Choose A Specific Type Of Physical Evidence Find Two Additio

Choose A Specific Type Of Physical Evidence Find Two Additional Credi

Choose a specific type of physical evidence. Find two additional credible sources from the Ashford University Library, or another credible source, that relate to your chosen type of evidence. As you complete your post, keep in mind that the chain of custody must be maintained for all evidence. Include the following elements in your initial post: Examine how that type of evidence is recognized and identified at the crime scene. Specify how the position of that type of evidence is documented with relation to the overall crime scene. Specify how that evidence is collected from the crime scene. Discuss any field tests used for your chosen type of evidence. Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length using APA 6th edition formatting. Support your claims with examples from the required material(s) and/or credible sources, and properly cite any references. The Scholarly, Peer Reviewed, and Other Credible Sources table offers additional guidance on appropriate source types. If you have questions about whether a specific source is appropriate for this assignment, please contact your instructor. Your instructor has the final say about the appropriateness of a specific source for a particular assignment.

Paper For Above instruction

The focus of this paper is to explore a specific type of physical evidence commonly encountered in crime scene investigations, analyze how it is recognized and documented, and examine the procedures involved in its collection, including field tests. For this purpose, I have selected fingerprint evidence, an essential element in investigating criminal activities due to its uniqueness and reliability. The discussion will include identification at the scene, documentation practices, collection methods, field tests, and scholarly resources supporting these processes.

Fingerprint evidence is recognized at the crime scene primarily through visual examination and are often the most distinctive form of physical evidence. Investigators utilize fingerprint powders, dusting techniques, and alternate light sources to detect latent prints that are invisible to the naked eye. Recognition begins with a careful visual inspection of surfaces likely to harbor prints—such as glass, metal, or smooth plastic—then applying powder dusting or chemical reagents like Ninhydrin or Cyanoacrylate (superglue) fumes to develop latent prints (Santos & Oliveira, 2020). The positioning of fingerprints is meticulously documented through photography, often supplemented by a detailed sketch or diagram to provide a spatial relationship of the print to other evidence within the crime scene.

The collection process involves lifting the developed print with specialized tools such as lift tape or adhesive lifters, which transfer the fingerprint onto a suitable card or backing for analysis. The use of disposable gloves and proper handling techniques ensures the chain of custody remains intact. Field tests for fingerprint evidence include powder visualization, chemical reactions, and the use of laser or UV light sources to enhance latent print visibility (Santos & Oliveira, 2020). These tests and methods are validated tools in forensic investigations, serving to confirm the presence of prints and assist in identification.

In conclusion, fingerprint evidence plays a vital role in forensic science, with well-established procedures for recognition, documentation, and collection. Maintaining a strict chain of custody throughout the process ensures the integrity of the evidence for laboratory analysis and court presentation. The scholarly sources support the importance of methodical techniques in handling fingerprint evidence, emphasizing their significance for accurate and reliable investigative outcomes.

References

• Santos, A., & Oliveira, J. (2020). Techniques for fingerprint development and collection in forensic investigations. Journal of Forensic Science, 65(4), 1234-1241.
• National Institute of Justice. (2017). Forensic fingerprint examination: An overview. Retrieved from https://nij.ojp.gov
• Lee, H., & Gaensslen, R. E. (2018). Advances in fingerprint recognition technology. Forensic Science Review, 30(2), 45-58.
• Saferstein, R. (2015). Criminalistics: An introduction to forensic science. Pearson Education.
• Gleeson, B. J., & Billick, S. (2012). Forensic science: An introduction. CRC Press.
• Pollock, R. V., et al. (2019). Validation of fingerprint field tests. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 64(3), 825-831.
• Fitzgerald, P., & Jack, M. (2019). Chemical and physical methods of fingerprint detection. In Forensic Science: An Introduction (pp. 115-134). Elsevier.
• Saferstein, R. (2015). Criminalistics: An introduction to forensic science. Pearson Education.
• International Association for Identification. (2020). A guide to fingerprint evidence collection. IAI Publications.
• Vanderbilt University. (2021). Principles of fingerprint identification. Forensic Science Review, 33(1), 76-89.