Section 5 – Guidelines on Recovery and Packaging of Exhibits

TYPE OF EXHIBIT	SAMPLING/TREATMENT	RECOMMENDED PACKAGING	PRACTICAL OPTIONS FOR CONSIDERATION
WARNING: THE HANDLING OF BODY FLUIDS CONSTITUTES A HEALTH HAZARD ALWAYS SEEK ADVICE IF UNSURE
BLOOD
A) Blood stained items originating from a pirate	If an easily removable item, e.g., knife, ashtray, bottle, etc. (see further down re: clothing), allow the item to dry completely and naturally before packaging.	Place each individual item in a separate suitable, properly sealed container, e.g., sealed strong paper bags or stout paper sacks. In the absence of sacks, cardboard boxes will suffice. Bags/sacks should be folded over twice and sealed with adhesive tape (adhesive tape or similar), boxes should also be sealed with tape.	Bags/paper sacks must not have been used previously. If no 'police issue' sacks are available, suitable sacks would be those used for paper waste disposal. If a cardboard box is used, it should be as clean as possible and lined with clean paper. Write the exhibit identification reference on the sack/box as you seal it.
	DO NOT accelerate drying.
	Make a note on exhibit seizure form if blood stain was wet when obtained.
		Clearly mark any sack or container that contains blood with 'BIOHAZARD'	Note: Plastic bags should not be used for blood stained items as they promote dampness. Nor should staplers ever be used to seal bags.
			Seek advice and guidance from Ships Doctor/Medic and/or shore authorities if required.
B) Bloodstains (from pirate(s) on immovable objects			Mark any sack or container that contains blood with 'BIOHAZARD'
1) Pools of wet blood	Can be collected using a syringe.	Blood (not syringe) to be placed into a clean, dry bottle/jar with a screw top. Syringe to be disposed of in proper 'sharps' box.	As above.
WARNING – Syringes and needles pose a serious health hazard and must be handled with extreme care
Wherever possible seek medical advice before handling
2) Partly clotted blood	Lift with a clean knife or scalpel blade.	As above.	As above.
			Keep all WET or SEMI-SOLID blood samples in a cool place. If delay likely in passing to authorities, consider deep freezing samples (away from food products). Take advice before doing so.
3) Dry blood	If practical and possible, cut away the surface containing the stain. A non stained part of the item should also be taken as a control sample.	Place each individual item (including the control sample) into a separate suitable container, e.g., paper sack, cardboard box and seal properly with adhesive tape.	Seek advice from Ships Doctor/Medic and shore authorities.
	OR		Never use staplers.
	Scrape dry blood onto a clean sheet of paper.	Fold paper carefully and seal in a labelled envelope.
FIBRES & HAIRS
Items onto which fibres may have been transferred (e.g., from pirates clothing to other clothing, bedding, weapons)	Where possible recover the whole item with the minimum of disturbance. If it cannot be packaged, cut out approximately 20 cm square of material OR pull out tufts of fibres. Otherwise, seek advice from shore authorities as to fibre sampling.	Place in an envelope sealing all seams and openings. Large items should be placed in a clean paper sack or cardboard box. If there is more than one piece then wrap each item SEPARATELY and seal effectively with adhesive tape.	Do not use staplers, seal with adhesive tape. A plastic sack could be used if the item is completely dry.
			Polythene bags (providing no dampness) or paper sacks can be used.
Rope or Twine used by pirate	Recover the whole length of rope if possible OR obtain a length at least 30 cm long. For suspicious deaths or suicide, recover the whole item.	Wrap each item separately in a polythene or paper sack and seal effectively.	Do not use staplers to seal any bag. Always use adhesive tape.
Where there is a possibility of a PHYSICAL FIT between broken or cut ends	If the rope must be cut to remove it, first clearly label the original cut or broken ends.	Protect the cut or broken ends with paper or polythene bags so that they cannot be damaged and place each individual piece of rope or twine in a separate polythene or paper sack.	As well as potential evidence re: a crime, such evidence could be of considerable value to an accident investigation or inquest re: suicide.
	Always leave knots intact.
Items recovered that may have hairs present	Recover the whole item wherever possible.	Wrap each item separately in a polythene or paper sack and ensure the bag is completely sealed.	Do not use staples to secure the bag, only adhesive tape.
CLOTHING, BEDDING AND FOOTWEAR
Bedding used by pirate(s)	Where possible and practical recover whole item, e.g., blanket used by the pirate. Mark upper and lower surfaces head and foot to establish orientation of sheets, blankets, quilts, etc.	Wrap each item separately at the recovery location if possible. Place in a stout paper sack and seal with adhesive tape.	Ensure that all recovered items are kept separate to avoid cross contamination. If a number of cabins are involved, ensure different staff recover bedding and bag and seal items at a separate location before storage.
Clothing (used or left by pirates)	Recover the whole item of clothing if used by the pirate.	As above.	As above.
Wet or damp items	Allow to dry naturally as soon as possible on a paper-lined surface.	When completely dry package as above.	Avoid risks of contamination by drying at separate locations where practical.
WARNING – See first page re: handling materials containing body fluids
Footwear	Package any footwear used by the pirate(s).	Use separate paper sacks or cardboard boxes for each item and seal securely.	Suitable boxes might be those that contained photocopier paper.
