Which statement about glove use in scene work is true?

• A. Gloves should be changed only after wearing out
• B. Gloves should be changed before every touch
• C. Gloves should be disinfected between touches without removal
• D. Gloves can be reused indefinitely

Answer: (B)

The key idea is preventing cross-contamination and preserving evidence integrity by changing gloves before each new contact. Gloves can pick up residues, trace materials, or DNA from one item, and even if they look okay, micro-tears or unseen contamination can transfer when you touch the next item. Using a fresh pair for every touch minimizes that risk and follows standard scene-work practice for evidence handling. Disposable gloves are intended for single use, so swapping them between touches keeps each interaction as clean as possible.

Changing gloves only after they wear out ignores how easily contaminants can transfer or be introduced, and disinfecting gloves between touches isn’t reliable and can compromise glove integrity. Reusing gloves indefinitely is clearly inappropriate for maintaining a clean, defensible scene.