Professional Protocols for Forensic Evidence Handover Between Hospitals and Police in Ogun State

The transfer of forensic medical evidence from healthcare facilities to law enforcement agencies is a procedurally sensitive step that, if mismanaged, can compromise the integrity of criminal investigations. This study develops and evaluates professional protocols for forensic evidence handover between hospitals and police in Ogun State, South West Nigeria. Using a mixed-methods design, data were collected from interviews with twenty nurses, eight police crime scene technicians, and ten emergency physicians across five hospitals and three police divisions in Abeokuta and Sagamu. The research analyses current handover practices, identifies procedural gaps, and benchmarks findings against international medico-legal evidence transfer standards. Findings reveal that no formalised handover protocol exists in any of the sampled institutions, and informal arrangements frequently result in incomplete documentation, delayed transfers, and confusion regarding custodial responsibility. In forty percent of reviewed cases, evidence deteriorated during the handover period due to inadequate packaging and storage instructions. The study further identifies insufficient inter-professional communication as a structural barrier to effective forensic handover. A draft protocol incorporating standardised documentation forms, sealed packaging requirements, and dual-signature verification is proposed. Recommendations include the adoption of this protocol by the Ogun State Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Police Force South West Command, with mandatory refresher training every two years. Keywords: forensic evidence handover, hospital-police coordination, Ogun State, medico-legal protocol, chain of custody.