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Fraud, Abuse, Or Retaliation

Notification of Concerns with the Policies and Procedures Regarding the Handling and Safeguarding of Physical Evidence at United States Attorney's Offices

Submitting OIG:

Department of Justice OIG

Date Issued:

Thursday, January 25, 2024

Agency Reviewed / Investigated:

Department of Justice

Submitting OIG-Specific Report Number:

24-023

Component, if applicable:

Other DOJ Components

Location(s):

Agency-Wide

Type of Report:

Other

Questioned Costs:

$0

Funds for Better Use:

$0

Number of Recommendations:

3

Report updated under NDAA 5274:

No

View Document:

Attachment	Size
24-023.pdf	1.6 MB

Related Open Recommendations

Recommendation Number	Recommendation Status	Significant Recommendation	Additional Details
1	Open	No	https://oig.justice.gov/reports
Revise Justice Manual Title 9 to reference the Title 3 policy regarding USAO handling of evidence in criminal matters and cases, and otherwise ensure that the policy regarding USAO handling of evidence in criminal matters and cases is made known to all relevant USAO employees.
2	Open	No	https://oig.justice.gov/reports
Reassess and revise the policy regarding handling evidence in criminal matters and cases to address the concerns identified in this memorandum. Specifically, at a minimum, these revisions should require USAOs, when storing physical evidence, to maintain documentation identifying the particular USAO employees who handled or had access to physical evidence and set forth baseline standards for how USAOs should ensure any location in which physical evidence is stored is secure and only accessible to individuals with a need to access such physical evidence.
3	Open	No	https://oig.justice.gov/reports
Provide training to relevant USAO employees regarding the safe handling, permissible storage, and documentation of physical evidence in criminal cases.