At a weapons of mass destruction incident, which document should provide the method for evidence collection?

• A. The maximum number of responders allowed.
• B. The incident action plan or Standard Operating Guideline should provide the method for evidence collection.
• C. The timeframe for decontamination completion.
• D. The order of medical priorities for patients.

Answer: (D)

Evidence collection in a weapons of mass destruction incident is governed by the incident management framework, and the document that prescribes how to collect, preserve, and document evidence is the incident action plan or the organization’s standard operating guidelines. The incident action plan lays out the procedural steps, safety considerations, and roles for securing the scene, preventing contamination, and handling evidence, including labeling, packaging, transport, and maintaining chain of custody. It coordinates efforts across agencies (hazardous materials responders and law enforcement) to ensure evidence integrity while protecting responder safety.

The other items address different needs. The maximum number of responders is a resource and staffing consideration, not a method for evidence handling. Decontamination timing concerns safety and processing speed, not evidentiary procedures. The order of medical priorities guides patient triage and treatment, which is a medical function separate from evidence collection.