Records Storage, Evidence Handling, and Environmental Controls
Records storage, evidence handling, and environmental controls covers the physical and environmental conditions that keep court records and evidence admissible and usable. This exam tests whether you can specify storage, climate, fire, and chain-of-custody systems.
Core rules and concepts
- Records: paper, microfilm, digital; compact mobile shelving; clean, dust-free, secure storage.
- Environmental: 65–70°F and 45–55% RH for paper; avoid swings; monitor and alarm. Data rooms commonly 64–81°F and 40–60% RH.
- Evidence: secure evidence room, pass-through locker, refrigerator for biological evidence, drying cabinet, drug vault; chain-of-custody log; barcode or RFID.
- Fire: 2-hour fire separation; sprinkler or pre-action sprinkler; smoke detection; clean-agent or water-mist systems where appropriate.
- Security: access control, CCTV, dual custody for valuable evidence.
Worked example
A basement evidence room floods. Specify a raised floor or slab, sump pumps, water sensors, and relocate shelving above flood level. For paper records, a 2-hour fire-rated enclosure and pre-action sprinkler reduce water damage while still protecting occupants.
Traps that cost marks
- Using office HVAC for records.
- Storing evidence in judge's chambers.
- Forgetting digital evidence storage and backups.
- Assuming sprinklers are always bad; pre-action systems limit water damage.