Storage lockers can be used for a variety of contents, as well as a variety of purposes. Most often, lockers are used to keep items secure. That’s the case when law enforcement and hospitals need to store biological evidence, but beyond that, biological evidence also must be protected from damage, degradation and contamination in order to retain its integrity.
According to guidelines from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), it is vital to store biological evidence in refrigerated and controlled environments so that the evidence’s integrity remains intact for testing. Compromised evidence could lead to wrongful convictions or lack of proof in a criminal or civil case.
Refrigeration becomes a necessity for proper storage of many forms of evidence. Refrigerated evidence lockers offer a way to temporarily store biological evidence while maintaining its integrity. But how do you choose between the many options available on the market?
Here are some things to think about when choosing a refrigerated evidence locker:
Temperature Consistency
To effectively store many forms of physical evidence that contain DNA, temperature plays an important role. Wet evidence, including blood and swabs with biological material, are best protected when the temperature is maintained thermostatically between 2°C and 8°C (36°F and 46°F) with less than 25% humidity, according to the NIST/NIJ guidelines.
Refrigerated evidence lockers will ensure that evidence is stored at a consistent temperature, protecting it from mold, contamination, and degradation. Even the smallest fluctuations in temperature can damage or destroy valuable evidence. A digital temperature monitoring and alarm system can alert staff of any changes in temperature so that they can be addressed right away. These also help staff consistently track the temperature of the environment so that it can be reported when the evidence changes hands.
Security
Evidence can arrive at any time of the day or night, and it is essential to maintain the chain of custody regardless of staff availability. Short-term evidence lockers act as the middle-man between the booking officer and the evidence room, so the evidence stays secure and the chain of custody is never broken. Automatic and keyless locking systems are ideal to protect against human error and ensure maximum security. In cases where even more security is necessary, remote monitoring can be used to meticulously track who accesses each locker and when they do so.
When choosing between refrigerated evidence lockers, make sure to check for proper security features that maintain the chain of custody and reduce the risk of evidence tampering.
Size Requirements
Refrigerated evidence lockers come in many sizes; it’s important to gauge what your department needs. Storage systems can be customized to contain a few individual lockers, or a much larger number. The sizes of these individual lockers can also vary greatly depending on the kind of evidence that might need housed.
Consider the volume of evidence you’ll need to store in a refrigerated environment as well as the size of typical evidence you obtain.
Pass-Thru vs. Non-Pass-Thru Systems
Depending on the layout and needs of your location, a pass-thru or non-pass-thru system might be appropriate. A pass-thru system is built into a wall that separates the area where evidence is processed from the area for long-term storage. Using these systems, staff can deposit evidence on one side and it can be retrieved on the other.
In a non-pass-thru system, evidence is deposited and retrieved through the same self-locking doors. This allows only authorized personnel to access each individual locker. Non-pass-thru systems are also easy to mount on any wall to save space and increase flexibility.
All of Systems & Space refrigerated storage lockers are made with security, integrity and flexibility in mind when storing evidence. To learn more about our refrigerated storage lockers, contact Systems & Space Inc. today.
