Safety
Home > I. Types of Evidence > Safety
Blood can contain pathogens such as the hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and the human immunodeficiency virus (or HIV). It is essential to regard all biological evidence as potentially infectious and to follow universal safety precautions.
Those precautions include the following:
- Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as gloves and face masks.
- Avoid eating, applying cosmetics or any hand to face contact (especially mouth and eye).
- Use implements and wear puncture resistant gloves to handle objects that may be dangerous, such as broken glass. Ensure safe packaging is used.
- Identify biohazardous evidence material and packaging in containers with appropriate labeling.
