Every day, evidence rooms are flooded with hundreds of items. Although DNA sampling often steals the headlines, crime scene evidence comes in all shapes and sizes. This diversity means evidence teams need adaptable storage solutions with shelves that can handle different weights.
Evidence storage can be a frustrating field. According to the International Association of Property and Evidence (IAPE), “only one percent of evidence stored will be presented in court.” Yet public safety professionals must protect and preserve items in evidence over the long term.
The standards for admissible evidence are high. Before a physical object can be shown to a judge or jury, it must first meet the following criteria:
This means that the folks working in the evidence room, regardless of the size of their team or available storage space, are constantly dealing with challenges. They have to accept evidence around the clock from various sources, catalog it, and keep track of anything leaving the evidence room.
Along with storing DNA and biological evidence, the evidence room must keep a secure chain of custody for all sorts of items, whether it's drugs, jewelry, lawn tractors, or even washing machines. This wide range of items means they need storage with a suitable shelving weight capacity that can handle different weights, lengths, and depths.
Storing or viewing a scarf or necklace is usually straightforward, but finding space for bigger, heavier items can be a real challenge. Since space is often tight in evidence storage, public safety agencies need to choose long-term solutions that can handle bulky, oddly shaped items and have strong shelves to support them.
There are many ways to address storage issues in the public safety sector. We’ve implemented solutions with:
The Whitehall Division of Police CPD in Ohio had a small evidence room, just 371 square feet, that needed some serious optimization. Patterson Pope stepped in with a smart solution, using high-density mobile shelving to make the most of the vertical space.
They also designed a special refrigerator locker and drying cabinet for DNA and biological samples and added pass-thru evidence lockers. This new setup made handling, storing, tracking, and retrieving evidence much more efficient, while enhancing overall productivity.
The evidence room at Knox County Criminal Court is a great example of the variety of items that need to be stored. Clerk Mike Hammond wanted to make the most of a 468-square-foot space that has had to hold everything from bicycles and doors to bed frames and other furniture.
"We took the time to get it right, and it's made a big difference," said Hammond in Tennessee. "We took this step to not only make things better today but to make us effective for 10, 15, even 30 years down the road."
When you're planning storage for your evidence room, it's important to think about a few key things alongside item weight and sizes:
Once you have these answers, you can start looking at the materials and construction of your storage system. For example, wire cages might work better for some applications, but wide-span shelving could be a better fit for others.
Besides considering the space you have and the evidence you intend to store, make sure to check the shelving weight capacity provided by the manufacturer. This will help determine if you need to anchor the shelves to the floor or wall. Stability is crucial, especially if you're in an area prone to earthquakes.
Proper evidence storage is crucial. Sometimes, it's even a matter of life or death. However, the experts who work with evidence often limited space and tight budgets while trying to find the best way to organize and secure items like evidence and firearms.
Patterson Pope's expert design team can help make your storage more efficient. Reach out to one of our consultants today, and we'll help you rethink your space so you can focus on the hard work of protecting and serving.