What should be done with evidence if it is wet during collection?

When dealing with wet evidence, it is crucial to let it dry if it is wet. This is because allowing wet evidence to dry helps prevent the growth of mold and degradation of the material, which could compromise its integrity and potentially affect its admissibility in court. Wet materials, especially biological evidence, are sensitive to moisture and can easily be damaged, making it important to manage them correctly during the collection process.

Placing wet evidence in a glass jar or wrapping it in plastic immediately can trap moisture, creating an environment where mold can develop. Storing evidence in an airtight container would also retain moisture and potentially damage the evidence over time. Therefore, simply allowing wet evidence to dry in a controlled manner is the best practice to maintain its integrity for future analysis and use in legal proceedings.