Need tweezers

Person 1
start the chromatogram
powder tests
Person 2
prep the Table of Results
polymers
hair
fibers

differentiating between animal fibers

Empty chart for classification

1. In general, one can say that the smoother the fibers, the more likely they are to be
man-made.
2. Most of the fibers made from natural sources such as animal or vegetable fibers are
shorter fibers that are twisted together in some fashion. This often has the loose ends
sticking out that look like fuzz.
3. In a real life most clothing is made from a blend of natural and man-made fibers.
4. Bleach Test Yet another way of separating the animal fibers from the vegetable or
man-made fibers is to put the fibers in regular household bleach. The animal fibers will
dissolve, but the man-made and vegetable fibers will remain untouched.

***Remember to twist up fibers

 Types of polymers
o Commodity plastics
PE = Polyethylene

 PS = Polystyrene
PP = Polypropylene
PVC = Poly(vinyl chloride)
PET = Poly(ethylene terephthalate)
o Specialty or Engineering Plastics
Teflon (PTFE) = Poly(tetrafluoroethylene)
PC = Polycarbonate (Lexan)
Polyesters and Polyamides (Nylon)

Pour about 10 ml of water into a beaker or small cup. 2. Cut a strip of fi lter paper to form a point
at one end. 3. Choose a marker to test. Record the brand of marker on your Reference Library
Page. Use the marker to make a good-sized dot of color (like the size of a grain of rice) about 1.5
cm up from the pointed end of the paper. (Assign the marker a letter or code so you remember
which marker is which.) 4. Use a pencil and make a mark on the paper strip beside the ink dot! 5.
Lower the pointed end of the paper into the solvent BUT make sure the color dot stays above the
solvent level. Carefully push a toothpick through the the solvent level. Carefully push a toothpick
through the top of the paper to hold the strip at just the right level in the beaker or cup. 6. Th e
solvent should immediately start moving up the paper strip carrying the ink pigments with it.
While waiting for the solvent to rise toward the top of the paper, set up your other beakers and
test the other markers. 7. When the solvent has fi nished moving up the paper strip, you can
remove the paper from the test tube and immediately mark with a pencil the highest point the
solvent traveled up the paper strip. 8. Let the strip dry and tape it on your Reference Library
Page under its correct brand name. 9. Continue testing all of the ink samples, including the
unknown.

To prove that an ink sample is a certain brand you will also need to calculate the Rf (retention
factor) values of the diff erent colored chemicals present in the marker. Rf is a calculation that
compares the distance the solvent traveled up the paper strip to the distance a pigment traveled
up the same strip. First, look at a chromatography strip and measure the distance in millimeters
from the original color dot to the fi nal point the from the original color dot to the final point the
solvent solvent traveled. Th e distance you just measured is the traveled. The distance you just
measured is the solvent distance measurement. Record it in the correct location on your
Reference Library Page. 5. Next, measure in millimeters from the original color dot to the highest

from the original color dot to the highest point the fi rst colored pigment (Colored Pigment #1)
traveled up the strip. Th is is the pigment distance measurement for Colored Pigment #1. Record
this measurement in the correct location for Colored Pigment #1. 6. If there is a Colored Pigment
#2 present on the strip, measure (in millimeters) from the original color dot to the highest point
this second colored Pigment (Colored Pigment #2) traveled up the strip. Th is is the pigment
distance measurement Colored Pigment #2. Record this information in the correct location for
Colored Pigment #2. 7. If there is a Colored Pigment #3 present, repeat the Pigment distance
measurement for Colored Pigment #3. 8. Calculate the Rf value for each colored pigment using
the simple formula below: Rf Value = Distance traveled by solute (pigments in ink) Distance
traveled by solvent (water) 9. Record the Rf values for each colored pigment in the ink on your
Reference Library Page. 10. Repeat these measurements and Rf calculations for each of the
markers tested. 11. Keep your Reference Library Page so that you can use it to determine what
kind of marker was used. Th is may be just the evidence you need to solve the case!

