Tips for Law Enforcement

• When Submitting a Service Request Form or an Evidence Custody Form
  The case agent or officer should be as concise and thorough as possible. These forms are used to make decisions about the request, therefore, any vague or ambiguous terminology may make it more difficult to interpret or understand what services are needed. As a result, this could slow down the processing of the request.

• Turning On or Accessing a Computer
  Indicate on the Service Request Form, if you or anyone else in the chain of custody attempted to turn on or access the computer prior to submitting it to the SVRCFL. This is very important information for the Examiners to have.

• Search Warrants
  If a service request is pursuant to a search warrant, a copy of the warrant must be included with the Service Request form. Likewise, if the service request is a result of a consensual search, a copy of the agency's “consent for search” form must be included. Failure to include this documentation will more than likely cause a delay in processing the request.

• Handling Sensitive Equipment
  Always use extreme caution or take precautionary measures such as grounding the static electricity before touching any of the internal components of the computer or handling sensitive computer equipment. For example, if the internal workings of a computer are exposed, the equipment could be damaged by a buildup of static electricity that is held by the human body. (Walking across a rug can produce a static electricity voltage of up to 12,000 volts.) The hard drive is especially susceptible to static electricity, even if it is exposed to a small amount of voltage, while a microchip can be damaged with as little as 500 volts of static electricity. If you’re unsure about how to handle the equipment, then it is best to defer to a professional.

• Examination Best Practices FAQ Sheet
  (File information: ExaminationBestPractices.doc; 453 KB; Last Modified: 04/21/05)