The Boynton Beach Police Department Evidence Unit is responsible for the secure intake, tracking, storage, and disposition of all property and evidence collected by police personnel. Whether an item is seized as part of a criminal investigation, recovered as found property, or held for safekeeping, the Evidence Unit ensures that every piece of property is preserved, documented, and protected in accordance with strict departmental procedures and Florida law.
By maintaining an unbroken chain of custody and employing industry-standard property management practices, the Evidence Unit plays a critical role in supporting successful investigations, ensuring courtroom integrity, and safeguarding the rights of the public.
Core Functions
The Evidence Unit is committed to:
- Ensuring the protection, preservation, and security of all property and evidence taken into police custody
- Maintaining accurate records and chain-of-custody documentation through the agency’s Records Management System (RMS)
- Providing timely intake, retrieval, and release services to officers, detectives, crime scene personnel, the courts, and members of the public
- Ensuring all evidence is packaged, labeled, stored, and disposed of in accordance with state law, accreditation standards, and agency directives
- Supporting investigative units and the State Attorney’s Office by facilitating laboratory submissions and evidence transfers
Every item in police custody is handled with precision to maintain its evidentiary value and ensure full legal compliance.
Property Management
The Evidence Unit handles four primary property classifications:
- Evidence - Items believed to be related to a crime or capable of proving guilt or innocence. Includes: seized property, crime lab submissions, weapons, DNA evidence, digital media, and recovered stolen items.
- Found Property - Lost or abandoned items that are not connected to a crime and are held while attempts are made to identify and notify the rightful owner.
- Contraband - Items illegal to possess under Florida law and subject to destruction or forfeiture.
- Safekeeping - Property held temporarily to protect the owner until it can be claimed.
All property taken into police custody is:
- Documented by the recovering officer in the department’s Records Management System
- Properly packaged and labeled using approved materials and methods
- Submitted to the Evidence Unit or secured in an authorized temporary storage location
- Reviewed and logged by evidence personnel, who ensure accuracy before storage
This rigorous intake process ensures that no item enters the system without proper documentation and accountability.
Maintaining the chain of custody is essential for evidence integrity. The Evidence Unit ensures:
- Every transfer, examination, or movement of evidence is accurately recorded
- Laboratory submissions and returns are fully documented
- RMS property records reflect all handling of the item
- Court-required chain-of-custody reports are complete and precise
From initial recovery to final disposition, each person who handles the item is recorded to preserve its evidentiary value in court.
The Evidence Unit upholds the highest standards of accountability, accuracy, and professionalism. Through rigorous documentation, secure storage practices, and unwavering adherence to Florida law, the Evidence Unit ensures that every item entrusted to the Boynton Beach Police Department is handled with integrity and care.
Property and Evidence Claims
For inquiries related to property or evidence held by the Boynton Beach Police Department, please contact the Property/Evidence Unit at 561-742-6172 or 561-742-6178. If there is no answer, callers are encouraged to leave a detailed voicemail with their contact information, or email policeevidence@bbfl.us for assistance.
Property returns are conducted by appointment only on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Individuals requesting the return of property or evidence must complete and submit the required form, either in person or by email.
Please note that unclaimed general and prisoner property will be considered abandoned and disposed of after 90 days in accordance with Florida Statutes (F.S.S. 705.103). A list of unclaimed property is available for public review in the main lobby of the Boynton Beach Police Department during regular business hours.