Hair

Medulla- thin, central structure of the follicle whose function is undetermined. In

forensics, it is important to remember that not all hair follicles found may be
human. To tell the species of origin, forensic analysts look to see the pattern of
fractures on the medulla, if any.
Cortex- the middle layer of the follicle containing the pigments: made up of a
complex pattern of air pockets, and differently shaped pigment particles. Forensic
analysts take advantage of these unique arrangements to identify whose hair it is
Cuticle- the external layer of cells resembling a shell of translucent fish scales or a
mosaic. Forensic analysts can use the pattern to determine species of origin and
possibly match the follicle to another human if that's what it is
Root- the part of the hair located under the skin (all previously mentioned
components of the follicle are located in the shaft, which is the part sticking out of
the skin) in the tube-like structure known as the follicle. It is where the hair first
begins to grow, the underlying cells forming the protein keratin which comprises
the hair.
Describe the distinguishing factors of human hair cuticle pattern resembles that of
unorganized, overlapping roof shingles. Only human hairs can possess fragmented
or absent medulla.
Describe the hair follicle of a caucasian Shaft diameter: moderate with little
variation, Cross Section: oval, Pigment granules evenly distributed
Describe the hair follicle of an African Shaft diameter: fine to moderate with
considerable variation, Cross Section: flattened, Pigment granules: clumped
Describe the hair follicle of an Asian Shaft diameter: moderate with little variation,
Cross Section: round, Pigment granules: large patchy areas

Fingerprints

Ridge- the line-like, raised formations that form the pattern that forensic scientists
use to analyze and identify fingerprints. By all means, they alone with the furrows
they create define the fingerprints. When they form is when a fetus gets his/her
fingerprints (more notes on fingerprint formation are listed below)
Bifurcation- a point on a fingerprint in which a single ridge divides into two
Island formation in which the ridge is shaped like a dot
Enclosure- an often elliptically-shaped, bowl-like furrow surrounded by ridges
Loop- the most common basic pattern of the human fingerprint, formed by several
sharply rising elongated-U-shaped ridges
Whorl- one of the basic patterns of the human fingerprint, formed by several
complete circular ridges one inside another
Arch- one of the basic patterns of the human fingerprint, formed by several curved
ridges one above the other
Latent- composed of several chemicals exuded through the pores in the fingertips
and are left on virtually every object touched, hard to find if possible at all, to
identify a latent fingerprint, one uses chemical tests
Visible- relatively easy to find and photograph
Impression- still relatively easy to find and photograph
Dusting- a method of creating a copy of finger print found at a crime scene which
can then be taken back to the crime lab for examination. This process centers on
adhering the fingerprint oils which left the ridge imprint to a certain substance
(coming in the form a fine powder, hence the term dusting) which can then be
pulled up via specialized tape. This is usually then attached to a note card or object
of that nature so that one is left with a mirror image of the fingerprint.
Regular powder- preferable when dusting off such surfaces as windows,
televisions, kitchen counter tops, table tops, painted surfaces, cabinets and many
other surfaces found in residential and commercial settings, and it is quite effective
in dustings on apprehended or stolen vehicles on painted surfaces on the exterior
of the vehicle and on glass. It also has the advantage of being available in different
colors ranging from black to pink, which makes the fingerprint copy generally more
discernible against any debris that the adhesive tape may peel off the surface as
well. When utilizing this type of powder, one should use a fiberglass brush. Also, it
is important to not get too much powder on it at a time, or you risk compromising
the fingerprint. Lightly dapple the tip.
Magnetic powder- Magnetic powders are best applied to shiny surfaces, such as
plastic containers. When dusting for fingerprints with magnetic powder, crime
scene investigators must use a magnetic applicator which has a magnet. Magnetic
powder is applied with a light hand with brushing strokes. Besides being available
in the colors of black, white, silver/gray and biochromatic, magnetic powder is also
available in fluorescent magnetic powder colors like red and green. These can be
used when dealing with problematic background fluorescence, and they are best
applied with feather duster.
Iodine fuming- an excellent way to develop prints on flexible, porous and nonporous surfaces such as paper, index cards, magazines, and cardboard. To fume a
suspected latent print, the surface must be placed into a container with solid

