Photographing & Releasing Property
Missouri law has set out a procedure allowing police to photograph stolen merchandise and return it to the victim prior to trial. When this can be done, it obviously benefits the victim because the stolen goods will not remain locked away for months in a police evidence storage room.
Before evidence is simply photographed and released, however, the police officer involved should check with the prosecutor handling the case to make absolutely sure that the items will not be needed for trial. Sometimes a particular issue in a particular case will require the items themselves to be used as exhibits rather than merely photographs. In general, though, the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office will try to authorize the release of property as soon as possible.
Technical requirements concerning the taking of the photographs exist and should be followed. The applicable statute may be read in its entirety below.