Vision and Design Bring Vitality to Evidence Storage Challenge
Just because something has always been done a certain way does not mean that there is no room for a reimagining. The evidence room at the Knox County Criminal Court in Knoxville, Tennessee is a prime example. For more than 30 years, the collected pieces of evidence built up with a single person knowing exactly where everything was stored. Inventory was recorded on 3×5 index cards, and as the aisles became more and more crowded, it became that much more challenging to maintain organization and easy access to these critical items.
HOW STORAGE MADE THE DIFFERENCE.
Items in evidence storage are often kept for years, or even decades. Because these items need to be accessed not only for criminal trials but for subsequent appeals, ensuring that they are kept organized and protected against loss or damage is of the utmost importance. A five-aisle, powered high-density storage system helped the Knox County Criminal Court transform its evidence storage room into an attractive, secure, and state-of-the-art area. Coupled with a new computer-based inventory system, the enacted storage solution made it possible for any member of the unit’s team to access needed items quickly and easily.
Deciding to perform an upgrade was the first step. Ensuring that the newly designed space would adequately serve the community for years to come made the decisions along the way that much more important. Ensuring that different types of evidence (including money, narcotics and weapons) could each be stored uniquely and securely was a critical consideration.
“Now, we’ve got everything organized and know at the tap of a button what aisle, row and bin something is in. It’s wonderful.” — Mike Hammond, Criminal Court Clerk for Knox County, Tennessee
