This Is How Powerful Automating Evidence Disposition Is

Countless TV shows have solidified how thrilling evidence gathering can be. Investigators come with the latest tools to discover remnants of the crime unseen to the human eye, such as strands of hair, nails, and even cleaned up blood. Others find forgotten tools that contain fingerprints. While the prospect of gathering evidence may seem difficult as it is, the single greatest problem investigators have remains to be evidence disposition.

With so many cases to solve, evidence eventually piles up, despite the acquisition of new storage facilities. Property rooms from all over the country are strewn with countless pieces of evidence, accompanied by documentation for cases that have long since been resolved. With limited budgets and limited resources, however, evidence managers scramble to find ways to solve the pressing problem of evidence pile-up.

The Elusive Nature of Effective Disposition Systems

With an effective disposition system, agencies should ideally be able to dispose of evidence annually. The optimal rate of evidence disposition would also be at a ratio of 1:1, meaning that for every piece of evidence taken in, another piece would be disposed of. However, with mandates in each state dictating how long evidence must be held, combined with not having the proper systems in place, evidence disposition can be difficult to manage.

The problem can be traced back to the need for evidence at court trials—some pieces of evidence need to be held onto for weeks until eligible for trials. Trial dates can also depend on the statute of limitations—how long the accused can be tried for the offense committed. Everything for evidence disposition depends on the trial timeline, which can be traced back to the justice system itself.

Eventually, if no one is tried or charged, the evidence is deemed useless. But without proper disposition management processes in place, the pieces of evidence remain on the shelf indefinitely.

The Need for Digital Transformation

With the pressing problems laid out, how can law enforcement agencies tackle the system better? The answer is quite simple—with the dawn of the digital age, digital tracking software can help. Such a platform can make the entire process of managing evidence efficient and streamlined—starting with evidence recovery and leading up to disposition.

Evidence tracking software allows those in charge to successfully keep track of all evidence gathered, ensuring that no item can be disposed of prematurely—or held beyond its date. Agencies are able to track those items that are no longer needed, and effectively halt any plans for acquiring new property for evidence storage. With already having limited resources to work with, agencies can then use these funds for other needs.

Evidence Tracking and Beyond: Automating Evidence Disposition

The digital age continues to sweep across industries and with so much to do and change, law enforcement agencies need to adapt to survive. Solving crimes and evidence gathering are glorified by the media, but behind the doors are the realities of changing times—cramped shelves, overdue evidence, and limited resources.

By embracing an automated evidence management system, you’ll be able to help your agency save the cost of acquiring additional needed storage space, as well as avoid mistakes that may negatively impact the outcomes of investigations.

Your Evidence Management System

If you’re on the hunt for the best evidence management solutions in the United States, PMI Evidence Tracker™ offers the best on the market. Designed “By Cops for Cops,” we understand the need for effective evidence management. Through quality products and excellent customer service, we’ll help your department evolve. Reach out to us today for more information!