What should be done to scent articles before packaging them for laboratory analysis?

Air-drying scent articles before packaging them for laboratory analysis is the correct approach because it helps to eliminate excess moisture that could lead to degradation or contamination of the evidence. Moisture can promote mold growth or compromise the integrity of biological samples by fostering conditions that can alter their scent profile, making them less reliable for subsequent analysis. Once air-dried, the scent articles can then be packaged properly to maintain their condition for forensic examination.

Other methods, such as storing in moisture-proof bags, freezing, or sealing in plastic containers, could interfere with the preservation of the scent and may not allow the necessary airflow that helps in drying out the articles completely. Each of these methods might also introduce their own issues, such as condensation in moisture-proof bags or potential damage from freezing. Thus, air-drying is the most effective method to prepare scent articles for analysis.