Which packaging step is recommended for shell casings to preserve their integrity?

• A. Placed in a plastic bag, seams sealed and initialed
• B. Wrapped in newspaper
• C. Labeled with no seal
• D. Placed in a glass container

Answer: (A)

Preserving integrity relies on preventing contamination and establishing a clear chain of custody. Placing the shell casings in a plastic bag, sealing the seams, and initialing the seal creates a tamper-evident container and records who handled the item. This packaging protects the evidence from dirt and cross-contamination, keeps the casings together, and makes it easy to track custody.

Wrapping in newspaper can transfer fibers or ink and doesn’t provide a reliable seal or custody evidence. Labeling without a seal leaves the item vulnerable to tampering or loss, and using a glass container introduces a breakage risk and isn’t as practical for portable, tamper-evident storage.