Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC QLD) – Scene Integrity Advice
Publishes guidance on best-practice investigation methods, including securing evidence, preserving scene integrity, and maintaining procedural fairness
🔗 CCC QLD Publications
📌 Focus:
Ethical and lawful conduct of public sector investigations
Emphasises:
Proper collection and documentation of evidence
Scene management procedures
Minimising the risk of legal challenge or corruption allegations
Though focused on misconduct investigations, the principles apply to local government investigations involving physical evidence
✅ This is a valuable reference for reinforcing professional standards in evidence handling and scene integrity during council operations.
NIJ – Guide for Law Enforcement Crime Scene Investigators
Internationally recognised guide outlining best-practice procedures for managing and documenting physical crime scenes.
🔗 NIJ Crime Scene Guide
📌 Focus:
Structured methodology for:
Photographing evidence (overall, mid-range, close-up)
Logging and labelling exhibits
Sketching the scene (orientation, measurements, object placement)
Coordinated search methods (grid, spiral, zone)
Designed for law enforcement, but methods are highly applicable to regulatory and local government investigations
✅ Ideal for training investigators in scene management, note-taking, photography, and documentation, particularly during incident or offence inspections.
Queensland Health – Forensic and Scientific Services (FSS)
Queensland Government’s official forensic laboratory service — provides expert testing in DNA, toxicology, microbiology, and physical evidence analysis.
📌 Focus:
Offers forensic testing services that may be accessed by local councils through formal arrangements or referrals
Relevant for:
Biological evidence (blood, saliva, hair)
Environmental testing (e.g. toxic substances at illegal dump sites)
DNA profile comparison and interpretation
Plays a critical role in preserving evidentiary integrity during external laboratory handling
✅ This resource supports the importance of proper field handling, especially when evidence is destined for external scientific testing.
Office of Fair Trading - Entry, Search and Seizure Policy – Queensland Government (OFT)
Practical guidance for authorised officers on exercising entry, search, and seizure powers in compliance with Queensland law. Though developed for OFT, the principles are directly applicable to local government investigations.
🔗 Entry, Search and Seizure Policy (PDF)
📌 Focus:
Real-world procedures and officer responsibilities relating to:
Gaining lawful entry (with consent or warrant)
Explaining rights and issuing notices
Collecting, labelling, and securing evidence
Recording actions and preserving procedural fairness
✅ This resource helps council investigators:
Follow clear procedures for lawful entry and seizure
Document investigations in a way that is legally defensible
Avoid overreach or procedural errors that could compromise outcomes
NIJ Firearms Examiner Training – Module 06: Evidence Handling
Detailed online module from the U.S. National Institute of Justice, covering universal principles of evidence collection, packaging, labeling, and documentation. Though developed for firearms examiners, its methods apply to most physical evidence encountered by investigators.
🔗 NIJ Firearms Examiner Training – Evidence Handling Module\
📌 Focus:
Standardised practices for:
Packaging and sealing of evidence
Chain of custody documentation
Preventing cross-contamination
Labelling, transportation, and courtroom presentation
Reinforces meticulous handling techniques applicable to council investigations (e.g. dumped items, property damage, discarded equipment)
✅ This module provides a practical reference for ensuring professional, court-admissible exhibit handling by council investigators.
NSW Police Force – Forensic Evidence & Technical Services Command: SOPs
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) developed by NSW Police for the collection, packaging, labelling, contamination control, and documentation of physical evidence.
🔗 NSW Police Forensic SOP – PDF
📌 Focus:
While created for police, these SOPs are directly relevant to:
Council investigations involving physical evidence (e.g. illegal dumping, damaged property, incident scenes)
Scene preservation
Chain of custody
Safe handling of potentially hazardous materials
✅ This is a strong reference for training council investigators in professional evidence-handling practices, even if not strictly mandated by local government protocols.
