Is There Physical Evidence In The Success Or Failure Of A Criminal Procedure

Physical evidence is anything that can establish a crime has occurred and anything that links the crime to a criminal. Three examples of physical evidence are fibers, weapons, and hair.

It might be hard to figure out which type of evidence to use but Forensic Science evidence is definitely the most useful. It uses DNA and blood with many other things to find the suspect or criminal. Forensic Science can hold all the facts of a case together. In “Forensic Science: Evidence, Clues, and Investigation” by Andrea Campbell, it shows how and why Forensic Science evidence is the most important.

After crime scene logs he went over evidence, recognition of evidence with the class, and areas of possible evidence location. Some types of evidence that were covered were weapons, blood, body fluids, tools, etc. Following, diagrams were shown of how you are to record evidence visually by using scene diagrams for example right angle coordinate and straight line. Part of the evidence recognition includes photography procedures/ ‘painting with light’, methodology, and recording by the use of cameras which he explained in detail as he touched on photo equipment and lighting. For example, the use of different kinds of lighting to lift certain evidence was explained including the use of black light to view body fluid evidence. The idea of photo methodology includes the use of tools to measure evidence in photos and to do this accurately for labs. The ideal way to do this is to use a one to one

For over a century, photographs have played an important role in both criminal and civil proceedings. Photography in general became popular in the mid 1800’s. As early as 1840, law enforcement agencies were using photographs to help identify suspects. The first “mug shots” were taken in Paris in 1841. (Evidence Photographers International Council, n.d.)Photography was catching on and people flocked to get their pictures taken. While the portrait craze was taking place, people began to think of other applications for photography. In 1859, photographs were used as evidence for the first time in the United States. In Luco v. United States (Luco v. United States, 1859), photographs of signatures were used, in comparison of originals, in a

Trace evidence- very small amounts of certain physical evidence that is found at a crime scene. Example of trace evidence include blood, hair particles, glass, gunpowder and fingernails. The different types of trace evidence are biological and physical. Biological evidence are samples collected at a crime scene that contain biological material. Examples of biological evidence include hair, tissue, bones, teeth, blood, semen or other bodily fluids or evidence containing biological material. Physical evidence is any item that comes from a nonliving origin. Examples of physical evidence includes fingerprints, footprints, tire marks, fibers, paints and building materials. The importance of trace evidence in forensic science specifically hairs and fibers are that they contain DNA, which can be traced back to the origin. An important figure in the history of forensic science was Edmond Locard who came up with the transfer of evidence. He called this Locard’s exchange principle which means that when two objects come into contact with one another a cross-transfer of materials occurs. An example of Locard’s exchange principle can be when jean fibers come into contact with a computer chip and a transfer of materials occurs. In this example Locard’s exchange principle relates to

The lab analysts must take extensive precautions in preventing any type of contamination because samples are limited and repeating tests is costly. At this time, the medical examiner and crime scene team are put under high pressure and must be diligent and focused when in the laboratory (Dale and Becker 139) (Roberts 48). Since errors happen because of humans and not the machines (Bertino 143). To prevent lab error, detailed guidelines for Quality Control and Quality Assurance are updated regularly (National Research Council 37). In many cases, there is an abundance of evidence that is collected and requires examination. To process all the evidence in a timely manner the forensic scientists are specialized and only process one piece in the

During the packaging of evidence it is necessary to be careful with the evidence to maintain the evidence in its original state, preventing damage or contamination (Orthmann & Hess, 2013). Some of the precautions that need to be made are not to mix, or cross-contaminate, evidence. AN example of this would be if you put bloody clothing from the victim in a same bag as bloody clothing from a suspect, now you have contaminated the evidence. Additionally, you will want to package items in the correct packaging material,

Physical evidence surrounds the known end tale to a story. Since the beginning, crime scene investigators have seek the infallible nature of human identification. It can achieve its optimum value to help investigators reconstruct the crime scene to piece together the sequence of events. The contents of physical evidence, best known as real evidence, consist of those tangible particles such as hairs, fibers, fingerprints and biological material (blood, semen or saliva). It is stated in context of the “Locard’s Exchange Principle”, whenever a person enters into a room, they will always leave a trace of evidence. Physical evidence is subjective to being the only way to reliably place or link someone(s) to the crime scene.

