MCOLES State Licensing Practice Exam

What is the first action to take with a wet shirt covered in blood before processing?

1. Package the shirt in a plastic bag

2. Place the shirt in between two strips of cardboard

3. Air-dry the shirt before packaging

4. Soak the shirt in a preservative solution

The correct answer is: Air-dry the shirt before packaging

When dealing with a wet shirt that is covered in blood, the recommended first action is to air-dry the shirt before packaging. This is important for several reasons. First, drying the shirt helps to preserve the biological evidence. Blood is a biological material that can degrade if kept wet for an extended period. By allowing the shirt to air-dry, the bloodstains can be preserved in a more analyzable condition once it is processed. Additionally, packaging a wet item in a plastic bag can create a moist environment that encourages bacterial growth and can compromise the integrity of the evidence. Therefore, air-drying serves to mitigate such risks. This process ensures that the evidence retains its evidentiary value and is suitable for forensic analysis later on. The other options may compromise the integrity of the evidence or are not standard practices in evidence collection. For example, placing the shirt in between cardboard might not provide adequate air circulation and could still allow for moisture retention. Soaking the shirt in a preservative solution could alter the original state of the bloodstains and potentially hinder forensic examinations. Thus, air-drying the shirt is the most appropriate first step before any further handling.