The property or evidence that is brought in is logged in the computer and stored in the evidence room until the case is concluded.

The Evidence Tech has the crucial responsibility for the "chain of custody" for each item of evidence.  In the case of a major crime scene the Evidence Tech will assist the Deputies and Investigators in the collection and photography of the crime scene.

This Office's Evidence Technician is a member of the International Association of Property and Evidence Inventory Technician (I.A.P.E.I.T.) and the Texas Association of Property and Evidence Inventory Technician (T.A.P.E.I.T.).

NOTICE

Due to the State requirement of maintaining the integrity of evidence, there is only one person who has full-time access to the evidence room.  Therefore, persons wanting to retrieve personal property that is ready for release must call the Sheriff's Office (254-865-7201) or the Evidence Technician Sergeant John Blanchard at (254-404-2155) to make an appointment for picking up property and provide the Evidence Tech with the CASE NUMBER.  Requests to pick up released property can be made Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Once a person has been notified by certified letter to pickup their property, they have 90 days (in accordance with Art. 18.17 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure) to retrieve the property from the Evidence Tech.  If the property is not claimed within 90 days from the notification date, the property will be sold at auction or destroyed.