Physical Evidence in Forensic Science, Third Edition PDF eBook

Author: Howard A. Harris, Henry C. Lee ISBN-10: 1-930056-01-X ISBN-13: 978-1-930056-01-5 Copyright Date Ed: March 30, 2000 Pages: 324 PDF eBook This Third edition of the classic by America's leading forensic scientists gives you an insider's understanding of physical evidence at the crime scene. Written in an easy-to-understand format, this outstanding guide, by the nation’s foremost forensic scientists, introduces you to the basics of crime scene evaluation. They teach you excellent ways to make your investigation solid and successful. This extensive resource is packed with valuable information about the details of collecting, storing, and analyzing all types of physical evidence. You’ll learn how to connect the victim(s) and suspect(s) to the crime scene, and to the physical evidence left behind. They also instruct you on how to use this information to provide convincing testimony based on scientific facts. The book is divided into three parts plus appendices for easy access to the information you need. Part I offers an overview of forensic science and discusses the future path of forensic science and its applications in the courtroom and society. Part II gives you an exhaustive list of physical evidence typically left behind at crime scenes and explains the correct methods for processing this evidence. Part III discusses current issues in search and seizure, and how to effectively utilize it in court. The appendices discuss common blood screening test reagents and how to use the druggist’s fold for sealing evidence in paper. This in-depth reference provides you with a wealth of details regarding many different topics including light, smoke, bullet identification, transient and pattern evidence, postmortem lividity marks and other special imprints and indentations, odors, wet versus dry blood samples, crime scene reconstruction techniques, and recognition and coordination of all elements of the crime scene during and after investigation. This new edition of a classic is a must have for all crime scene investigators, law enforcement agencies, trial lawyers, and others involved in the investigative process. Topics include: Introduction to forensic science Arson Bite marks Blood and body fluids Bombs and explosives Computers and electronic data as evidence Chemical substances Crime scene reconstruction DNA analyses Documents Drugs and controlled substances Firearms Fibers Fingerprints Glass Gunshot residue Hair Imprint and impression evidence Fingerprints Paints Pattern evidence Plastics Sexual assault and sex crime evidence Soil Tape Toolmarks Video evidence Voice identification Legal aspects of forensic science Some screening test reagents The druggist's fold Table of Contents Chapter 1: Physical Evidence in Forensic Science 1.1 Types of Physical Evidence at Crime Scenes A. Transient Evidence B. Pattern Evidence C. Conditional Evidence D. Trace and Transfer Evidence E. Associative Evidence 1. Classification by type of crime 2. Classification by type of material 3. Classification by general nature of the evidence 4. Classification by the type of question to be resolved 5. Classification according to the way evidence was produced 6. Classification according to the specific type of evidence 1.2 Stages in the Analysis of Physical Evidence and Types of Interpretation A. Recognition B. Identification C. Classification D. Individualization E. Reconstruction 1.3 Role of Physical Evidence in Investigation and Resolution of Criminal Activity A. Information on the Corpus Delicti B. Information on the Modus Operandi C. Linking a Suspect with a Victim D. Linking a Person to a Crime Scene E. Disproving or Supporting a Witness’ Testimony F. Identification of a Suspect G. Providing Investigative Leads H. Identification of a Substance Chapter 2: Introduction to Forensic Science 2.1 Criminalistics A. Forensic Drug Analysis B. Forensic Chemistry C. Analysis of Trace or Transfer Evidence D. Firearms Examination E. Latent Fingerprints F. Forensic Serology G. DNA Analysis H. Impression Evidence I. Questioned Document Examination 2.2 Other Forensic Science Specializations A. Forensic Medicine B. Forensic Anthropology