It is not just in the United States - Stolen Evidence

CRIME scene items seized by cops, including cash and drugs, have mysteriously vanished.

Jewelry, forensic samples, phones, CCTV clips and clothing are also among the missing potential evidence.

They are meant to be safe in case they are required to prosecute crooks. But Police Scotland has now admitted there were 65 recorded instances of them disappearing last year and at least 19 so far this year.

Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary Russell Findlay said: "Missing evidence could result in trials collapsing and criminals cheating justice

"When this happens, victims should be given a full explanation." Among the missing items are two batches of cash, 11 drug lots, nine forensic samples, seven confiscated mobile phones and four CCTV extracts.

Other missing productions from the period include three lots of valuables/jewellery, four sets of documents, five clothing items and 20 items listed as "other".

Managers are meant to check that items have been packaged appropriately and labelled fully and accurately.

Those such as cash, potentially valuable items, drugs and firearms are meant to be stored in a safe or suitable secure cabinet.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: "Discrepancies identified represent less than one per cent of items seized and are the result of human error.

"However, on the rare occasion that any discrepancies arise, these are noted and investigated in accordance with our robust procedures which are aimed at maintaining the security and integrity of evidence as part of the criminal justice process."