Collect samples of any adhering material (e.g. hair, fibers, glass, paint, gunshot residue, and particulate matter from a vehicle) from the front and back of the body before body is washed. This evidence may be collected with fine tipped forceps or by taping. Separate pieces of tape can be used to collect trace evidence from each different part of the body (e.g. right leg, left leg, etc.) and the tape then placed onto clear, plastic sheet protectors or inside clear plastic, petri dishes.
The decedent's fingernails can be examined for damage or foreign material such as tissue, fibers, or hairs. Collect any foreign material from fingernails with a toothpick and place in paper bindles labeled with information about the location of this evidence. If the nails are sufficiently long, they should be clipped and the clippings placed into paper bindles.
In the case of a suspected sexual assault, combings can be taken of the decedent' s pubic area.
Examine the body for the presence of bloody fingerprints. If bloody fingerprints are detected, consider enhancing these prints (after first photographing them) using appropriate reagent spray.
If the victim has broken fingernails (including artificial nails), consider removing the remaining portion so that it could be compared with any nail fragments recovered from another location.