C. Forensic Odontology D. Forensic Toxicology E. Forensic Entomology F. Forensic Engineering G. Forensic Photography H. Forensic Accounting I. Digital Forensics (Computer Forensics) Chapter 3: Reconstruction 3.1 Types of Reconstruction 3.2 Crime Scene and Laboratory Procedures A. Recognition B. Identification C. Individualization D. Evidence for Laboratory Submission E. Crime Scene Examination F. Reconstruction 3.3 Stages of Reconstruction A. Data Collection B. Conjecture C. Hypothesis Formulation D. Testing E. Theory Formation 3.4 Team Concept in Reconstruction Chapter 4: Arson and Fire Evidence 4.1 Nature and Types of Physical Evidence at Fire Scenes A. Examination and Search of a Fire Scene 1. Documentation of the fire 2. Determination of the point of origin 3. Fire burn pattern interpretation 4. Other evidence B. Examination for Accelerant Residue 4.2 Collection and Preservation of Fire Scene Evidence A. Evidence Packaging 1. Metal cans 2. Glass jars 3. General guidelines B. Collection of Fire Debris Evidence 1. Accelerant evidence 2. Other evidence 4.3 Laboratory Analysis of Fire Debris A. Macroscopic Examination B. Liquid Sample Analysis 1. Gas chromatography (GC) 2. Infrared spectroscopy 3. GC-IR or GC-MS 4. Determination of physical properties 5. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) C. Solid Debris 1. Cold head space 2. Heated head space 3. Carbon tube or strip adsorption 4. Solvent extraction Chapter 5: Bite Marks 5.1 Documentation and Collection of Bite Mark Evidence A. Examination of the Bite Mark Area B. Photographic Documentation C. Swabbing the Bite Mark for Genetic Marker Testing D. Collection of Bite Mark Impressions on Human Skin E. Excision of Bite Marks 5.2 Analysis of Bite Mark Evidence A. Tracing Using a Photographic Negative B. Transparent Bite Mark Overlays C. Wax Bite and Powder-type Amalgam Test D. Direct Imprint of Tooth Marks on Human Skin E. Transillumination of Bite Marks F. Comparison of the Bite Mark with Known Samples G. Enhancement through Digital Imaging Technique Chapter 6: Blood 6.1 Collection of Blood Evidence A. Clothing B. Liquid Samples C. Dried Bloodstains D. Known Blood Standards E. Blood Patterns 6.2 Field Tests for Blood (Chemical Screening Tests) 6.3 Laboratory Examination of Blood Evidence A. Identification of Blood 1. Screening tests 2. Confirmatory tests B. Species Tests C. Blood Typing in Dried Bloodstains 1. Detection of ABO antibodies in serum (Lattes test) 2. Detection of blood group antigens 6.4 AIDS and Other Biohazards in Crime Scene Processing and Law Enforcement A. Biohazards 1. AIDS 2. Hepatitis 3. Other blood and body fluid-borne infectious agents B. General Precautionary Measures C. Specific Guidelines for Crime Scene Investigators Chapter 7: Body Fluids Other Than Blood 7.1 Collection and Preservation of Evidence A. Clothing B. Known Samples Collected from Victim or Suspect 1. Known saliva and DNA standards 2. Urine and/or fecal material 3. Vaginal materials 4. Nasal mucous C. Body Fluids or Tissues on Other Items 1. Foreign objects 2. Saliva 3. Bite mark evidence 4. Skin tissue 7.2 Laboratory Examination of Body Fluids A. Identification 1. Saliva 2. Urine 3. Fecal material 4. Gastric fluid 5. Perspiration 6. Epithelial cells and tissues B. Classification or Individualization 1. ABO blood group substances 2. Isoenzymes 3. DNA testing Chapter 8: Bombs and Explosives 8.1 Types of Explosives A. Low Explosives B. Primary High Explosives (Primer) C. Secondary High Explosives D. Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) 8.2 Collection of Explosives Evidence A. Location of the Origin of the Blast B. Documentation C. Collection of Physical Evidence D. Safety Considerations E. Packaging 8.3 Laboratory Analysis of Explosives A. Macroscopic Examination B. Microscopic Examination C. Extraction D. Chemical Tests 1. Chemical color tests 2. Microcrystal tests E. Thin Layer Chromatography F. Instrumental Analysis 1. Organic components 2. Inorganic components 3. Chromatography and Spectroscopy G. Explosives Tagging Program Chapter 9: Chemical Substances 9.1 Nature of Chemical Evidence A. Types of Chemical Evidence 1. Gas 2. Liquid 3. Solid B. Field Tests 9.2 Collection of Chemical Evidence A. General Considerations B. Packaging of Chemical Evidence 1. Packaged chemicals 2. Containers 3. Clothing 9.3 Laboratory Analysis of an Unknown Chemical A. Preliminary Examination 1. Physical state 2. Microscopic examination B. Chemical Tests 1. Solubility 2. Microchemical analysis 3. Chromatography—Separation Techniques C. Instrumental Techniques 1. Infrared spectroscopy 2. Ultraviolet (UV) and visible spectroscopy 3. Mass spectrometry (MS) 4. