Evidence and It's Importance Unit 3 Creative Project

Elizabeth HallKaplan University

CJ210 Criminal InvestigationJoseph ReynoldsNovember 3 2009

Gathering Fingerprint Evidence

Question

• What are the main types of evidence, and what is their importance to the investigative

process?

Crime Scene Tool Kit

Types of Evidence, and the Techniques Used for Collection

Evidence is predominantly grouped into two categories which can then be broken down

into subgroups:• Physical Evidence also known as "real

evidence.- "Locard's Exchange Theory: every

contact leaves a trace". (DNA Initiative, 2008)• Testimonial Evidence is statements, or oral

facts given to investigators by witnesses, informants, or victims.

Evidence Collection ID Tag

Types of Evidence, and the Techniques Used for Collection

Continued

Physical Evidence • Fingerprints- Collected with a variety of tapes, powders, chemicals, and glues using the contrast

technique.• Firearms- Bullet casings, striation marks and

spent cartridges, these are collected with tweezers and sealed in an evidence container

• Trace Evidence- Hairs, fibers, and particulate material, collected by shaking, sifting, tape lifting,

or vacuuming.

Fingerprint- Green Magnetic Powder

Types of Evidence, and the Techniques Used for Collection

Continued 2

Biological Specimen Kit

Physical Evidence 2• Biological evidence-

• Document evidence- Letters, papers, handwriting samples collected, and sealed in evidence containers

Physical evidence, properly collected, documented, and analyzed is:

• more reliable than testimonial evidence, • known as the silent witness

• can corroborate witness statements• help investigators reconstruct the crime

• is completely objective • can help to prove or disprove innocence. (DNA Initiative.

(2008))

Types of Evidence, and the Techniques Used for Collection

Continued 3

Testimonial Evidence• Testimonial evidence includes signed statements,

videos, and audio recordings. • Can be gathered in various places, for example:

the police station, a person's home, a hospital, or anywhere an officer can talk to or ask a person

questions.• Is collected with the use of paper, pens, video

equipment, or audio equipment.

Photographic Barrier Filter

Evidence Examination

Once evidence is collected, it must be developed and examined using various types of equipment and

chemicals.

• Fingerprints-developed and examined using the contrast method, and fuming methods, comparison

to known prints, and fingerprint microscopes.• Firearms and tool striations- developed and examined using morphology, spectrophotometers,

mass spectrographs, and various magnifying instruments

• Trace Evidence- developed and examined using tapes, filters, spectrometers, high resolution lenses,

various microscopes, spectrographs, x-ray diffraction, neutron activation, and chromatography

instruments

Cyanoacrylate Fuming

Chamber

Evidence Examination 2

Blood Spatter Tool Kit

Biological evidence is developed and examined in different ways depending on the material

• DNA- short tandem repeat (STR) testing• Blood- Leuco-Malachite Green Test, Luminol,

Reduced Phenolphthalein Test, Tetramethyl Benzidine Test, Hemin Crystal Test, Precipitin

Test, Blood Group Test, and DNA tests, Spatter Trajectory TestsBiological evidence can definitively tie a suspect to a crime, since

no two person's DNA is the same with the exception of some twins.

Evidence Examination 3

• Document Evidence is developed and examined in numerous ways, by experts in forgery,

handwriting, fingerprints, paper, and ink, using fuming, microscopes, magnifiers, chemicals,

spectrometers, chromatographs, and spectrophotometers

• Testimonial evidence is examined with polygraph tests, voice analysis, body language, and the

skills developed by the investigator.

Fingerprints-Check developed with Ninhydrin

Information from Evidence

Information found through investigation can:• "Identify a substance, object, or instrument"

• "Link suspect to crime and or victim"• "Reconstruct the crime"• "Protect the innocent"

• "Provide expert testimony" (Osterburg & Ward 2007)• Fingerprints- can definitively identify a suspect, and place them at the scene

of the crime because no two people have the same fingerprint whirls, arches, loops, dots, ridge endings, bifurcations, short ridges, enclosures,

bridges, spurs, or trifurcation ridge endings• Firearms, shoes, and tools develop individualized striations from use or

manufacture that can positively identify them as being at the scene, or help to reconstruct the scene using morphology

Fingerprint- Orange Fluorescent Fingerprint Powder

Contamination Issues

• The rules of Locard's Law applies to everyone, not just suspects, victims and witnesses

• Environmental issues such as rain, heat, wind can contaminate or cause the evidence to erode, deteriorate,

or disappear• For witness corroboration, people can forget details

• Too many people in the crime scene area• Improper packaging or storage

Tamper Resistant Evidence Bag

Relevant Issues

The sciences of evidence have come a long way in a few short years. While there are still issues concerning the reliability of the science

behind the results, the advanced use of science has proved to be an invaluable tool in

the protection of those who are innocent

Wheel used to mark off crime scene

References

Shoeprint lifted with gel

• The DNA Initiative. (2008). Crime Scene and DNA Basics for Forensic Analysis Retrieved from the World Wide Web October 30, 2009 http://dna.gov/training/evidence

• Evident Crime Scene Products (2009) Quality Products Delivered. Retrieved from the World Wide Web October 30, 2009.

http://www.evidentcrimescene.com/cata/photo/photo.html

• Osterburg and Ward. (2007). Criminal Investigation: A Method for Reconstructing the Past. Fifth Edition. Pages 25 – 106. Copyright

© 2007 Matthew Bender & Company, Inc. Licensed to Kaplan University in Agreement with LexisNexis Anderson Publishing

• www.shutterstock.com- 93154 (n.d.) Chalk Body Outline Retrieved from the World Wide Web October 30, 2009

• Michael Jackson (2006) Smooth Criminal. Smooth Criminal albumn released 2006