Physical Evidence

Objects that can establish that a crime has been committed

Definition of Physical Evidence

Physical evidence encompasses any and all objects that can establish that a crime has been committed or can provide a link between a crime and its victim or a crime and its perpetrator.

Common Types of Physical Evidence

Blood, Semen, and Saliva these are subject to serological and biochemical analysis Documents any handwriting, typewriting, ink, indented writing, obliterations, burned or charred documents Drugs Explosives any device with an explosive charge and any item that may contain the explosive residue Fibers any fiber that may show cross-transfer between object and/or persons Fingerprints latent and visible

Common Types (cont.)

Firearms and Ammunition Glass particles that may show cross-transfer or panes that may have bullet holes Hair animal or human hair showing crosstransfer Impressions tire markings, shoe prints, depressions in soil, glove or fabric impressions, bite marks in skin or food Organs and Physiological Fluids body organs and fluids are tested for drugs and poisons Paint particles showing cross-transfer (auto accidents)

Common Types (cont.)

Petroleum Products gas residues from arson scenes, grease or oil stains Plastic bags usually for drug residues Plastic, Rubber or other Polymers- crosstransfer Powder Residues firearm discharge residues Serial Numbers stolen property submitted to lab for serial number restoration Soil and Minerals cross-transfer (esp. soil embedded in shoes)

Common Types (cont.)

Tool Marks any object suspected of having an impression of another tool in it (ex. crowbar may leave marks on a windowsill in a break-in) Vehicle Lights examination of vehicle lights can determine whether they were on or off at the time of impact Wood or other Vegetative Matter cross-transfer

Identification of a Substance

Identification process of determining a substances physical or chemical identity

Identification (cont.)

Drug analysis, species determination, and explosive residue analysis are typical tests performed to determine identity Common standard tests are used to determine identity. There are standard tests for most drugs, blood species of origin and explosive materials. Some materials can be determined with one test while others may require several tests

Comparison

Comparison--process of determining whether two or more objects have a common origin

Comparison Cont

Scientists will compare the control and suspect specimen to determine if they are the same This type of analysis can assist in placing a suspect at the scene Two-step Procedure:

combos of select properties of the control and suspect specimens are chosen for comparison once the examination is completed, the forensic scientist will render a conclusion as to how closely related the two specimens are

Comparison Cont

If any of the selected properties are not alike, the scientist will declare that the two items are not from the same source. However, if all of the selected properties match, they still may not be able to conclude that the two specimens are from the same source with 100% accuracy. Therefore, usually only the probability that two specimens came from the same source is given

Individual Characteristics

Individual Characteristics Properties of evidence that can be attributed to a common source with an extremely high degree of certainty

Individual Characteristics

Individual Characteristics

Individual Characteristics Cont

Examples: DNA, fingerprint ridges, grooves/striations on a bullet or toolmark, irregular and random wear patterns on tire or shoe impressions, handwriting characteristics, fitting together pieces of broken objects, matching the striations in sequentially made plastic bags, etc. ** The probability of two people having the same fingerprints is 0.00000000000000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000006.

Class Characteristics

Class Characteristics Properties of evidence that can only be associated with a group and never with a single source

Class Characteristics

Class Characteristics Cont

Examples: new factory painted cars with only two layers of paint, blood to a certain degree Uses of Class Characteristics are usually to corroborate the events with data that are free of human bias

Class v Individual Characteristics

Class or Individual?
DNA Evidence

Class or Individual?
Boot Print

Class or Individual?
Fiber Evidence

Class or Individual?
Fingerprint

Class or Individual?
Hair

Class or Individual?
Shotshell Casings