Evidence preservation

Abstract

A preservation apparatus for evidence samples comprising a hermetically sealable container having means to suspend samples in humidity exchange with air held within the container and a drying agent to dehumidify the air held within the container in order to act as a sink for humidity exchange in order to markedly dry the samples.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
   
   
       15 . A preservation apparatus for evidence samples, the apparatus comprising a hermetically sealable container having means to suspend a sample in humidity exchange with air held within the container and a drying agent to dehumidify the air held within the container in order to act as a sink for humidity exchange in order to markedly dry the sample. 
   
   
       16 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the means to suspend the sample comprises a closure for the container. 
   
   
       17 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 16  wherein that closure is a lid for the container. 
   
   
       18 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the drying agent is a pre-dried silica gel. 
   
   
       19 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the drying agent is held in a separate compartment of the container with a diffusion barrier between that compartment and the remainder of the apparatus in which the sample is suspended. 
   
   
       20 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the drying agent is replaceable in order to achieve acceptable drying of the sample. 
   
   
       21 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the drying agent changes color to indicate its water content and therefore extent of humidity exchange within the container. 
   
   
       22 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the container includes means to ensure that the sample does not contact the walls of the container when suspended. 
   
   
       23 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the means to suspend a sample in the container comprises a stork. 
   
   
       24 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 23  wherein the stork is surrounded by a gauntlet. 
   
   
       25 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 24  wherein the gauntlet is displaceable about the sample in use. 
   
   
       26 . An apparatus as claimed in  claim 23  wherein a plurality of gauntlets are locatable within or from the hermetically sealable container.