• Gloves- Use gloves to handle any potential evidence or sample to be examined.
• Dry- Gently dry any wet areas as quickly as possible.
• Ease Transitions- Rapid temperature changes can alter evidence. If evidence must be brought from a cool environment to a warmer environment (or vice versa), ease the transition by wrapping in cloth so it can acclimate slowly.
• Take Pictures- Always take pictures of the item in its original location, after it’s removed, and after it’s been prepared.
• Don’t touch a fracture – If an item contains a fracture, take care to not touch it directly.
• Wrap- It’s a good idea to wrap evidence in plastic to preserve it as well as possible.

Vista typically accepts jobs along two tracks:

Industrial & Laboratory-

• Initial contact and consultation with the potential client.
• Quote is provided for services to be performed.
• Client provides a purchase order and, in some cases, a partial payment.
• Work is completed and reports of findings are issued within an agreed upon timeframe.

Litigation & Expert Witness-

• Initial contact and consultation with the potential client.
• Engagement contract and fee applies to new cases.
• Research, examination, imaging, modeling, and other methods are used as appropriate to investigate a case.
• Written reports, depositions, and testimony are provided as needed.
• Once closed, evidence can be returned or disposed of as directed.