There are different ways law enforcement can prove evidence and the guilty with impression evidence. Latent (invisible) or patent (visible) prints that are used in criminal investigations are typically collected from crime scene specialists to reveal or extract fingerprints from any surface or objects with the use of chemical or physical methods. Fingerprints can be shown when they are taken from a crime scene where the crime was committed. Fingerprints and bite-mark evidence have similar traits to shoe prints and tire tracks that can be used in criminal investigations. There are a percentage of palm prints that must be left at the scene to make a comparison for valid evidence.
Fingerprints can be taken from a crime scene in various methods. Fingerprints are classified into three categories depending on the surface they are found. Fingerprints on soft surfaces are most likely to be three-dimensional plastic prints such as soap, wax, wet paint, fresh caulk, etc. (“A Simplified Guide To Fingerprint Analysis”, n.d). The fingerprints on hard surfaces are patent or latent prints including blood, dirt, ink, paint, etc. transferred from a finger or thumb to a surface (“A Simplified Guide To Fingerprint Analysis”, n.d). Patent prints can be collected using photography. The prints are photographed in high resolution with a forensic measurement scale for the image for reference. There are multiple methods for discovering and collecting latent prints. Alternate Light Source (ALS) use
To the case, the shoes and footprints are important because the shoe impression of the shoes could prove that Hernandez was directly involved in the murder. Hernandez pleaded not guilty back then. 6. Muddy Shoe Print leads to Arrest in Marijuana Case: Type of Trace Evidence Used: Impressions Date of Case: 2010 Location of Case: Illinois, U.S. Summary of Case: A man that fled from police and left a car harboring 3.5 lbs of marijuana behind. Police found an abandoned car and shoe impressions in the mud near the abandoned vehicle and compared it to the shoes that the man was wearing.
One of the most important purposes of physical evidence is to establish the identity of a suspect or victim. Some of the most valuable clues at a crime scene are fingerprints. "Processing a crime scene" is a long, tedious process that involves focused documentation of the conditions at the scene and the collection of any physical evidence that could possibly shed light on what happened and point to who did it.
Latent fingerprint was excited with U.V light. This was done to see if the latent fingerprint shows fluorescence. Multiple photographs were taken with different settings, which included spectral filters, camera settings, and U.V light settings to find out if any fluorescence is displayed by the fingerprint residues and if so, to which extent it enhances the ridge characteristics of the fingerprint.
Method used: I used my latent fingerprint dusting powder in order to bring the print to a visible state to the naked eye and then I used my tape I had to gain a copy of the print off the handle. I then took the evidence to my forensic vehicle in order to keep it secure for further examination.
For over a century fingerprints have been one of the most used tools of forensic science. Fingerprints have been used to identify criminals of small crimes
Explain the principles and processes used in the analysis, comparison, evaluation, and verification of latent fingerprints. Latent prints are formed when the body’s natural oils and sweat on the skin are deposited onto another surface. Latent prints can be found on a variety of surface they are not readily visible and detection often requires the use of fingerprint powders, chemical reagents or alternate light sources. Generally speaking, the smoother and less porous a surface is, the greater the potential that any latent prints present can be found and developed. Investigators often perform cyanoacrylate processing, or fuming, of a surface before applying powders or dye stains. This process, typically performed on non-porous surfaces, involves exposing the object to cyanoacrylate vapors. The vapors will adhere to any prints present on the object allowing them to be viewed with oblique ambient light or a white light source. (Latent, n.d)
used method for this is called “tape lifting” blood stains by taking fingerprints tape and
samples of an individual’s fingerprint’s can be lifted from a crime scene. The breakthrough of
Fingerprints fall into the category of individualisation, they are unique and specific to a person and is the most common form of identification because even twins do not have same finger prints (Jones & Pritchard, 2012). This evidential material would have been formed when Mr Port dragged his victims to the church or when he had touched them during sexual contact. Fingerprints are always visualised using a range of special techniques such as using light source, various chemicals, brushing with powders and staining with dyes (White, 2010), all these techniques need to be able to react with fingerprints so that print is seen with a naked eye. This evidence can easily identify the individual that has committed the
Latent fingerprints are mostly impressions left at a scene that are not noticeable to the naked eye; they are also one of three classifications of fingerprints that can be found at the scene of a crime or anywhere else. Latent prints
The most efficient and acceptable means for the collection of evidence to be permissible and admissible to a court of law through trial proceedings is to maintain a credible chain of custody. However, the chain of custody is an insufficient factor without proper discovery retrieval and/or collection of evidence. When offenders respond to a scene in which there is evidence to be collected, only officers properly trained in the process are allowed to collect the evidence. In the State of Georgia, law enforcement officers undergo a strenuous police academy course in which they learn the fundamentals of collecting elements such as fingerprints and bodily fluids. In addition to learning the fundamentals of collecting elements at a crime scene, they are also instructed and trained on how to properly take crime scene pictures. These pictures are important because they show the courts where an element or piece of evidence was discovered in reference to the whole sight of the scene. Once the officer collects the elements/evidence according to his or her training they place the evidence in either a plastic or paper bag to be submitted into evidence. Upon the collection of evidence there is a legible record of each person that handles the evidence from start to finish
That is a good question, one worth answering. Forensics is a scientific tool that has come to its own starting about the 80’s. Fingerprinting was one of the first techniques used to help in identifying the criminals that committed the heinous acts. Fingerprinting uses a brush and powder to enhance the ridge details on the fingertips adhering to the oils left behind. Another awesome way they have been able to pull prints off soft surfaces like bed sheets is by using superglue and heat. Fascinating isn’t it? Since then Forensics has become even more evolved. Fingerprints now go into a database known as AFIS or Automated Fingerprint Identification System, which has the prints of everyone
Fingerprints are one of the best forms of evidence at any scene, and burglaries may offer many opportunities for locating prints. The standard method of fingerprint a burglary scenes is with fingerprint kit. The fingerprint kit contains a soft brush, light and dark colored powders and a roll of clear tape. Once developed the fingerprints can be photographed and/or lifted with tape. The best advantages of fingerprints at crime scenes is the computerized fingerprint database. Crime scene prints can be searched in the computer, and can help locate suspects that may have been involved in the
The use of evidence presented in court cases has drastically helped defendants and prosecutors present reasons as to why an alleged criminal deserves to be found guilty or not guilty. Bite mark and fingerprint analysis are two pieces of evidence that have been used in numerous cases with inaccurate results, putting innocent people like William Richards and Brandon Mayfield in prison. Recent research shows that such evidence, which has been used for many years, should no longer be allowed in the courtroom.
Every time somebody touches something, they leave behind a unique signature that forever links them to that object. This link is their fingerprints, which are unique to every person, for no two people have the same set, not even family members or identical twins. Palms and toes also leave prints behind, but these are far less commonly found during crime scene investigations. Therefore, fingerprints provide an identification process that is applicable to background checks, biometric security, mass disaster identification, and most importantly, crime scene investigations. Fingerprints are so differentiated because they are made up of distinct patterns of ridges and furrows on the fingers. The ridges are the “raised” portions of the prints, and the furrows are the “recessed” portions. This perceived uniqueness has led some people to falsely accept fingerprint analysis as absolute scientific fact. Although overall fingerprints are reliable, there are definitely situations where their accuracy can come into question.