FOOTWEAR MARKS
Surface transfer marks	Where possible recover whole item, e.g., on paper(s), cardboard, glass, bedding, etc.	Place each item separately in an appropriate and clean container (e.g., cardboard box) to protect.	As above.
Surface transfer marks	If not possible to recover consider photographing placing two rulers at right angles to show size of mark.	If digital photographs taken, do not use any photo enhancement facilities. Leave for experts to improve on.	If film photography is used, package the entire film cassette.
GLASSWARE & CERAMICS
Glasses, cups mugs, etc., used by the pirate(s)	Recover whole or broken items used by the pirates.	Place any broken pieces in a polythene bag or paper envelope and place in a sturdy cardboard box. Whole items should be individually packaged. Seal the box completely with adhesive tape.	If a box or sack contains broken items that could cut or injure, please label 'CAUTION, INJURY HAZARD'.
EXPLOSIVES, FIREARMS & OTHER WEAPONS
IMPORTANT – Safety takes precedence over evidence collection. Specialist advice MUST be sought before ANY action is taken.			Seek urgent advice from shore authorities before taking action unless to do so is critical to preserving life.
IT IS DANGEROUS PRACTICE TO LIFT A FIREARM BY THE TRIGGER GUARD	Do NOT touch unless you are familiar with firearms. Seek specialist advice.	Photograph the firearm in position before any attempt is made to move it.	NEVER INSERT A PENCIL OR OTHER OBJECT INTO THE BARREL, THIS COULD DESTROY VALUABLE EVIDENCE.
	NEVER position yourself so that the gun barrel is pointing in your direction. REMEMBER a loaded gun can be discharged when being moved or simply touched.	Tie the item with string to the inner surface of a cardboard box, so that movement in the box is restricted. Seal and label the box correctly.	If it is suspected that the barrel of the firearm has been in the mouth of the victim, the muzzle (having been allowed to dry naturally) should be protected by placing an envelope loosely over it but NOT affixed with adhesive.
	IF there is a person experienced in the handling of firearms available, get that person to make the weapon safe by unloading the weapon noting the position of any cartridges present in the chamber of a revolver, in the barrel of a shotgun, etc.	If possible, photograph the position of any cartridges or bullets in the chamber/ breach/magazine before removal providing it is safe to do so in the opinion of a firearms-trained person.
		Any bullet/cartridge removed should be packed separately. Place in a dry cardboard box and secure.	Handle with great care with gloves if possible, lift by placing a gloved finger at each end touching the minimum surface possible.
		Place in cardboard box of other secure container and seal with adhesive tape.
Weapons other than firearms(e.g., knives, hammers, hatchets)	DO NOT attach any adhesive material to the blades or handles (this could destroy fingerprints or other evidence of value).	Place in cardboard box or other secure container and seal with adhesive tape.	Where there are items that could cut or injure, please label 'CAUTION, INJURY HAZARD'.
RECOVERY AND PROTECTION OF PROJECTILES
WARNING – see above re: blood and firearms	Any wounds resulting from a firearm injury should (subject to medical advice) be photographed before surgery. Wherever possible a ruler or scale should be in the photograph adjacent to the wound.	Seek advice re: packaging from shore side authorities.	As above.
		Photographs of injuries should be in colour as this will show differentiation between blood staining and blackening. Films should not be processed unless it is essential, but retained for the relevant authorities.
	Unless it is absolutely essential to do so, do not attempt to remove a bullet or air pellet that is imbedded in walls, doors, etc., as this would most likely destroy any ballistic evidential value. This should be left to forensic experts.		Wherever possible, seek advice from shore authorities before removal of area surrounding projectile.
	Photograph any projectile in situ.		Mark the area clearly without touching or damaging the scene.
MODEL, REPLICA AND BLANK FIRING FIREARMS
WARNING – see above	Treat as real until proved otherwise.	Wrap in tissue paper (NOT cotton wool) and place in a cardboard box, seal and label.	If unsure as to whether or not the weapon is a replica, etc., seek advice from shore authorities BEFORE packaging.
	All wads and cartridge cases should be recovered.	For loose bullets/pellets, pack as above. Once known to be safe, place in a polycover and lay in a box padded with tissue paper to prevent movement, and seal and label.
CLOTHING OF PERSON SUSPECTED OF DISCHARGING A FIREARM AND ANY VICTIM
WARNING – See first page re: caution to be applied when dealing with body fluids	Clothing should be gently handled to preserve lightly adhering firearm discharge residue.	Items of clothing must be individually packaged in paper sacks, sealed with adhesive tape and labelled.	Plastic sacks can be used where clothing is dry.
	As above. BUT bloodstained clothing must be allowed to dry naturally before packing.		Plastic sacks can be used where clothing is dry.
Clothing of victim (crew)	As above.	As above.	As above.
DOCUMENTS (e.g., DEMANDS/RANSOM NOTES)
Hand-written documents	Obtain the ORIGINAL document, place in a polycover and if possible make a photocopy to be used as a working document (e.g., to Fax to authorities or Head Office).	Place in a clean polyfolder or polythene bag.
Hand-written documents		DO NOT WRITE ON OR MAKE ANY INDENTATIONS ON DOCUMENT.