Mendocino County Grand Jury
• 2009-2010
A Mountain of Evidence a Report on the Mendocino County Main Storage Evidence Room
⚠️ Aviso de traducción: Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 22 findings
F1
The MCSO main storage Evidence Room has one full time and one part-time Evidence Technician and serves and assists all local law enforcement agencies, including the CHP, CAL FIRE, and the Department of Fish & Game.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors add a position for an Evidence Technician intern, as soon as possible. (Findings 1-3, 16-17)
R2
the Mendocino County Sheriff implement a part-time Evidence Room aide utilizing a student and/or volunteer. (Findings 1-3, 9-10, 16-17)
F2
In the past, four Evidence Technicians were employed. Evidence intake has doubled in the last 10 years.
Related Recommendations (2)
R1
the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors add a position for an Evidence Technician intern, as soon as possible. (Findings 1-3, 16-17)
R2
the Mendocino County Sheriff implement a part-time Evidence Room aide utilizing a student and/or volunteer. (Findings 1-3, 9-10, 16-17)
F3
It is estimated that a new Evidence Technician would require three years of supervised training.
Related Recommendations (3)
R1
the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors add a position for an Evidence Technician intern, as soon as possible. (Findings 1-3, 16-17)
R2
the Mendocino County Sheriff implement a part-time Evidence Room aide utilizing a student and/or volunteer. (Findings 1-3, 9-10, 16-17)
R3
General Services install a fire suppression system in the office area to protect the paper records, which are not currently backed up. (Findings 3- 5)
F4
Records detailing where the evidence is stored in the facility are kept manually in a card file. There is no back up in case of fire or other loss.
Related Recommendations (4)
R3
General Services install a fire suppression system in the office area to protect the paper records, which are not currently backed up. (Findings 3- 5)
R4
the Mendocino County Sheriff institute a bar-code system for evidence storage. (Findings 4-5, 8-10, 20)
R5
the Mendocino County Sheriff work with the Evidence Technician to create a list of necessary upgrades for the Evidence Room. (Findings 4-6, 9-17, 19-20)
R6
the Mendocino County Sheriff create a five year plan to achieve the Evidence Room upgrades, endorsed by Mendocino County Board of Supervisors. (Findings 4-6, 9-17, 19-20)
F5
Finger prints are kept manually and digitally.
Related Recommendations (4)
R3
General Services install a fire suppression system in the office area to protect the paper records, which are not currently backed up. (Findings 3- 5)
R4
the Mendocino County Sheriff institute a bar-code system for evidence storage. (Findings 4-5, 8-10, 20)
R5
the Mendocino County Sheriff work with the Evidence Technician to create a list of necessary upgrades for the Evidence Room. (Findings 4-6, 9-17, 19-20)
R6
the Mendocino County Sheriff create a five year plan to achieve the Evidence Room upgrades, endorsed by Mendocino County Board of Supervisors. (Findings 4-6, 9-17, 19-20)
F6
There was a strong odor of marijuana in the facility, which has very poor ventilation.
Related Recommendations (2)
R5
the Mendocino County Sheriff work with the Evidence Technician to create a list of necessary upgrades for the Evidence Room. (Findings 4-6, 9-17, 19-20)
R6
the Mendocino County Sheriff create a five year plan to achieve the Evidence Room upgrades, endorsed by Mendocino County Board of Supervisors. (Findings 4-6, 9-17, 19-20)
F7
The facility requires and has a temperature controlled environment and an alarm system.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
The GJ observed the forensics lab, weapons, and other evidence.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
the Mendocino County Sheriff institute a bar-code system for evidence storage. (Findings 4-5, 8-10, 20)
F9
There are an estimated 96,000 items of evidence in the 5,000 square foot facility.
Related Recommendations (5)
R2
the Mendocino County Sheriff implement a part-time Evidence Room aide utilizing a student and/or volunteer. (Findings 1-3, 9-10, 16-17)
R4
the Mendocino County Sheriff institute a bar-code system for evidence storage. (Findings 4-5, 8-10, 20)
R5
the Mendocino County Sheriff work with the Evidence Technician to create a list of necessary upgrades for the Evidence Room. (Findings 4-6, 9-17, 19-20)
R6
the Mendocino County Sheriff create a five year plan to achieve the Evidence Room upgrades, endorsed by Mendocino County Board of Supervisors. (Findings 4-6, 9-17, 19-20)
R7
the Mendocino County District Attorney adopt either the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office Disposition-Evidence Memo or the Authorization for Release/Disposition of Property. (Findings 9-17)
F10
The GJ observed the facility to be at maximum storage capacity.
