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Newport News Police Department
b. Suspected marijuana plants should only be packaged in paper bags. Plant stalks will be broken down
to fit the bag. Do not collect the root ball, dirt, or pot/planter. Use an appropriately sized bag, seal with
tape, and initial the seal. The same information required on a drug evidence bag should be placed on
the paper bag. Green marijuana for destruction can be placed in plastic bags since it will not be tested.
6. All other evidence related to drugs or narcotics (i.e., paraphernalia without residue present) will be
submitted to the P&E Unit as normal evidence on a separate P&E sheet.
7. Temporary Storage of Narcotic Evidence [84.1.1(e); 84.1.2]
a. Unless turned directly over to the P&E Unit drug control officer, drug evidence will be stored in
the temporary evidence storage rooms in the designated drug storage The recovering employee
shall properly package (double bag) and mark the drug evidence before placing it in a drug
mailbox or designated storage locker, marked “drugs only.”
b. If the evidence is too large to fit into the drug mailbox, select a large locker, remove the lock, and move
a yellow lock or the lock marked with the word “DRUGS” to that locker. If the evidence is too large for
any locker, notify the drug control officer.
8. Handling of Drug Evidence
a. Syringes will be handled with caution to avoid accidental punctures. If possible, re-cap and
package safely. Needles will be recapped by placing the cap on a hard surface and putting the
needle into it, not by holding the cap in hand.
b. In cases involving syringes as physical evidence, syringes are not submitted for laboratory
analysis unless essential to the investigation due to consideration for the safety of laboratory
personnel. The evidence container will be clearly marked “CONTAINS A SYRINGE” and identified
as such on any RFLE (State Form DFS-100-F100) and marked with a biohazard label as set out in
III.E.5.
c. LSD, PCP, fentanyl (including similar fentanyl analogs), and similar hallucinogens/substances are
easily introduced into the system through minor vapor inhalation and absorption through the
skin’s pores. Cautionary techniques will be used. If possible, avoid touching the drugs to prevent
destruction and contamination. Rubber gloves will be used. Hands should be kept away from the
mouth and eyes. Fentanyl warning stickers are available at each property and evidence room to
provide visual warning to anyone handling the evidence.
d. Control all evidence to ensure the proper chain of custody. Notations of all pertinent times must
be recorded in the investigatory letter.
E. Evidence Requiring Special Consideration, Handling and Packaging [83.2.4(d); 84.1.1(e)]
1. To prevent injury and evidence contamination, hazardous or dangerous items require special
packaging before submission to P&E. Items to be processed must be handled as little as possible.
2. Firearms
a. Employees will document the date and time of the NCIC/VCIN weapon inquiry on the P&E sheet.
The employee will note any “hit” on the inquiry, including the owner’s information. If the “hit” is
from Newport News, the officer will ensure the item is removed from NCIC/VCIN prior to
submitting the evidence to P&E.
b. Firearms will be cleared and unloaded of all ammunition and actions or cylinders blocked open with
a nylon tie. Magazines will be removed from all firearms but will not be unloaded. Firearms will be
tagged using a string tag and not packaged. Employees will place firearms in a size-suitable locker
with the muzzle pointed into, or toward the floor, of the locker. Magazines and cartridges shall be
placed in a zip lock bag in the locker with the firearm.
1) When the magazine is removed from a semi-automatic weapon and submitted as evidence, keep
the ammunition inside the magazine for safe transport.
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