facility. The new warehouse, equipped with XTend® High-Bay Mobile Storage Systems, provided roughly 40% more usable space and helped the department maintain its CALEA accreditation.
With off-site evidence storage, agencies can free up critical space at headquarters, streamline daily operations, and maintain full chain-of-custody control with integrated audit trails and access management.
Sometimes, it takes a village.
When budgets are tight and space is limited, collaboration can be the most practical upgrade. Across the country, smaller law enforcement agencies are partnering with neighboring departments to share regional evidence facilities or even entire joint public safety buildings.
As highlighted by our partners at Spacesaver in their Joint Public Safety Facility Planning Guide, agencies from small towns to mid-sized cities are finding success by consolidating property and evidence storage, communications, and fleet maintenance under one roof.
These shared spaces can take different forms. Some operate as county-run evidence warehouses, while others use a joint-services model where multiple agencies share a facility, but maintain separate records and staff.
Legalization has reshaped how agencies handle cannabis-related evidence, and not always in predictable ways. According to the National Library of Medicine, in states where marijuana is legal, evidence rooms are seeing lighter loads as possession cases decline.
But the flip side is more complex: agencies must now navigate new protocols for retention, disposal, and hazardous-material handling related to extraction equipment, edibles, and concentrated products.
On the flip side, in states where cannabis remains illegal, agencies often face heavier burdens from trafficking and bulk-seizure evidence, often requiring off-site or high-density systems just to stay compliant with state retention laws.
DNA evidence is some of the most powerful evidence in any investigation, but it's also some of the most fragile. Proper preservation is essential to maintain sample integrity over decades.
According to federal best practices, biological evidence should be kept in temperature-controlled environments and protected from light, humidity, and contamination. Guidance from the National Institute of Justice emphasizes the use of refrigerated lockers, climate-controlled rooms, and sealed containment for long-term storage.
As more jurisdictions expand testing and backlog-clearing initiatives, evidence rooms are adapting with compact, cool storage systems that balance security and accessibility, ranging from small-scale refrigerated units to large, off-site cold storage warehouses.
Across the country, law enforcement agencies have worked to reduce the backlog of untested sexual-assault kits, some of which date back decades. Each kit represents both crucial evidence and a survivor waiting for answers.
Since 2015, more than 80,000 kits have been sent for testing through the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI), and reports suggest national totals are close to over 100,000 kits processed.
Modern storage plays a key role in that effort. Dedicated, climate-controlled evidence areas and barcoded inventory systems ensure every kit remains accounted for and properly preserved. From small town departments to statewide task forces, agencies are designing storage systems that match the gravity of the evidence they protect.
More agencies are bringing forensic analysis in-house, and for good reason. On-site crime labs and testing spaces can dramatically reduce turnaround times, improve coordination with investigators, and strengthen the chain of custody.
But with that convenience comes new responsibility: maintaining the same rigor and accreditation standards expected of independent or state-run facilities. Programs like the ANSI National Accreditation Board provide benchmarks for quality management, equipment calibration, and documentation.
Safety and sensitivity are equally critical. Evidence rooms and lab spaces must meet biosafety standards to contain pathogens, fumes, or hazardous chemicals. Public-facing areas, such as those where families may interact with staff, require design choices that prioritize dignity and privacy.
Not all evidence is safe to store on a standard shelf. Flammable liquids, biohazards, and contaminated materials all require specialized containment.
Today's evidence facilities are built with ventilated, fire-rated cabinets and secure isolation zones for items like gas cans, aerosol paints, or chemical residues. Even soft materials such as mattresses or furniture contaminated with biological or pest hazards need dedicated storage that prevents cross-contamination and protects personnel.
Agencies are increasingly aligning with OSHA hazardous-material standards, NFPA 30 flammable storage codes, and EPA containment requirements to ensure safety without breaking the chain of custody. In some cases, these materials are housed in separate, climate-controlled exterior units that maintain full security while minimizing risk to the main facility.
The growth of digital evidence has transformed how agencies capture, store, and share information. From body-worn cameras and dash-cams to surveillance footage, mobile data, and digital forensic files, law enforcement now manages more data than ever.
Federal guidance from organizations such as the Bureau of Justice Assistance and the IACP emphasizes that digital evidence systems must log every access point, preserve metadata, and document any alterations or transfers.
Even the physical tools supporting these systems are evolving. Smart locker solutions, like those used in modern workplaces, now feature charging capabilities for body-worn cameras and IT assets, allowing officers to dock, charge, and upload footage securely between shifts.
The work of preserving evidence is never static. It evolves with every new law, technology, and community need. The systems that safeguard the chain of custody, from climate-controlled rooms to cloud-based databases, are growing smarter, faster, and more adaptable than ever before.
But at the heart of it all, one thing hasn't changed: evidence storage is about trust. Every locker, shelf, and server exists to protect the integrity of the process, the people, and the pursuit of justice.
Ready to explore what's next for your agency? Contact a Patterson Pope representative to start a conversation about optimizing your evidence storage, from the physical to the digital and everything in between.