Secondary Container
Definition
The outer envelope that holds the primary container, the case-identifying label and the tamper-evident seal.
- Function
- Outer envelope holding the primary container
- Contents
- Case-identifying label and tamper-evident seal
- Context
- General physical evidence discovery and examination workflow
Common questions
Why does evidence packaging use both a primary and a secondary container instead of just one?+
The primary container is chosen for what directly preserves the physical evidence itself, such as a paper bindle for trace material or a vial for liquid, while the secondary container adds the tamper-evident sealing and case documentation layer needed for custody and transport, jobs that the primary container's material is not always suited to.
What happens if evidence is placed only in a secondary container without an appropriate primary container?+
Skipping the primary container risks improper preservation for that evidence type, for example moisture retention that promotes mold in biological samples or cross-contamination between different trace materials, since the secondary container's design prioritizes tamper evidence and labeling over evidence-specific preservation needs.
Does the secondary container get resealed if the primary container is opened for examination?+
Standard evidence handling practice reseals the secondary container with a new labeled seal after each examination and logs that reopening as a custody event, keeping the chain of custody documentation continuous even though the original seal is broken.
Related terms
- Forwarding Memo
- The transmittal document that accompanies a sealed packet to the FSL. Most Indian states use a state-numbered Form carrying the IO's signature,...
- Primary Container
- The packaging that is in direct contact with the evidence item: a bindle, an evidence bag, a rigid box. The primary container...
- Recognition
- The judgement call that a particular item or trace is evidence worth collecting. The hardest stage, because everything downstream depends on what...
- Tamper-Evident Seal
- A physical barrier (tape, sticker, wax) applied to packaging that shows visible damage if the package has been opened after sealing. Courts...