Forensic Science and Criminal Justice MSc (Distance Learning)
ASSESSMENT 1: TRACE EVIDENCE ANALYSIS (CH7202)
Student: Gan Sze Tan (Yanzhi Chen)
Student I.D. No: 169032116
Tutor: Dr. Alex Goddard
2016
(999 words)
1
Q) Critically evaluate whether comparison evidence types continue to have a valid role in the forensic investigation of volume crime such as burglary and vehicle offences.
1. Introduction
The application of scientific techniques and methods in forensic science has been widely used in the reconstruction of various crimes such as burglary and motor-vehicle offences. In other words, forensic science can be described as the partner in crime investigations, as it is a fundamental procedure in the successful prosecution of the offenders.
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Hence, it should continue to have a valid role in the forensic investigation of volume crimes.
4. References
1. Balwin, D., Birkett, J., Facey, O. and Rabey, G. (2013) Essential Forensic Science: The forensic examination and interpretation of tool marks. 1st edn. West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell.
2. Crime Scene Investigator Network (2000 - 2016) Fingerprint Ridge Patterns and Characteristics. Available at: http://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/FingerprintRidgePatternsAndCharacteristics.html (Accessed: 22 October 2016).
3. Dutta, P. (2012) ‘Complete information on 9 different types of glasses’, Preserve Article. Available at: http://www.preservearticles.com/201012291928/glass-types.html (Accessed: 29 October 2016).
4. Higgins, R.A. (1997) Materials for the Engineering Technician. 3rd edn. London: John Wiley & Sons.
5. Jackson, A.R.W. and Jackson, J.M. (2011) Forensic Science. 3rd edn. Harlow: Pearson Prentice Hall.
6. Leed Forensic Systems (2016) Discovery firearms & tool marks comparison microscope. Available at: http://www.leedsmicro.com/Discovery%20WEB.pdf (Accessed: 5 November
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Rao, D. (2013) Dr. Dinesh Rao’s Forensic Pathology: Hair. Available at: http://forensicpathologyonline.com/e-book/crime-scene/hair (Downloaded: 6 November 2016).
13. Raut, S. (2008) Forensic Science: Glass. Available at: http://www.santoshraut.com/forensic/glass.fractures.htm (Accessed: 29 October 2016).
14. Renee Blake (2013) Hair and Fiber video lecture. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2iO6CGxwcU (Accessed: 31 October 2016).
15. Sapp, B. (2004) ‘Unit 5-Hair & Fiber’, bsapp.com. Available at: http://bsapp.com/forensics_illustrated/text.htm & http://bsapp.com/forensics_illustrated/pppresentations.htm (Accessed: 1 November 2016).
16. Tiwari, P. (2016) ‘Major physical characteristics of racial groups’, Geographynotes.com. Available at: http://www.geographynotes.com/human-geography/major-physical-characteristics-of-racial-groups/1012 (Accessed: 20 October 2016).
17. Wargacki, S.P., Lewis, L.A. & Dadmun, M.D. (2008) ‘Enhancing the quality of aged latent fingerprints developed by superglue fuming: Loss and replenishment of initiator’, Journal of Forensic Science, 53(5), pp. 1138-1144.
18. Wikipedia (2016) Combined DNA Index System. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combined_DNA_Index_System (Accessed: 25 October
The blood of the unknown person became apparent through comparing the blood type found at the crime scene with the contrasting blood types of the suspects. The blood identified at the crime scene could have possibly belonged to Anna Garcia or Erica Piedmont. This observation was based on the information that the blood type found at the crime scene was type A and these two individuals are the only ones that carry that specific type. In similarity, a microscopic photography was taken of the unknown hair follicle found at the crime scene. Then hair samples were taken from the potential suspects, and the victim. These findings were then compared. This was done by looking at each individuals hair follicles and comparing it with the unknown one. By looking at the similarities and differences in medulla diameter, the discovery of the unknown hair follicle became established that it belonged to Anna Garcia. Further examination resulted in the analyzation of a shoe print found at the crime scene. Shoe patterns and sizes were taken from each suspect, including the victims. They were then identified and compared to the one found at the crime scene. By looking at the distinct pattern, size, and the fact that both shoes were a Columbia brand sneaker it became obvious that the shoe print was extremely similar to Anna’s shoe design. Through this found evidence it became
Crime scenes are known to have many clues left behind. The obvious would be a the body or bodies, clothing, and sometimes even the murder weapon. While these are great way to solve a case there's another kind of evidence; trace evidence. Trace evidence are small pieces of evidence that are laying around a crime scene. There are many types of trace evidence some of them include metal filings, plastic fragments, gunshot residue, glass fragments, feathers, food stains, building materials, lubricants, fingernail scrapings, pollens and spores, cosmetics, chemicals, paper fibers and sawdust, human and animal hairs, plant and vegetable fibers, blood and other body fluids, asphalt or tar, vegetable fats and oils, dusts and other airborne particles, insulation, textile fibers, soot, soils and mineral grains, and explosive residues. Although these are the most common found elements, they are not the only ones. The Trace Evidence Unit is known to examine the largest variety of evidence types and used the biggest range of analytical methods of any unit. materials are compared with standards or knowns samples to determine whether or not they share any common characteristics. In this paper I will discuss the different kinds of trace evidence and how crime scene investigaros use it to solve cases and convict criminal.
