Other evidence types

Question 1

pollen

Answer 1

powder containing male gametophytes of seed producing plants
easily dispersed by wind water animals
persistent, small, identifiable features

Question 2

metals

Answer 2

are commonly found eg rust
colour spot and presumptive chemical tests used

Question 3

detection of GSR

Answer 3

1. optical methods
2. chemographic testing
3. spectrometry
4. separation methods (invasive)

Question 4

organic and inorganic components of GSR

Answer 4

inorganic = primer mixture
organic = from smokeless powder and combustion products

Question 5

metals in latent finger marks

Answer 5

looking at links to specific metal objects (guns and explosives)
use x ray fluorescence microscopy
see identifiable differences between barrel and cartridge

Question 6

fireworks

Answer 6

combo of plastic, paper, explosives and metals
sparklers - can tell their use but not between brands

Question 7

light bulb filaments

Answer 7

glass from head lamp smashes
if off at T of Impact = no distortion
if on at T of Impact = distortion of hot filament
glass may also be fused to filament

Question 8

specialist pigments

Answer 8

tattooing etc
used for identification and tracking the movement of people and animals
modern pigments are organic or mineral

Question 9

what is a gemstone

Answer 9

materials that are cut and polished to be used in jewellery or as ornaments
when exposed to UV rad = emit visible light = fluorescence
if continues after the exposure = phosphorescent
due to impurities in crystal lattice, ID using XRD

Question 10

measurements and properties of gemstones

Answer 10

optical properties for an isotropic substance = velocity of light changes but not direction
measure retardation and birefringence to id gemstone and compare to known sample