Related Recommendations (5)
R2
the Mendocino County Sheriff implement a part-time Evidence Room aide utilizing a student and/or volunteer. (Findings 1-3, 9-10, 16-17)
R4
the Mendocino County Sheriff institute a bar-code system for evidence storage. (Findings 4-5, 8-10, 20)
R5
the Mendocino County Sheriff work with the Evidence Technician to create a list of necessary upgrades for the Evidence Room. (Findings 4-6, 9-17, 19-20)
R6
the Mendocino County Sheriff create a five year plan to achieve the Evidence Room upgrades, endorsed by Mendocino County Board of Supervisors. (Findings 4-6, 9-17, 19-20)
R7
the Mendocino County District Attorney adopt either the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office Disposition-Evidence Memo or the Authorization for Release/Disposition of Property. (Findings 9-17)
F11
Evidence is returned or disposed of when the court determines it is no longer needed or upon notification by the MCDAO, or by staff, or claimed by the owner.
Related Recommendations (3)
R5
the Mendocino County Sheriff work with the Evidence Technician to create a list of necessary upgrades for the Evidence Room. (Findings 4-6, 9-17, 19-20)
R6
the Mendocino County Sheriff create a five year plan to achieve the Evidence Room upgrades, endorsed by Mendocino County Board of Supervisors. (Findings 4-6, 9-17, 19-20)
R7
the Mendocino County District Attorney adopt either the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office Disposition-Evidence Memo or the Authorization for Release/Disposition of Property. (Findings 9-17)
F12
When a person makes a claim for their property, a Property Release Form is issued by the MCDAO. However, a court order is required for release of drugs or property seized with a search warrant.
Related Recommendations (3)
R5
the Mendocino County Sheriff work with the Evidence Technician to create a list of necessary upgrades for the Evidence Room. (Findings 4-6, 9-17, 19-20)
R6
the Mendocino County Sheriff create a five year plan to achieve the Evidence Room upgrades, endorsed by Mendocino County Board of Supervisors. (Findings 4-6, 9-17, 19-20)
R7
the Mendocino County District Attorney adopt either the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office Disposition-Evidence Memo or the Authorization for Release/Disposition of Property. (Findings 9-17)
F13
If there is no court order for disposal, and property is not claimed, the evidence remains stored in the facility.
Related Recommendations (3)
R5
the Mendocino County Sheriff work with the Evidence Technician to create a list of necessary upgrades for the Evidence Room. (Findings 4-6, 9-17, 19-20)
R6
the Mendocino County Sheriff create a five year plan to achieve the Evidence Room upgrades, endorsed by Mendocino County Board of Supervisors. (Findings 4-6, 9-17, 19-20)
R7
the Mendocino County District Attorney adopt either the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office Disposition-Evidence Memo or the Authorization for Release/Disposition of Property. (Findings 9-17)
F14
The MCSO form Authorization for Release/Disposition of Property, is approved by the Evidence Technician, but not utilized by the MCDAO. (See Appendix A)
Related Recommendations (3)
R5
the Mendocino County Sheriff work with the Evidence Technician to create a list of necessary upgrades for the Evidence Room. (Findings 4-6, 9-17, 19-20)
R6
the Mendocino County Sheriff create a five year plan to achieve the Evidence Room upgrades, endorsed by Mendocino County Board of Supervisors. (Findings 4-6, 9-17, 19-20)
R7
the Mendocino County District Attorney adopt either the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office Disposition-Evidence Memo or the Authorization for Release/Disposition of Property. (Findings 9-17)
F15
A form, the Mendocino County District Attorney Office Disposition-Evidence Memo, has not been adopted or utilized by the MCDAO. (See Appendix B)
Related Recommendations (3)
R5
the Mendocino County Sheriff work with the Evidence Technician to create a list of necessary upgrades for the Evidence Room. (Findings 4-6, 9-17, 19-20)
R6
the Mendocino County Sheriff create a five year plan to achieve the Evidence Room upgrades, endorsed by Mendocino County Board of Supervisors. (Findings 4-6, 9-17, 19-20)
R7
the Mendocino County District Attorney adopt either the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office Disposition-Evidence Memo or the Authorization for Release/Disposition of Property. (Findings 9-17)
F16
The lack of sufficient personnel assigned to the Identification Unit, and the lack of notification of adjudicated cases by the MCDAO, has resulted in an overburdened evidence and property system.