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) Chapter 10: Digital and Multimedia Evidence (Digital Forensics) 10.1 Collection of Computer Evidence 10.2 Processing of the Digital Evidence 10.3 Some Other Digital and Analog Devices Chapter 11: DNA Analysis 11.1 Nature of DNA Analysis A. Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) B. Types of DNA Analysis 1. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) 2. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) 11.2 Collection and Preservation of Evidence for DNA Analysis A. Evidence Suitable for DNA Analysis B. Collection of Biological Evidence 1. Documentation of evidence 2. Collection methods 11.3 Laboratory Analysis of DNA Evidence A. RFLP Analysis 1. Some terms used in describing RFLP analysis 2. Forensic RFLP analysis B. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) 1. Basis of PCR analysis methods 2. Sex determination by STR 3. Y-STR Analysis 4. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) 5. Non-human DNA Chapter 12: Questioned Document Examination 12.1 Types of Document Evidence Examinations A. Handwriting Comparisons B. Comparison of Writing Materials C. Determination if a Document Has Been Altered D. Determination of Common Origin or “Authorship” E. Reconstruction 12.2 Collection and Preservation of Document Evidence A. Questioned Evidence Samples B. Requested Known Standards (Often Subject to Court Order) 12.3 Laboratory Examination of Document Evidence A. Analysis of Writing Materials B. Handwriting Analysis C. Typewriting and Printer Analysis D. Alterations E. Printing and Photocopying F. Indented Writing G. Charred Documents H. Determination of Document Age I. Visible Microspectrophotometry J. Video Spectral Comparator (VSC) K. Image Enhancement Chapter 13: Drugs and Controlled Substances 13.1 Types of Drug Evidence A. Definition B. Classification of Forensic Drug Evidence 1. Opiates (analgesics) 2. Stimulants 3. Hallucinogens 4. Depressants 5. Athletic performance enhancers 13.2 Collection of Drug Evidence A. Blood Samples B. Urine Samples C. Plant Material D. Powders, Tablets, and Capsules E. Drug Paraphernalia 13.3 Investigation of Clandestine Laboratories A. General Guidelines B. Safety Guidelines 1. Chemical hazards 2. Biological hazards C. Chemicals 13.4 Laboratory Examination of Drug Evidence A. Macroscopic Analysis B. Chemical Tests C. Microscopic Analysis 1. Microscopic examination of seized materials 2. Microcrystal tests D. Thin Layer Chromatography E. Instrumental Analysis 1. Infrared spectroscopy (IR) 2. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) 3. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) Chapter 14: Fibers 14.1 Nature of Fiber Evidence A. Natural Fibers B. Synthetic Fibers C. Derived or Regenerated Fibers 14.2 Collection and Preservation of Fiber Evidence A. Manual Collection B. Vacuum C. Tape Lift D. Mechanical Dislodgment E. Packaging Fiber Evidence 1. Material recovered from vacuum processing 2. Individual fibers 3. Other fiber evidence 14.3 Laboratory Examination of Fibers A. Physical Match B. Microscopic Examination C. Microchemical Tests D. Determination of Physical Properties E. Polarized Light Microscopy F. Instrumental Methods Chapter 15: Fingerprints 15.1 Nature and Classification of Fingerprint Patterns A. Fingerprint Patterns 1. Loop 2. Arch 3. Whorl B. Types of Fingerprints 1. Inked fingerprints 2. Visible (patent) prints 3. Plastic prints 4. Latent prints 15.2 Collection and Preservation of Fingerprint Evidence A. Dusting of Nonporous Surfaces B. Alternate Processing Methods 1. The “super glue wand” for cyanoacrylate fuming 2. Alternate light source C. General Recommendations D. Collection of Fingerprint Evidence Not Processed at the Scene 1. Items transported to the laboratory 2. Post-mortem fingerprints 15.3 Laboratory Examination of Latent Prints Evidence A. Processing of Physical Evidence for Latent Fingerprints 1. Powder dusting 2. Iodine fuming 3. Ninhydrin and ninhydrin analogues 4. Physical Developer 5. Fluorescent reagents 6. “Super glue” method 7. Alternate processing methods B. Development of Latent Prints on Skin 1. Iodine-silver method 2. Cyanoacrylate fuming and laser/alternative light source detection 3. Decomposed bodies C. Comparison of Fingerprints D. Fingerprint Classification Systems E. Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS) 1. Types of AFIS systems 2. Use of AFIS Chapter 16: Firearms 16.1 The Nature of Firearms Evidence A. Barrel 1. Rifled barrel 2. Smooth-bore barrel 3. Caliber B. Components of the Firing Mechanism C. Ammunition (See Figure 16.1) 1. Projectiles 2. Jacket 3. Cartridge case 4. Primer 5. Powder 16.2 Collection of Firearms Evidence A. Documentation B. Collection of Weapons C. Collection of Bullets and Cartridge Cases D. Evidence Requiring Special Handling 1. Loaded firearms 2. Weapons in water 3. Bullets 4. Firearm adjustment or testing 16.3 Laboratory Examination of Firearms Evidence A. Information Obtained from Firearms Evidence (See Table 16.1) B. Examination for Identification (Individualization) 1. Bullet comparisons 2. Cartridge case comparisons Chapter 17: Glass 17.1 Nature of Glass Evidence A. Stability B. Composition C. Patterns 17.2 Documentation and Collection of Glass Evidence A. Documentation of Glass Fracture Patterns B. Reconstruction of Glass Evidence C. Collection of Glass Evidence 17.3 Laboratory Analysis of Glass Evidence A. Types of Examinations Conducted B. Methods of Examinations 1. Macroscopic examination 2. Physical match 3. Glass chemical and physical properties C. Glass Fracture Patterns 1. Determination of the direction of force 2. Determination of the sequence of multiple fractures 3. Direction of travel of the break Chapter 18: Gunshot Residue 18.1 Source of Gunshot Residue A. Primer B. Propellant (Powder) 1. Black powder 2. Smokeless powder (virtually all modern cartridges use smokeless powder) C. Lubricants D. Metallic Materials 18.2 Collection of Gunshot Residue A. GSR Collection Kits 1. Adhesive discs 2. Swabs B. Gunshot Residue on Other Items of Evidence 18.3 Laboratory Analysis of Gunshot Residue A. Microscopic Analysis B. Chemical Tests for Nitrates and Nitrites C. Detection of Primer Residues 1. Microchemical tests 2. Atomic absorption (AA) or Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) Spectroscopic techniques 3. Scanning electron microscope/energy dispersive x-ray analysis (SEM-EDX) 4. Neutron activation analysis (NAA) 5. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometer (GC/MS) 6. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) 7. Micellar electrokinetic capillary electrophoresis (MECE) D. GSR Pattern Analysis 1. Direct contact 2. Close range (1–6 inches) 3. Medium range (1-1/2 to 4 feet) 4. Long range (greater than 4 feet) 5. Use of Greiss reagent and sodium rhodizinate reagent Chapter 19: Hair 19.1 Characteristics of Hairs A. Nature of Hair B. Microscopic Characteristics of Hair 1. Cuticle 2. Medulla 3. Cortex 19.2 Collection and Preservation of Hair Evidence A. Collection of Evidentiary Hair Samples B. Collection of Known Hair Standards 19.3 Laboratory Examination and Comparison of Hairs A. Identification B. Microscopic Examination and Comparison of Hairs C. Instrumental Techniques 1. Neutron activation analysis (NAA) 2. Pyrolysis GC D. Genetic Markers in Hairs 1. ABO grouping of hair 2. Sexing of hair 3. DNA analysis Chapter 20: Imprint and Impression Evidence 20.1 Nature of Imprint and Impression Evidence A. Imprint (Residue) Prints B. Impression Prints 20.2 Collection and Preservation of Imprint or Impression Evidence A. Documentation of Imprint and Impression Evidence B. Collection of Residue Imprint Evidence 1. Movable or removable objects 2. Large items or immovable evidence C. Collection of Impression Evidence D. Collection of Known Standards 1. Shoes 2. Tires 20.3 Laboratory Analysis of Imprint and Impression Evidence A. Determination of Class Characteristics B. Determination of Indi