Method and apparatus for collecting evidence

A method of collecting evidence from a crime scene or accident scene comprising:

• providing an evidence kit including a container and within the container is a sanitary pouch or wrapper into which is placed a substrate in the form of a wipe configured to remove a substance from a surface and wherein the sanitary pouch or wrapper includes a separate compartment containing a wetting agent isolated from the substrate by a frangible seal, and within the container is an evidence bag;
• opening the container and removing the sanitary pouch or wrapper;
• breaking the frangible seal to release the wetting agent and wet the substrate before contacting the surface, wherein wetting the substrate primes the substrate to detect a target analyte selected from opioids, amine-containing drugs, and xylazine;
• removing the substrate from the sanitary pouch or wrapper;
• contacting the surface with the substrate;
• collecting powder-evidence from the surface with the substrate;
• placing the substrate with collected powder-evidence thereon in the evidence bag;
• and
• sealing the evidence bag.