What happens to evidence that cannot be stored after a case is solved and the trial ends? Such as vehicles, weapons, drugs, cash, consumables, etc.

Question

Surely not everything is stored in warehouses and evidence rooms, and surely certain things can’t just be thrown out or auctioned away.

In: Other

Answer 1

Depends on the Law Enforcement Agency and the crime that the evidence was obtained from.

The US Army CID saves quite a bit – a lot of crimes involve federal property. So guns and the shrapnel can be stored as cases go on appeal. I walked past their holding lot at Fort Bliss – they have cars from the 60’s and 70’s there as they may have cases still open.

I was in the market for a used car and made the mistake of trying a dealer in the shady side of town. Eyup, several cars on the lot were from the police impound lot were evidence – complete with bits missing as the police had processed them.