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Crime scene sketches must include
Objects in the room
Location of evidence
Directional north
The date, time, location
Case number
Direct evidence
Refers to any piece of evidence that stands alone to prove an assertion, often in the form of the testimony of witnesses or eyewitness accounts
Circumstantial evidence
Indirect evidence that does not, on its face, prove a fact in issue but gives rise to a logical inference that the fact exists. Circumstantial evidence requires drawing additional reasonable inferences in order to support the claim
Trace evidence
Created when objects make contact, and material is transferred
Examples of direct evidence
When a person testifies that they saw an accused commit a crime
When a person heard another person say a certain word or words, or observed a certain act take place
Examples of circumstantial evidence
Physical evidence (fingerprints, hair, blood)
Human behavior
Indirect witness testimony
Scientific evidence
A suspect in a crime was seen by a witness fleeing the scene on foot after a convenience store robbery
Is a combination of circumstantial evidence enough to convict someone?
Yes
Which is stronger direct witnesses or circumstantial evidence?
Direct witnesses
Examples of trace evidence
Fibers
Hair
Soil
Wood
Gunshot residue
Pollen
Paint
Glass
Are fingerprints different on every single finger and toe?
Yes
What things create the individual characteristics of a fingerprint?
Ridge patterns
Minutiae
Do fingerprint stay the same your whole life?
Yes, apart from damages caused by scars or disease
Core
Delta
Ulnar loop
Radial loop
Plain whorl
Central pocket loop whorl
Double loop whorl
Accidental whorl
Plain arch
Tented arch
What are latent fingerprints?
Traces of sweat, oil, or other natural secretions on the skin, and they are not ordinarily visible. Latent fingerprints can be made visible by dusting techniques when the surface is hard and by chemical techniques when the surface is porous
What are plastic fingerprints?
A fingerprint that has been pressed, molded, or shaped into something else, usually a softer material such as dirt, mud, or clay. The plastic prints definition can also be applied to softer surfaces found in the common household such as a bar of soap, wet paint, or wax
What are patent fingerprints?
Also known interchangeably as visible fingerprints, fingerprints that are left behind when an individual has some form of liquid (or powder, in some cases) on their fingers. The most common types of liquids associated with visible fingerprints include blood, ink, grease, and dirt
How are latent fingerprints collected?
Latent print fluorescence, dusting with fluorescent powders, staining with fluorescent dyes, and treatment with compounds such as fluorescamine can produce satisfactory prints
Chemicals: cyanoacrylate fuming
How are plastic fingerprints collected?
Usually photographed under oblique lighting that enhances the contrast of the ridges and furrows. These prints may also be preserved with silicone-type casting materials
How are patent fingerprints collected?
Using a fairly straightforward method: photography. These prints are photographed in high resolution with a forensic measurement scale in the image for reference
Bifurcation
Bridge
Eye/enclosure/lake
Ending ridge
Crossover
Dots/islands
Short ridge
Hook
Human vs. small animal hair: color variation
Human: Generally the same color from one end to another
Animal: Color can vary from tip to root
Human vs. small animal hair: root shape
Human: Club shaped
Animal: Can be spade shaped or frayed
Human vs. small animal hair: end shape
Human: May have split ends
Animal: Generally does not have split ends
Imbricate
Spinus
Coronal
Imbricate
Spinus
Coronal
What animals typically have imbricate cuticles?
Humans, some bats, some cats, some rodents
What animals typically have spinus cuticles?
Some cats, seals, mink, rabbits, some rodents
What animals typically have coronal cuticles?
Some bats, some cats, some rodents
Human medullary index is always ____ and animal medullary index is typically ____
Less than .3, greater than .3
What are the 3 parts of hair?
Cuticle, cortex and medulla
What evidence can you gather from hair?
Race
When it was dyed
Medullary index and pattern
Hair from different areas (type of crime)
The stage it is in (pulled out)
Cuticle patterns
Cortex color, thickness and texture
How can drugs be detected in hair follicles?
Since it is fed blood via blood vessels, hair follicles will retain detectable traces of blood (drugs content) for up to 90 days
What are the 3 hair phases?
Anagen, catagen, telogen