Related Recommendations (5)
R1
the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors add a position for an Evidence Technician intern, as soon as possible. (Findings 1-3, 16-17)
R2
the Mendocino County Sheriff implement a part-time Evidence Room aide utilizing a student and/or volunteer. (Findings 1-3, 9-10, 16-17)
R5
the Mendocino County Sheriff work with the Evidence Technician to create a list of necessary upgrades for the Evidence Room. (Findings 4-6, 9-17, 19-20)
R6
the Mendocino County Sheriff create a five year plan to achieve the Evidence Room upgrades, endorsed by Mendocino County Board of Supervisors. (Findings 4-6, 9-17, 19-20)
R7
the Mendocino County District Attorney adopt either the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office Disposition-Evidence Memo or the Authorization for Release/Disposition of Property. (Findings 9-17)
F17
Purging and disposition of evidence requires that staff: • choose a container with an old date, • research the case number in the Sheriff’s Arrest Records to find the name of the perpetrator; there are often several suspects on one report, • search for the names in the MCDAO and court records, • check the name of each individual to determine if there is an active arrest, bench warrant, pending felony, or litigation, • check the statute of limitations for the particular crime; some evidence must be held for as long as 99 years.
Related Recommendations (5)
R1
the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors add a position for an Evidence Technician intern, as soon as possible. (Findings 1-3, 16-17)
R2
the Mendocino County Sheriff implement a part-time Evidence Room aide utilizing a student and/or volunteer. (Findings 1-3, 9-10, 16-17)
R5
the Mendocino County Sheriff work with the Evidence Technician to create a list of necessary upgrades for the Evidence Room. (Findings 4-6, 9-17, 19-20)
R6
the Mendocino County Sheriff create a five year plan to achieve the Evidence Room upgrades, endorsed by Mendocino County Board of Supervisors. (Findings 4-6, 9-17, 19-20)
R7
the Mendocino County District Attorney adopt either the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office Disposition-Evidence Memo or the Authorization for Release/Disposition of Property. (Findings 9-17)
F18
Refrigerated evidence is kept in energy efficient refrigerators that are maintained and checked according to schedule. There are two generators for back-up electricity.
No recommendations for this finding
F19
The fire extinguishers were found to have current certification tags. There is no automatic fire suppression system in the facility. Such a system could contaminate or destroy evidence.
Related Recommendations (2)
R5
the Mendocino County Sheriff work with the Evidence Technician to create a list of necessary upgrades for the Evidence Room. (Findings 4-6, 9-17, 19-20)
R6
the Mendocino County Sheriff create a five year plan to achieve the Evidence Room upgrades, endorsed by Mendocino County Board of Supervisors. (Findings 4-6, 9-17, 19-20)
F20
A bar-code evidence retention system, which will clearly show items intake and output, is being evaluated for use throughout the County.
Related Recommendations (2)
R5
the Mendocino County Sheriff work with the Evidence Technician to create a list of necessary upgrades for the Evidence Room. (Findings 4-6, 9-17, 19-20)
R6
the Mendocino County Sheriff create a five year plan to achieve the Evidence Room upgrades, endorsed by Mendocino County Board of Supervisors. (Findings 4-6, 9-17, 19-20)
F21
There is a tripping hazard at the entrance to the office. No threshold is installed between the cement floor and the carpeted office.
Related Recommendations (1)
R8
General Services inspect and correct the tripping hazard. (Finding 21)
F22
The southwest corner of the property has a tree with a large branch that encroaches on the power lines.
Related Recommendations (1)
R9
General Services contact the appropriate utility to have the encroaching tree trimmed. (Finding 22)
Agency Responses 1
Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.