What should first responders label along with the evidence they collect?

First responders play a crucial role in preserving the integrity of evidence during an incident response. Labeling evidence correctly is essential for several reasons, including maintaining a clear chain of custody, ensuring proper handling, and facilitating the understanding of the collected evidence for future analysis.

Labeling all items of evidence collected—such as storage media, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and network access devices—is critical to providing comprehensive documentation of the incident. Each piece of evidence can have unique characteristics and relevance to the investigation, and by labeling them all, first responders help ensure that every item can be tracked and referenced later in legal or investigative proceedings.

Including storage media denotes the importance of any data stored within, while labeling PDAs shows the need to account for mobile devices that may also contain critical information. Network access labeling highlights the significance of understanding how systems are interconnected and may provide insight into the incident's scope or origin.

By having a thorough labeling protocol that includes all types of evidence collected, responders uphold best practices in incident handling, enhancing the overall effectiveness of the investigation. This comprehensive approach is crucial for reconstructing events, presenting findings, and defending the response within any legal frameworks that may apply.