What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas?

The Transportation Security Administration seems to have “bitten off” more criticism over the holiday weekend in Las Vegas, when an airport security officer took a passenger's frosted cupcake because he thought its vanilla-bourbon icing could be a “security risk”.

After reading this article, thoughts of what TSA’s Property and Evidence Room might look like came to mind and I am hoping they have a well-developed photographic policy for “perishables”.

Rightfully so, many prosecutors will frown on the release of any property/evidence in their cases. However, the storage of perishables in the Property and Evidence Room is ill-advised. 

When developing your “Perishables” policies consider the following:

• Prosecutor approval
• Homicide or major crime?
• Photographs with a line of measurement to reflect the size and shape
• Use a department approved/trained photographer
• Comprehensive case report articulating the confiscation and control of the property/evidence
• Forensic lab analysis prior to disposal
• Dispose of item(s) according to department policy and the law.