iodine. The sublimation of iodine in a closed container will cause iodine vapors to
concentrate, then be absorbed by the oil and sweat left behind by human skin. The
temporarily-developed print will then be visible as an orange/brown outline. Upon
development, the print should be photographed for documentation. The iodine will
eventually sublime from the surface of the print, allowing the print to return to its
latent state. The surface is then returned to its original appearance and can even
be exposed to additional developing techniques.
Cyanoacrylate fuming- also called superglue method. Most liquid super glues
are really either methylcyanoacrylate or ethylcyanoacrylate. Less common types of
super glue include butylcyanoacrylate and isobutylcyanoacrylate. Fortunately, all
these types of super glue are nearly identical physically and chemically. Super glue
reacts with the traces of amino acids, fatty acids, and proteins in the latent
fingerprint and the moisture in the air to produce a visible, sticky white material
that forms along the ridges of the fingerprint. The final result is an image of the
entire latent fingerprint. This image can be photographed directly, or after further
enhancement. However, the glue must be in gaseous state. To do this, one places
the surface suspected of containing a latent fingerprint in a container with a heater
in it. Then, they place a small, opened container of the glue on top of the heater,
and carefully seal the overall one. After that, simply wait.
Ninhydrin fuming- Ninhydrin is a chemical that reacts with amino acids to form a
purple compound. This development technique is used primarily on porous
surfaces such as paper, tissue, and clothing. The white powder ninhydrin must be
dissolved in acetone before it can be soaked into a surface for development. The
reaction will then develop the print within twenty four hours, though that time can
be significantly reduced if heated the treated print is heated during development.

DNA
How do you perfrom DNA electrophoresis? 1. Splice the DNA into fragments via restrictor
enzymes.
2. Insert the fragments into the small pits at the top of a electrophoregram gel pad (put
all of the fragments from a single DNA sample into one pit)
3. Put the pad into the gel electrophoresis machine.
4. When it is done, look at the pad. If the dark spots created by a DNA sample are in the
same place related to the length of the pad as another sample, the two belong to the
same person.

What really happens in DNA electrophoresis? The electrophoresis machine creates

a negative electric current at the top of the gel pad (the place where the pits are
located) and a positive current at the bottom. This causes the DNA fragments to
run down the gel pad. Each fragment is a different size and weight. The heavier it
is, the closer to the top it will be, while the lighter, the farther it will run down to
the bottom. In the places where a DNA fragment remains, a dark splotch shows up
on the pad. If the same type of enzyme is used as the restrictor enzyme, the same
distribution should occur in the any sample of the same DNA. That means the
splotches for each sample of the same DNA will be in the same place lengthwise
along the pad, allowing you to determine if the two samples do in fact belong to
the same person.
The main difference between nucleus DNA and mitochondria DNA is that half of the
nucleus DNA came from each parent, but all of the mitochondria DNA comes from
the mother. This makes tracing lineage easier through the mother.
The hair must have living cells from the root attached to it if regular nucleus DNA
tests are to be run, but if mitochondrial DNA is to be tested, there is no such
requirement. Therefore any piece of hair can be tested.
Mitochondria DNA testing is the most popular test that is done on hair today in a
real crime scene.

Bugs

Describe blowfly egg development in relation to time of death. EGGSCalliphoridae eggs are usually laid on the body's natural orifices (ears, eyes, nose,
and genitals) or any open wounds. This means that if there is a large blow fly
population on one part of the body, there has probably been some sort of trauma
or injury to that area. When the egg is laid it will be approximately 2mm long.
These eggs develop very quickly, and after approximately 8 hours, the egg will
start to show signs of change. These eggs will then hatch after about one day.
Describe blow fly larval development in relation to time of death. There
are three stages of larvae development in calliphoridae. The first is about 5mm
long, 2 days after hatching from the egg. The next instar (as these stages are
called) is about 10mm after 2 and a half days. The third and final stage is
approximately 17mm after 4 to 5 days. In order to reach each of these stages a
larva has to molt.
Describe blow fly prepupae development in relation to time of death. After
the third stage of larval development, the maggot will become uneasy and will
start to roam away from the corpse. Their body parts will start to become obscured
and we can now call the larva a prepupa. It will be about 12mm long now just 8-12
days after its original egg was laid.
Describe blow fly pupa development. The prepupa will now start to become a
pupa. Now 18-24 days after oviposition (egg laying), it will be 9mm long. If an
entomologist finds an empty puparia (case of the pupa), you can generally tell that
the person has been dead for about 20 days.
Describe a fully-grown blow fly metallic blue, black or green in color. Their
antennae are covered in fine filaments or branches, giving them a distinctly
feathery appearance., range in size from 6 to 10mm

