How should loose paint chips be collected from a scene?

Loose paint chips should be collected using tweezers, forceps, or wooden tongs because these tools allow for precise handling of small evidence without causing damage or contamination. This method ensures that the integrity of the paint chips is maintained, which is critical for forensic analysis. Since paint chips can hold valuable trace evidence, such as the paint composition or any impressions that might provide clues regarding the context of a crime, careful collection is paramount.

Using hands might introduce oil, dirt, or other contaminants that could affect the sample during analysis, diminishing its value as evidence. A vacuum could potentially collect paint chips, but it may also result in the loss of smaller or lighter particles that get sucked into the vacuum bag or filter, making it a less reliable method for preserving the specific evidence you want. Scraping paint chips off a surface could damage the chips themselves, altering their composition or appearance, which is also undesirable for forensic purposes. Therefore, using tweezers, forceps, or wooden tongs is the optimal choice for collecting loose paint chips at a crime scene.