Every attempt should be made to thoroughly document the scene photographically with special emphasis on the body to provide instantaneous and lasting documentation of the crime scene. The higher resolution the image the better to allow for a more in-depth analysis of the image and contents. It is important to note that an investigator should never attempt to clean the face or otherwise change any of the appearance of possible evidence when attempting to take the images. If something obstructs any particular view, first photograph the view in its entirety, and then after removing the object take additional images. Document, scars, wounds, tattoos, birthmarks position, physical characteristics, clothing or any other distinguishing items or evidence. (National Institute of Justice, 2011). Even after the body itself has been removed, it is very important to photograph where the body was and document any trace evidence located

The outcome of many criminal law cases will depend upon the strength and admissibility of evidence. Some evidence is “Admissible, Suppressed, Hearsay, and Scientific and Forensic Evidence.” (findlaw) Admissible evidence has to be relate to crime taking place which can either prove or not prove. (findlaw) Suppressed evidence is evidence that has been obtained in a legal way that a judge is to turn down. It can also be when a prosecutor hid the evidence when all of it is needed for the defense. This will violate the 5th amendment.(Hill). Some people may think that the evidence is to much and that it will hurt someone more than help them, but that’s wrong it helps you if you haven’t done anything bad. Hearsay evidence is coming from a 3rd view perspective. (findlaw) An example would be, Me and my neighbor were walking down the street and our friends comes running by us and she tells us that a robbery was taking place. She says that she was held at beyond her will. So after that if the police need us to testify something like that would be said. When your court you just have to simply explain the truth from what you would were told. Through Scientific and forensic it can also form, “Blood Spatter Analysis, Ballistics, Gunshot Residue Analysis, Fingerprints, DNA Analysis.” (Kaman). Theses all come from a crime scene from whatever crime was

Testimonial evidence is often the most common and sometimes most controversial evidence as well. This involves eyewitness reports about the crime. But it needs to be remembered that eyewitness accounts are based on memories and these are often subject to distortions. Physical evidence is objective evidence with specific physical dimensions such as size and shape. This includes fingerprints, hair, blood stains, tyre marks, and other items. As is clear from the examples, that it may be biological or non-biological in nature. Whatever, the nature of evidence, all evidence needs to be collected in a scientific manner so that the evidence is uncontaminated. Documentary evidence is in the form of written documents such as letters, notes, pictures that are found at the crime scene or during the investigation. Demonstrative evidence demonstrates or “recreates” evidence that has already been presented but needs further explanation. This may include sketches and photos of the crime scene, diagrams

Documenting the evidence before anything is moved not only helps solve the crime but also helps prosecute the criminal in court. Crime scene photography documents the location of the victims body. Photography also documents the location shell casings, footprints, and blood splatters. Findings such as broken locks, weapons, and condition of the body are also photographed to use in court. Finding blood is a major goal of any crime scene investigation. Blood types can be used as incriminating evidence (Rae). Blood samples can identify the criminal and the victim. Modern DNA analysis is the most important tool to identify criminals. Bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) allows investigators to recreate crime. BPA uses biology, physics, and mathematics. A blood pattern can give an idea of where the blood came from. That information allows investigators to know if the body was moved. In some cases there is no visible blood present and techniques to find hidden blood vary depending on the situation. A chemical investigators use called luminol. When luminol comes in contact with blood it reacts with the iron in the blood and the result is the blood starts to glow. Investigators also use infrared camera that can see blood under 6 layers of paint. These techniques have solved many crimes and put many

Porous surfaces are which the evidence is absorbed into the material. Porous evidence can be best described as a sponge that absorbs residue; such as, paper, checks, currency, unfinished wood, cardboard, rugs, clothing, and other similar material. These items do not require treatment by the crime scene investigators. An investigator should never try to obtain or lift prints from porous items of evidence; instead they should be taken into a laboratory for the proper procedures to take place for this matter. The forensic team must always handle this type of evidence with caution and using clean gloves. There is a small probability of destroying latent prints on porous evidence but there is a greater chance that additional latents might come

Physical evidence has certain physical dimensions like shape, size, width, state, pattern etc. Such evidence can be recorded, collected, preserved by using different techniques. Physical evidence can be also called as material, indirect, circumstantial evidence based on different context.

The four types of evidence are physical evidence, documentary evidence, demonstrative evidence, and testimony. Physical evidence is defined as tangible objects such as weapons, trace evidence, blood or fibers, and fingerprints. Documentary evidence is any type of written or recorded evidence, such as a telephone conversation recording. Demonstrative evidence is evidence that is used to to help recreate or illustrate a crime. Lastly, testimony is evidence given by a witness during a trial.