Disposal of evidence property occurs after the case is closed for how long?

• A. 6 months
• B. 2 years
• C. 1 year
• D. 18 months

Answer: (C)

After a case is closed, evidence and property are kept for a set period to protect potential rights and investigative needs. A common policy is to retain evidence for one year from case closure before disposal. That one-year window gives time for any owners to claim items, allows for post-conviction relief or new leads to surface, and ensures investigators can access the evidence if needed for further reviews. Once that period passes and there are no pending actions, the property can be disposed of following the agency’s procedures, with proper documentation and authorization. Six months would be too short to cover possible claims or appeals, two years would unnecessarily extend storage time, and eighteen months isn’t the standard practice in this context. Special items may have different retention schedules, but for general evidence, one year is the typical period.