“Advance in Forensics Provide Creative Tools for Solving Crimes.” www.ctcase.org. Np. n.d. Web. 17 March 2014.
In today’s time, modern Crime Scene Investigation has increased rapidly. From throughout the late 1900’s and in the early 2000’s (Taylor 1). For all of the evidence that they find, a solid foundation has formed over the thousands of years of Crime Scene
Forensic evidence can provide just outcomes in criminal matters. However, it is not yet an exact science as it can be flawed. It can be misrepresented through the reliability of the evidence, through nonstandard guidelines, and through public perception. Forensic science can be dangerously faulty without focus on the ‘science’ aspect. It can at times be just matching patterns based on an individual’s interpretations. This can lead to a miscarriage of justice and forever alter a person’s life due to a perceived “grey area” (Merritt C, 2010) resulting in a loss of confidence in the reliability of forensic evidence.
Review, PubMed PMID: 19543886. Saferstein, R. (2011). Criminalistics: An introduction to forensic science (10th Ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
Saferstein, R 2011, Criminalistics: an introduction to forensic science, 10th edn, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ, p. 43
...A. Maria, Ruth M. Robin. (2009). Latent prints: a perspective on the state of the science. Forensic Science Communications. 11.4.
Andrus, R., Bailey, J., Sprague, T., Springer, F., Tulleners, F., Wiersema, S., et al. (n.d.). Crime Scene
Works Cited Universiy of Manchester. " Forensic Magazine." Forensic Magazine. N.p., 26 July 2013. Web.
Gaensslen, R. E., Harris, H A., & Lee, H. (2008). Introduction to Forensic Science and Criminalistics. New York, NY: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. .
Forensic Science, recognized as Forensics, is the solicitation of science to law to understand evidences for crime investigation. Forensic scientists are investigators that collect evidences at the crime scene and analyse it uses technology to reveal scientific evidence in a range of fields. Physical evidence are included things that can be seen, whether with the naked eye or through the use of magnification or other analytical tools. Some of this evidence is categorized as impression evidence2.In this report I’ll determine the areas of forensic science that are relevant to particular investigation and setting out in what method the forensic science procedures I have recognized that would be useful for the particular crime scene.
Hair is an important part of our body. It can be found anywhere and can be a useful evidence in forensic science. It consists of three layers, namely cuticle, cortex and medulla. Cuticle- is a covering that consists of hard scales made of keratin, which is a protein approaching tip ends of the hair. There are three types of cuticle: coronal, imbricated and spinous types. Cortex consists of stretched out beam shaped cells, buried with pigment granules for hair to cede with color and is the main body of the hair shaft. It may also contain pigment granula, ovoid bodies and cortical fusi (Wright, 2008). Furthermore, medulla can be categorized into continuous, fragmental, absent and interrupted types. If medulla
The transitional growth in the forensic science sector has not been without challenges. Though the world has experienced increased capabilities and scientific knowledge, which has led to faster investigations and results, many forensic experts have argued that forensic laboratory testing, in the light of 21st century technological advancements, is yet to meet the expected rate in quick available testing and analysis (Mennell & Shaw, 2006). This is with respect to the growing rate of crime and the high demand of quick crime scene testing and analysis. In the science of crime scene, analysis and interpretation of evidence is majorly dependent on forensic science, highlighting the change in the role of forensic sciences (Tjin-A-Tsoi, 2013). In the business of forensic science, time is beginning to play important role in the evidence testing and analysis which is becoming crucial in reducing ...
Forensic science has now been recognized as an important part of the law enforcement team to help solve crimes and cold cases. The advances in technology are being used each day and we must continue to strive to develop better advances in this field. The recent discovery of using DNA in criminal cases has helped not only positively identify the suspect, but it has helped exonerate hundreds of innocent individuals. “With new advances in police technology and computer science, crime scene investigation and forensic science will only become more precise as we head into the future.” (Roufa, 2017) Forensic science and evidence helps law enforcement officials solve crimes through the collection, preservation and analysis of evidence. By having a mobile crime laboratory, the scene gets processed quicker and more efficiently. Forensic science will only grow in the future to be a benefit for the criminal justice