EVIDENCE COLLECTION, CHAIN OF CUSTODY & STORAGE
Evidence That Stands Up
Federal Rules standards. ASTM compliance. Chain of custody you can defend.
The Stakes
Evidence preservation isn't just documentation. It's the foundation of your subrogation case and your liability defense.
One break in chain of custody and opposing counsel destroys your credibility. One storage facility that doesn't meet standards and your entire case collapses.
The difference between a warehouse and true evidence storage? About a million dollars in subrogation recovery.
We're Not a Storage Facility...
We're fire investigators who understand what evidence matters and why.
We preserve it to the same standards used in criminal cases—because that's what civil litigation demands.
WHY PROFIRE
How We’re Different
Evidence Services operates to ASTM standards and Federal Rules of Evidence protocols. The same chain of custody requirements that apply to homicide investigations apply here.
Your opposing counsel will challenge the evidence.
We make sure it holds up.
what the Service includes
What We Provide
Strategic Evidence Identification
We don't collect everything. We identify what matters for subrogation, liability, and coverage—then preserve it correctly.
Proper Collection Protocols
Photography and documentation before, during, and after collection. Sealed containers. Tamper-evident packaging. Location mapping.
Chain of Custody Documentation
Chain of custody compliance is one of our highest priorities. Every movement is tracked. Every access is authorized and recorded.
ASTM-Compliant Storage
Climate-controlled facilities. Secure access. Proper shelving and separation. Fire suppression systems. 24/7 monitoring.
Long-Term Preservation
Evidence maintained for litigation timelines. Retrieval and transportation when needed. Disposition coordination when cases close.
Why It Matters
For Subrogation:
Preserved evidence = proof of defect.
No evidence = no recovery. We protect the physical proof you need to go after manufacturers, contractors, or other responsible parties.
For Liability Defense:
Chain of custody failures give opposing counsel ammunition. We eliminate that risk with documentation that meets Federal Rules standards.
For Coverage Disputes:
Sometimes the evidence proves vacancy, occupancy changes, or safeguard violations. Proper preservation protects your coverage position.
Evidentiary Standards
The federal Rules Difference
Most storage facilities treat evidence like inventory.
We treat it like what it is: potential courtroom exhibits in multi-million-dollar litigation.
Properly identified at the scene
Continuously documented through collection
Secured against tampering or contamination
Federal Rules of Evidence govern admissibility. Evidence must be:
We follow the same protocols used for criminal evidence — because civil cases face the same scrutiny.
Integrated With Investigation
Evidence preservation starts at the scene —not after the report is written.
Our investigators identify critical evidence during the investigation.
Scene support teams secure it immediately.
Storage coordination happens before we leave the site.
You get seamless evidence handling from first response through trial.
Product Subrogation
Appliances, electrical components, HVAC systems preserved with exemplars and documentation supporting manufacturer defect claims.
Construction Defect
Building materials, wiring, mechanical systems preserved to support contractor or supplier liability.
Large Loss Evidence Management
Volume handling with systematic cataloging, storage, and retrieval for complex multi-party litigation.
Long-Term Preservation
Years-long storage with maintained integrity for cases moving through appeals or extended litigation.
Expertise
Case Scenarios
The difference between evidence storage and evidence preservation is the difference between a warehouse and a forensic facility.
CFI Evidence maintains ASTM standards and Federal Rules compliance—because your subrogation recovery and liability defense depend on it.