Motor Vehicle Investigation and Homicide Investigation - Essay Example

 Motor Vehicle and Homicide Investigation       Motor Vehicle and Homicide Investigation Question Footprint or footwear evidence has a lot of value. Footprint or footwear evidence may be employed in legal activities to help ascertain the characteristics of individuals at the scene of crime. In a number of instances, footprint or footwear evidence may prove to be as particular as fingerprint. Footprint or footwear evidence can give information regarding both the crime and the criminal. The evidence may be utilized to ascertain the style and make of shoe, and also the identity of the shoe to the omission of other individuals in the globe.

Footprint or footwear evidence may be utilized to discard specific shoes and confine the suspect group. More essentially, footprint or footwear evidence may assist investigators to determine the movement of the suspect in a scene (Bodziak, 2000). The evidence can be preserved through lifting and sketching. The lifting technique is largely used for two-dimensional impressions. The lifting procedure provides a comparison between the lifting material and the mark which gives the information essential for a comparison.

Footprint or footwear evidence may be lifted from surfaces with instruments, for example, gelatin lifters and adhesive lifters. It may be performed by using a brush and putting a bit of powder on it. Brush the surface containing the evidence gently until the print appears. Place a footwear tape on the print in a regular motion and smooth manner. Finally, remove the tape and place it on a plain paper. Sketching is conducted through both a sketch and a written report (Stone, 2006). Measurements are recorded to lastingly fix the situation of the impression in the scene of crime on paper.

A suitable scale must be employed when photographing footwear evidences. The scale is supposed to be on an identical plane as the impression. A tri-pod should be used during photographing. The frame of the photograph should be filled with the impression including the scale. The impression should be shaded in sunny situations. Slide lighting from different angles should be employed and numerous shots taken. The impressions are casted using a plaster cast. At the start, the impression is secluded by framing the location with a solid boundary.

Thereafter, a plaster mix is tenderly poured in the frame. It is removed after it has adequately hardened. The cast is then packed the way it is and transported to a laboratory for more processing and cleaning (Bodziak, 2000). Question 2 Safety is of tremendous significance in any process of collecting and examining evidence. When possible, it is imperative to always render a firearm secure to handle prior to performing any further examination or investigation. Nonetheless, this should be done with care so as to safeguard any probable fingerprint evidence and or DNA trace that may be in existence.

The procedures employed in the examination of firearm evidence include, one, unloading the weapon. When revolvers are cocked, carefully de-cock the weapon utilizing the knurled areas if workable. Make marks on every side of the top strap, to show the chamber in the firing position. The marks will show the chamber found indexed in front of the firing pin if unlocked. Record the positions of cocking indicators or manual safety devices in semi-automatic firearms. Cautiously, extricate the magazine and detach it from the firearm.

Open the action and assess the chamber for a cartridge case or cartridge. Lock the slide to the back keeping the action open if possible. If it is not possible, let the action close then fit into place manual safety devices located on the weapon (Aitken & Taroni, 2004). Two, assess the firearms for trace materials, for example, tissue, blood, fiber, or hair after it is in a safe condition. One should not continue if in doubt about correct processing, and should contact the laboratory and discuss the condition with a firearm expert.

Masks and rubber gloves should be put on when fingerprint is required or DNA is collected. Moreover, gloves should be changed when handling different pieces of evidence. Three, the firearms should be packaged and delivered to the laboratory. Nevertheless, if it is not possible to hand carry the evidence to the lab, companies that provide mail services may be utilized. Firearms should be correctly packed if they are shipped. It should be placed in a secure place where there will be no shifting.

Additionally, shotguns and rifles should not be taken apart prior to the packaging as it can change their evidentiary worth. All firearms should be packed upon submittal to the property room or laboratory. Also, bullets should be packed and fastened in a paper envelope and denoted for recognition (Aitken & Taroni, 2004). References Aitken, C., & Taroni, F. (2004). Statistics and the evaluation of evidence for forensic scientists. New Jersey: Wiley. Bodziak, W. (2000). Footwear impression evidence detection, recovery and examination (2nd ed.). Florida: CRC Press. Stone, R. S. (2006). Footwear examinations: Mathematical probabilities of theoretical individual characteristics.

Journal of Forensic Identification, 56, 577-599.