Biological Evidence Retention Task Force

The Ohio Biological Evidence Retention Task Force was established to institute a system for the proper preservation of biological evidence.

The task force will:

• Devise standards regarding the proper collection, retention, and cataloging of biological evidence for ongoing investigations and prosecutions;
• Recommend practices, protocols, models, and resources for the cataloging and accessibility of preserved biological evidence already in the possession of governmental evidence related entities; and
• Work with the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy to train law enforcement and other key personnel regarding the standards and practices that are developed.

Members

The task force consists of seven members, representing:

• Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation
• Ohio Prosecuting Attorneys Association
• Ohio State Coroners Association
• Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police
• Ohio Public Defenders Office (in consultation with the Ohio Innocence Project)
• Ohio Buckeye State Sheriffs Association
• Ohio Department of Public Safety, Office of Criminal Justice Services

Meetings

Meeting schedule | Meeting minutes

Guidelines for Preservation and Retention of Biological Evidence

Guidelines for Preservation and Retention of Biological Evidence
Executive Summary of the Guidelines
Sample Letter Giving Notice of Intent to Destroy Biological Evidence