Why Is Fingerprints Important

Physical evidence left behind at a crime scene plays a crucial role in reconstructing the events that took place involving the crime. Bloodstain pattern analysis (BPA) is a discipline which utilizes the sciences of biology, physics, and mathematics. Bloodstain interpretation may be accomplished by direct scene evaluation and/or careful study of scene photographs in conjunction with detailed examination of clothing, weapons, and other objects regarded as physical evidence. The location, spreading, and appearance of bloodstains and spatters can be useful for interpreting and reconstructing the events that produced the bleeding. An investigator or bloodstain pattern analyst can decipher from individual bloodstains the direction and angle

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.

From cases such as OJ Simpson to Chandra Levy, DNA profiling also called DNA fingerprinting or DNA typing has played a major role in the criminal justice system. The law enforcement community uses DNA profiling to rule out or identify suspects. Unlike hair microscopy, bite mark comparisons, shoe print comparisons, and firearm tool mark analysis, DNA typing has been developed through massive scientific research and has undergone meticulous scientific evaluation (Innocence Project). DNA is a foolproof method of identifying a perpetrator of a crime.

he Blood Spatter Analyst (also known as "Bloodstain Pattern Analyst") uses many techniques to collect and analze blood that has been left behind at a crime scene. They uses swabs and ultraviolet light, as well as photgraphy to collect and analyze trace evidence and recreate spatters. After analyzation of the spatter, they can determine what weapon was used, which direction the suspect or victim went, the number of wounds the victim suffered, the trajectry of a projectile, and what occured during a violent crime.

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

samples of an individual’s fingerprint’s can be lifted from a crime scene. The breakthrough of

Forensic science is a key aspect of Criminal Justice that helps rid the streets of lunatics and murderers. One of the most important fields of forensic science is blood spatter analysis. Under the Crime Scene Investigation, analysts gather the information that could eventually lead to a victim’s killer. Basic and complex information can be found when analyzing blood. We can learn what kind of weapon was used, the time of death of a victim and other important facts that can help a case. The pattern that the blood gives off give forensic scientists the tools that they need to help solve cases.

In this day and age law enforcement agencies use many different types of technology in order to help combat and fight crime. Because technology is forever changing this means law enforcement officials need to stay up to date with the latest technology. I wanted to go over technology that is available to police officers, prison guards, and probation officers. One of the many technologies available to police officers are fingerprint technology which provides him the opportunity to successfully lift prints throughout a crime scene. Once these prints are lifted they will go through the proper chain of custody and be processed by the officers local or state lab to see if there is a match. Another form of technology is if blood is found at the crime, any type of blood that is found at the crime scene of course it would be swabbed, for anything that is collected you would also need to

The Development of the Processes Behind Blood Pattern Analysis, GSR, and Trace Collection Kayla A. Blackburn Arizona State University The Development of the Processes Behind Blood Pattern Analysis, GSR, and Trace Collection Learning of the history and uses behind blood pattern analysis, gunshot residue, and trace collection is almost as important as learning how to complete the tasks themselves. These three vastly different subject matters are the key to discovering a great deal of valuable information that ensures accuracy for the facts of the case while simultaneously contributing towards the guilty party being held responsible. Without these processes, Crime Scene Specialists would be severely lacking in their ability to establish evidence for detectives, lawyers, judges, and jurors to name a few. Blood Pattern Analysis

As such it incorporates a vast array of disciplines, such as biology and physics and further applies this knowledge to the realm of forensic science (Bevel, & Gardner, 2008). BPA can be directly accomplished through the analysis of physical evidence at the crime scene in conjunction with photography, and/or through the thorough examination of other classes of physical evidence, such as weaponry and clothing (James, Kish, & Sutton, 2005). The analysis of bloodstain patterns provide the investigators of an incident with an extensive assortment of information relative to reconstructing the crime scene (Karger, 2008). Information provided can extend from the positioning of the victim during the bloodshed, the movements of the perpetrator, the mechanisms to which produced the bloodstains, and so forth (James, Kish, & Sutton, 2005). Therefore, the application of BPA assists the investigator in answering what events had occurred and in what sequential manner, where the events occurred and where people were situated, and what did not occur (James, Kish, & Sutton,

First I’m going to look at how blood spatter analysis is used in processing a crime scene. There are many different points to blood spatter analysis such as; The interpretation of blood patterns found on items of clothing, this interpretation can help determine things like; the position of the victim, so whether they were standing,

In Opposition of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis Historically, we know that a bloodstain pattern analysis dates back to the 1800s, but lately has it been subject to rigorous authentication. “At this time very little is known about this beyond the instincts of knowledgeable instructors and investigators who have observed the reproducibility of bloodstain patterns over many crime scenes and practical sessions in the classroom.” DNA analysis now used to identify who bled at a crime scene, but bloodstain pattern analysis is still a vital tool. For instance, it is common for a suspect to claim that he was stained by a victim’s blood while trying to render aid.

 DNA typing.  Preparation of court testimony and evidence. BLOOD EVIDENCE Blood is the most well-known and significant evidence in the modern criminal justice system. Blood evidence is important to the forensic investigator because:  It can link a victim to a suspect (Locard’s exchange principle).

Blood spatter analysis is a very important and time-consuming part of the crime scene investigation process. Blood spatter is a key component to have during a crime scene because it can answer so many questions about the scene itself. “The interpretation of blood spatter patterns and other evidence at crime scenes may reveal critically important information such as the positions of the victim, assailant, and objects at the scene; the type of weapon that was used to cause the spatter; the number of blows, shots, stabs, etc. that occurred; and the movement and direction of the victim and assailant after bloodshed began. It may also support or contradict statements given by witnesses” (Akin 2005).

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.