Blood Spatter

High Velocity Blood Spatter Classified by blood drops traveling through the air
at over a hundred feet per second, this can appear as either a mist, or a fine spray
of droplets between .1 and 1 millimeter in diameter (these can help determine the
direction from which the victim was hit).
What are some common weapons that result in high velocity blood spatter?
Gunshot - will usually result in a mist radiating from the point where the bullet
impacted the wall (directly behind the point of impact on the victim).
Other weapons can also facilitate high velocity spatters if the assailant exerts
enough force when wielding one. However, this is usually recognizable from a
bullet by a lack of other markers suggesting gunfire.
Medium Velocity Blood Spatter A medium-velocity spatter is one that has a
force of anywhere from 5 to 100 feet per second, and its diameter is one to four
millimeters.
It can be caused by a blunt object, such as a bat or an intense beating with a fist. It
can also result from a stabbing. Unlike with a low-density spatter, when a victim is
beaten or stabbed, arteries can be damaged. If they're close to the skin, the victim
bleeds faster and blood can spurt from wounds as his or her heart continues to
pump. This results in a larger amount of blood and a very distinctive pattern.
Remember that if a victim is beaten, there is usually an initial blow which does not
result in blood spatter since there is no exposed blood. Also, medium velocity
blood spatters can result from blood being flung from a weapon that has already
hit the victim once, and is now being going in for another hit. This forms a
distinctive pattern on the wall which shows the exact movement of said weapon
Low-velocity Blood Spatter A low-velocity spatter is usually the result of
dripping blood. The force of impact is five feet per second or less, and the size of
the droplets is somewhere between four and eight millimeters (0.16 to 0.31
inches). This type of blood spatter often occurs after a victim initially sustains an
injury, not during the infliction of the injury itself. For example, if the victim is
stabbed and then walks around bleeding, the resulting drops are a type of lowvelocity spatters known as passive spatters. Low-velocity spatters can also result
from pools of blood around the body of a victim and transfers (impressions left by
weapons, or smears and trails left by movement). It can occur with some injuries,
such as bleeding sustained from a punch.
Void A low-velocity spatter is usually the result of dripping blood. The force of
impact is five feet per second or less, and the size of the droplets is somewhere
between four and eight millimeters (0.16 to 0.31 inches). This type of blood spatter
often occurs after a victim initially sustains an injury, not during the infliction of the
injury itself. For example, if the victim is stabbed and then walks around bleeding,
the resulting drops are a type of low-velocity spatters known as passive spatters.
Low-velocity spatters can also result from pools of blood around the body of a
victim and transfers (impressions left by weapons, or smears and trails left by
movement). It can occur with some injuries, such as bleeding sustained from a
punch.
How do you determine the impact and point of origin of a blood spatter?
Multiply the width of the drop divided by the length by the inverse of sin to

determine the angle in which the blood impacted the surface. In a single blood
spatter pattern, you can connect all of the angles of the individual drops to
determine the point of origin.

A-type blood The A antigen, you have type A blood. The liquid portion of your
blood (plasma) has antibodies that fight against type B blood. In the United States,
about 40% of the white population, 27% of African Americans, 28% of Asians, and
16% of Native Americans are type A.
B-type blood The B antigen, you have type B blood. Your plasma has antibodies
that fight against type A blood. In the U.S., about 11% of the white population, 20%
of African Americans, 27% of Asians, and 4% of Native Americans are type B.
O-type blood Neither the A nor B antigen, you have type O blood. Your plasma
has antibodies that fight against both type A and type B blood. In the U.S., about
45% of the white population, 49% of African Americans, 40% of Asians, and 79% of
Native Americans are type O.
AB-type Blood Both the A and B antigens, you have type AB blood. Your plasma
does not have antibodies against type A or type B blood. In the U.S., about 4% of
the white population, 4% of African Americans, 5% of Asians, and less than 1% of
Native Americans are type AB.

Dirt

Sand is the largest particle in the soil. When you rub it, it feels rough. This is
because it has sharp edges. Sand doesn't hold many nutrients.
Silt is a soil particle whose size is between sand and clay. Silt feels smooth and
powdery. When wet it feels smooth but not sticky.
Clay is the smallest of particles. Clay is smooth when dry and sticky when wet.
Soils high in clay content are called heavy soils. Clay also can hold a lot of
nutrients, but doesn't let air and water through it well.

