Should blood soaked clothing be dried and placed in a plastic bag?

The correct response emphasizes the need to handle blood-soaked clothing in a manner that preserves evidence integrity. Placing blood-soaked clothing in paper or breathable material is essential because it allows moisture to escape, preventing the growth of mold or the degradation of the evidence. Proper ventilation is critical when storing biological evidence to maintain its viability for forensic analysis.

Using plastic bags may trap moisture and promote bacterial growth, which could compromise the quality of the evidence. Therefore, utilizing materials that breathe is a best practice in evidence handling within the field, particularly concerning biological samples. This approach ensures that the physical and biological properties of the evidence are preserved until it can be analyzed.