The FBI agents weren't authorized to enter the (evidence) room.

Eventually when the agents were allowed in, they said the room was in such disarray that it was impossible to determine if the evidence was in there. They also found packages of evidence addressed to the FBI that were never sent.
-- Valerie Collanton
former Assistant Attorney General

I am appalled.
-- Gerald Arenberg
Executive director of the National Association of Police Chiefs

The Police Department's control over confiscated property, including items held for evidentiary purposes, was inadequate.

Specifically, property storage areas were in disarray and were not adequately secured from unauthorized access, property records were incomplete and inaccurate, and confiscated property was not always transferred to property clerks by police officers. Items sent to the Forensics Division for analysis were also not sufficiently controlled or protected.
-- Inspector General's report
January 1994

Various police personnel who were not authorized to enter the property room had access to the key.
-- Inspector General's report
January 1994