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Forensic Physical Evidence Overview

Physical evidence notes can provide valuable information for criminal investigations. 1. Trace evidence was first recognized as important by Edmund Locard in 1910. Locard's Exchange Principle states that with contact between two items, there will be an exchange. 2. Various types of physical evidence like paint, glass, explosives, ballistics, dust, fingerprints, impression evidence, fractures, wounds, documents, insects, DNA, skeletal remains, body fluids, hairs and fibers can be analyzed and potentially linked to suspects. This evidence can reveal characteristics, chemical compositions, markings, wounds, DNA profiles and other details to identify suspects or exclude innocent parties.

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2K views2 pages

Forensic Physical Evidence Overview

Physical evidence notes can provide valuable information for criminal investigations. 1. Trace evidence was first recognized as important by Edmund Locard in 1910. Locard's Exchange Principle states that with contact between two items, there will be an exchange. 2. Various types of physical evidence like paint, glass, explosives, ballistics, dust, fingerprints, impression evidence, fractures, wounds, documents, insects, DNA, skeletal remains, body fluids, hairs and fibers can be analyzed and potentially linked to suspects. This evidence can reveal characteristics, chemical compositions, markings, wounds, DNA profiles and other details to identify suspects or exclude innocent parties.

Uploaded by

shadow12345
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Physical Evidence Notes

Name ____________________________

1. The value of trace forensic evidence was first recognized by Edmund _______________ in 1910. The
Locards Exchange Principle states that "with _______________ between two items, there will be an
_______________."
2. Complete each section below as you discuss the notes in class.
Paint
What is an example of a "class" characteristic? __________________
What is an example of an "individual" characteristic? __________________
Glass
What are three characteristics of glass that could be used to match glass from a crime scene to a suspect?
_______________________ _______________________ _______________________
Explosives
How do scientists match bombs and other explosive devices to suspects? ________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Ballistics
What does the abbreviation GSR represent? ________________ _____________________
What is rifling? ______________________________________________________________________________
What does the acronym IBIS mean? ______________________________________________________________
Dust & Dirt
How could dust or dirt be used in an investigation? __________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Fingerprints
What are the 3 main types of fingerprints? ________________________________________________________
What does the acronym AFIS mean? ____________________________________________________________
Impression Evidence
Give 3 examples of impression evidence. _________________________________________________________
Fractures Matches
What are fracture lines? _______________________________________________________________________
Give an example of a type of evidence that might be identified using a fracture match. ______________________
Wounds
What information can be learned from a wound? ____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
T. Trimpe 2006 [Link]

Documents
Besides handwriting, what else could an investigator use to match a ransom note to a suspect? _______________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Insects
What type of insects are helpful in a murder investigation? ____________________________________________
What is PMI? ________________________________________________________________________________
DNA
What types of tissues might be used for DNA testing? _______________________________________________
What does the acronym CODIS mean? ___________________________________________________________
Skeletal Remains
What 4 things can be determined from skeletal remains? _________ __________ ____________ ____________
What type of scientist studies skeletal remains? ________________ _________________________
Body Fluids
What type of clues could investigators get from body fluid samples? Give two examples.
__________________________________________ __________________________________________
Hairs & Fibers
How can hairs and fibers be used in an investigation? ________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________
What must be present in a hair sample to test for DNA? _____________________________

T. Trimpe 2006 [Link]

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