Keyword: "evidence preservation"

A Practical Guide to Shooting Scene Preservation for Crime Scene Investigators
Charles S. DeFrance, Carlo J. Rosati
When a dedicated shooting reconstruction team is not immediately available, the first crime scene investigators on the scene need to properly document the condition of the scene and preserve evidence that will be needed for the reconstruction. This paper offers suggested guidelines for crime scene investigators to properly document and…
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Casting Two-Dimensional Bloody Shoe Prints from Concrete, Fabric, and Human Skin: A Review of Several Methods with Recommendations
Thomas W. Adair
The recognition of bloody footwear impressions at a crime scene is not an uncommon occurrence for the criminalist. Traditionally these impressions have been recorded by photography or videography either before and/or after chemical enhancement. Photography is an ideal method to begin with since it is considered to be non-destructive to…
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Preservation Methods and the Degradation of Dust Print Lifts
Marcy Hendricks
In this study, the author examined the different types of physical preservation methods for dust print lifts. Dust impressions were collected with Kinderprint’s electrostatic dust print lifter and documented at one week intervals with examination quality photography. Results indicated that storing dust print lifts taped to the top of cardboard…
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Touch DNA: Forensic Collection and Application to Investigations
Angela L. Williamson
Touch DNA refers to the DNA that is left behind from skin cells when a person touches or comes into contact with an item. However, since Touch DNA (also referred to as wearer or contact DNA) is invisible to the naked eye, and is usually deposited in smaller amounts than…
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