Final answer:
Responding officers should wear latex gloves when handling evidence to prevent contamination and protect themselves. This aligns with standard laboratory safety protocols, which require personal protective equipment and specific handling and disposal methods for hazardous materials.
Step-by-step explanation:
Latex gloves should indeed be worn at all times when responding officers handle evidence. This practice is part of maintaining safety protocols to prevent cross-contamination of evidence and to protect officers from potential biohazards.
Similar protocols are enforced in laboratory settings, where the use of gloves, safety glasses, or goggles, and proper disposal of these items in biohazard garbage are mandatory. Moreover, when dealing with potentially contaminated specimens or equipment, the use of a protective coat, face protection, and cut-resistant gloves is required, and there are specific procedures for washing any skin that comes into contact with contaminants.
In addition, it's essential for personnel to handle all broken glass with tools rather than bare hands, minimizing the risk of injury. These safety measures ensure the well-being of law enforcement and lab personnel alike while preserving the integrity of the evidence and experiments.