Mold damage, capacity issues found during evidence room check

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A thorough assessment of the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office evidence room showed several areas that need addressing.

According to a news release from the sheriff’s office, Sheriff Quentin Miller initially requested a third-party assessment of the evidence room as part of the department’s pursuit of accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). According to CALEA’s website, there are five steps to the accreditation process, including: Enrollment, Self-assessment, Assessment, Commission Review and Decision, and Maintaining Compliance and Reaccreditation. Some benefits to being accredited through CALEA include increased community advocacy, reduced risk and liability exposure and more.

The assessment of Buncombe County’s evidence room, conducted by the North Carolina Association for Property and Evidence (NCAPE), concluded on May 9, 2024, revealing it was over capacity and mold that had been initially identified during a 2019 audit had worsened.

The sheriff’s office says it started addressing the problems soon afterward. Sheriff Miller established the Property and Evidence Project Team to make sure all areas of the process fully comply with all North Carolina General Statutes and CALEA standards.

“In collaboration with County Leadership, the Sheriff’s Office intends to use forfeiture funds to adapt an existing county building to safeguard evidence and increase storage capacity,” a release from the sheriff’s office says. “Evidence Technicians will treat and store the affected items according to the standards set forth by the North Carolina State Crime Lab and according to NCGS § 15A‑268. This approach is designed to maintain the integrity and security of evidence while addressing current and future needs.”

The sheriff’s office is currently undergoing an additional inventory of evidence, making sure everything is appropriately cataloged, stored and managed. More updates can be expected following the conclusion of the inventory.

“We will ensure that our evidence management system follows best practices and accreditation standards,” Sheriff Miller said in a news release. “We are committed to resolving these issues and preventing future administrations from encountering the same problem.”