Random Facts

How quickly is body heat lost after death, and what is this drop referred to as? 1.5
degrees F an hour, algor mortis
What is the average body heat of a living person? 98.6 degrees F
What else happens to a corpse within the first 24 hours of death? The skin turns a
greyish-white colour. The eyes become dull and film over and the pupils dilate. Skin
loses elasticity. Blood sinks by gravity, turning areas where it settles blue and
purple. Lactic acid is produced in muscles causing the stiffness of rigor mortis. This
starts developing one to four hours after death and is complete after 24 hours. The
effects can last 36-48 hours.
Describe what happens to a body if it is left untreated at room temperature? The
human bowel contains bacteria that multiply rapidly after death. This starts the
process of decay and is aided by the enzymes and chemicals also present in the
body. The body will show greenish discoloration on the chest, lower abdomen and
thighs. The putrid smell of death will increase. This is caused by sulphur-saturated
gas produced from bacterial action and the breakdown of red blood cells. Four to
six days after death the body will bloat with gas unless an incision is made in the
abdomen to release it. The build up of gas causes the eyes and tongue to protrude
and the intestines may be pushed into the rectum and vagina. The body may turn
purple and black. Bloodstained fluid may leak from bodily orifices.
A body is normally embalmed or buried within a week but will continue to
decompose in the following manner: A week after death, most of the body will be
discoloured and the skin will blister and may lift off the body. After two weeks the
breasts, abdomen, scrotum and tongue swell. After three to four weeks the hair,
nails and teeth loosen and internal organs rupture and liquefy. If a body is buried,
the coffin is likely to disintegrate after a few months and the body will liquefy as a
result of chemical action, bacteria and insect activity. After one to two years, only
the skeleton will remain. Depending on the soil acidity and temperature, bones will
take anything from 25 to 500 years
Satellite droplets When blood falls from a height or at a high velocity, it can
overcome its natural cohesiveness and form these
A Chinese book has the first written record of medical knowledge to solving crime
in a description of how to distinguish between strangulation and drowning. True
As an expert witness, a forensic scientist is ethically responsible for doing what?
Telling the whole truth.
Forensic entomologists study what to help solve crimes? flies
One of the tasks that a forensic odontologist might have is to determine the time
of death for a body. False
There are currently about 320 crime laboratories in the US. True
The oldest forensic lab in the US was built by who? The LA Police Dept.
Who said that there is an exchange of materials when two objects come into
contact with each other? Edmond Locard
Leone Lattas found a way of using a comparison microscope to improve this
technique to better match bullets. False.
What condition in the body happens as the blood stops pumping through the body
and settles in the parts of the body lowest to the ground? Liver Mortis

Forensic odontologists might be involved in which of the following circumstances?

A victim has a bite on his arm.
What area specializes in the identification and examination of skeletal remains?
Forensic Anthropology
Intermediate photographs should show the relation of evidence to other parts of
the crime scene. True
What type of sketch is done at the scene of the crime before the evidence is
collected? Rough sketch
What would be an exception to the 4th amendment? An individual gives
permission for the search.
Small evidence is also called what? trace evidence.
Evidence may be placed into containers like manila envelopes, plastic pill bottles,
plastic bags, and carefully folded paper. True
Blood should not be stored how? In an airtight container.
A sample taken from the crime scene is called what? A questioned sample.
Who is the first person to arrive at a crime scene? A First responder.
Firearms should be stored in what type of package? Paper bag.
What is the chain of custody? A list of all people who had possession of the
evidence.
Molds might be used for what type of evidence? Tire tracks
Rough sketches will contain measurements to allow later drawings to be drawn to
scale. True.
Physical properties are those that an object or trace evidence has with just it's
physical existence without altering it in any way with chemicals. True
Which of the following might be an individual characteristic in an impression? A
broken tread.
In order to be a good test it should be what? reproducible
Plaster of Paris is often used to create casts of impressions today. False.
What is the frequency of an event? probability
What is evidence that is used to help recreate or illustrate a crime? demonstrative
evidence.
Class characteristics are associated with what? a group
Which fractures occur first when glass is struck? Radial fractures
For glass fragments to be individualized, what must be true? They must fit
together.
How long to casts of impressions need before they can be analyzed? 24 hours.
DNA is not always available in a hair sample. True
How many full length strands of hair are collected from the scalp to use as a
sample? 50
In the study that the FBI did on examining the physical characteristics of hair, what
percentage of the matches weren't really matches? 10%
What is the most common type of fingerprint? loop
A hair's form and structure is known as what? Morphology
What type of DNA is easiest to collect? Mitochondrial DNA
What reagent may be sprayed at a crime scene to identify blood? Luminol
How much does hair grow in a month? One cm

The first system to classify blood is known as what? A-B-O system.

The morphology of a hair sample can tie the hair to a single person. False
If a fingerprint is discovered on a dark surface, what color of fingerprint powder
might be used? Gray
What is the best source of DNA when working with hair samples? Follicular tissue