In the field of law enforcement and public safety, proper evidence management is critical. Handling, storing, and preserving evidence requires more than just space—it demands security, chain-of-custody integrity, and organizational efficiency. Mishandling or misplacing evidence can compromise investigations, hinder prosecutions, and impact justice.

This is why modern law enforcement agencies, crime labs, and public safety departments rely on evidence lockers designed specifically to address these challenges. At Bradford Systems, we understand that no two departments or facilities are the same. That’s why we offer a complete line of evidence storage solutions—from short-term temporary lockers to long-term archival storage and refrigerated evidence lockers—tailored to streamline evidence intake, secure sensitive materials, and improve workflow efficiency.

In this blog, we’ll explore the different types of evidence lockers provided by Bradford Systems and how they help law enforcement agencies maintain evidence integrity while increasing productivity.

Why Proper Evidence Storage Matters

Before diving into the locker systems, it’s essential to understand why evidence storage is so critical:

• Maintaining Chain of Custody: Evidence must be accounted for at every step, from collection to trial.
• Preventing Contamination & Tampering: Sensitive items require secure, controlled environments.
• Compliance & Accountability: Police departments and public safety agencies are held to strict evidence storage protocols.
• Operational Efficiency: Poorly organized evidence rooms can slow down investigations and increase the risk of errors.

Bradford Systems’ evidence lockers are designed to eliminate these challenges, ensuring that every piece of evidence is secure, accessible, and well-preserved.

Short-Term Evidence Lockers

Short-term evidence lockers are designed to provide a secure chain of custody during the initial transfer of evidence. These lockers are typically located in accessible, controlled areas of police departments, ensuring that evidence can be deposited immediately after collection.

Pass-Thru Evidence Lockers

Pass-thru lockers are installed between a public-facing area and a secure evidence room. This design allows officers to deposit evidence without entering the storage room and enables evidence technicians to retrieve it from the other side without compromising security.

Key Features:

• Dual-access doors: One door for evidence deposit, another for technician retrieval.
• Tamper-proof locks and construction.
• Variety of compartment sizes for different evidence types.
• Customizable options including refrigeration modules and hanging rod compartments.
• Integrated with audit trail options for tracking.

Benefits:

• Maintains an unbroken chain of custody.
• Minimizes personnel traffic in secure storage areas.
• Improves workflow by allowing evidence deposit without technician assistance.

Ideal for: Police stations, courthouses, public safety departments.

Non-Pass-Thru Evidence Lockers

Non-pass-thru lockers are ideal for facilities where space constraints or security protocols don’t allow pass-thru installation. Officers deposit evidence into the lockers from the same side that evidence technicians retrieve it.

Key Features:

• Single-sided access with self-closing, lockable doors.
• Optional refrigerated compartments for biological evidence.
• Customizable locker sizes and configurations.
• Integration with digital access systems to log every deposit and retrieval.

Benefits:

• Ideal for smaller departments or satellite stations.
• Simple, streamlined deposit and retrieval process.
• Improves efficiency without compromising security.

Ideal for: Small law enforcement offices, field offices, and temporary storage.

Long-Term Evidence Lockers

While short-term lockers facilitate initial evidence intake, long-term evidence lockers are essential for storing evidence for extended periods, sometimes years, until cases are resolved or the evidence is legally cleared.

Lockable Records Storage Drawers

Bradford Systems offers lockable drawer storage designed to organize and protect documents, files, and small evidence items.

Key Features:

• High-capacity steel drawers with individual locks.
• Available in various configurations for documents, digital media, and small items.
• Optional indexing systems to improve retrieval efficiency.

Benefits:

• Eliminates clutter and improves organization.
• Restricts unauthorized access.
• Increases productivity by making records easy to locate and manage.

Ideal for: Records storage rooms, digital media, small evidence handling.

Powered & Mechanical Assist Records Storage

For departments managing large volumes of evidence, powered and mechanical assist mobile storage systems allow for maximum capacity in minimal space.

Key Features:

• High-density mobile shelving mounted on tracks.
• Options for manual, mechanical-assist, or powered movement.
• Integrated security features including aisle locks, audit tracking, and access control.

Benefits:

• Increases storage capacity by up to 50%.
• Improves workflow efficiency by simplifying access and retrieval.
• Protects evidence from unauthorized access and environmental factors.

Ideal for: Large law enforcement agencies, county evidence storage, archival records.

Heavy-Duty Evidence Room Storage

Bradford Systems provides heavy-duty evidence storage solutions for bulky, oversized, or high-value items, such as firearms, narcotics, cash seizures, and large equipment.

Key Features:

• Reinforced steel construction for high-weight capacity.
• Custom-configured shelving and secure storage cages.
• Available with locking mesh doors and high-security locking systems.

Benefits:

• Secure storage of large and high-risk evidence.
• Supports compliance with state and federal storage regulations.
• Protects evidence from tampering, theft, or damage.

Ideal for: Evidence rooms handling large volumes of bulk or sensitive evidence.

Refrigerated Evidence Lockers

Biological and forensic evidence—such as DNA samples, blood vials, sexual assault kits, and tissue samples—requires temperature-controlled environments to maintain integrity.

Bradford Systems offers refrigerated evidence lockers to meet this critical need.

Bradford Systems offers refrigerated evidence lockers to meet this critical need.

Key Features:

• Self-closing, lockable compartments.
• Refrigerated and freezer temperature options.
• Integration with short-term or long-term locker systems.
• Optional pass-thru and non-pass-thru designs.

Benefits:

• Preserves biological evidence according to legal and forensic requirements.
• Maintains chain of custody with secure, logged access.
• Reduces risk of spoilage, contamination, or loss.

Ideal for: Police departments, crime labs, medical examiners’ offices.

Why Choose Bradford Systems for Evidence Storage?

With decades of experience serving public safety and law enforcement clients, Bradford Systems understands the unique demands of evidence management. Our solutions are:

• Durable and compliant with evidence storage protocols.
• Customizable to fit the size and scope of any department.
• Designed for maximum security and efficiency.
• Installed and supported by experts who understand the critical nature of evidence storage.

Whether you need a small set of non-pass-thru lockers for a satellite office or a fully integrated long-term storage system, Bradford Systems delivers evidence storage solutions that protect the chain of custody, reduce risk, and improve operational productivity.

Conclusion: Secure, Compliant, and Efficient Evidence Storage

Proper evidence storage is the backbone of effective law enforcement and criminal justice systems. Bradford Systems’ comprehensive range of short-term, long-term, and refrigerated evidence lockers ensures that agencies can meet the highest standards of evidence handling, security, and efficiency.

If your department is looking to upgrade, expand, or streamline its evidence management systems, Bradford Systems is your trusted partner in delivering tailored, high-performance solutions.

Contact Bradford Systems today to learn how our evidence storage solutions can help you maintain the chain of custody, reduce operational costs, and ensure justice is served.