Second test Flashcards
How can a trace evidence be classified as ?
A class ( General ) evidence or an individual (Precise) evidence
Why analyze a trace evidence?
For physical and chemical properties.
What can be used to identify physical evidence ?
A microscope and a Microspectrophotometry ( Paint chip analysis )
What are the different types of microscopes ?
Binocular microsope, basic one. Comparison microscope, polarized light criscope ( brings out details), Scanning electron microscope ( determine mineral elements) , steremicroscope ( 3d appearance to the object)
What are the different parts of a microscope ?
Base, ocular, pointer, body tube, nosepiece, objectives, arm (2), stage, stage clip, coarse adjustement, fine adjustement, iluminator (go see the notes for the graph)
What are the different step to using a microscope?
- Make sure that the low power objective is clicked into position under the body tube.
- Place the slide (cover slip up) into the clips on the stage and center the slide over the light opening.
- Using the coarse adjustment knob, raise the stage as far as it will go.
- Looking through the ocular, use your coarse adjustment to lower the stage until the specimen comes
clearly into view.
5.
Obtain a sharp focus using the fine adjustment.
6.
Regulate the light intensity by raising or lowering the illuminator or changing the dial on the base.
Reducing the light will usually give greater contrast. - These microscopes are parfocal so once the specimen is clearly in view under low power, no major
adjustments are necessary. So, to increase magnification, be sure the area you want to examine is
centered and then turn the nosepiece until the next higher power objective locks in position. The
material should now be in view and should require only slight focusing with the fine adjustment.
NEVER FOCUS WITH COARSE ADJUSTMENT WHEN USING MEDIUM OR HIGH POWER. - Before removing the slide, always return the microscope to low power and turn the coarse
adjustment knob to lower the stage to allow sufficient access to remove the slide
What are the three parts that compose a hair ?
The roots, the shaft and the tip ( in this order)
What are the three layers of hair ?
The cuticule ( the outlayer, gives hair strenght). Cortex ( largest portiong=, 2 layer. Gives color with melanin), Medulla ( central core)
What are the different types of cutitcule ?
Coronal ( crownlike), found amongs rodents. Spinous ( petalike) found in cats, Imbricate ( flattened like stones) humans
In the cortex, how the melanin level impact the hair color ?
Brown and black : high level
Blond and red : low level
White and grey : zero
What are the different types of medulla ?
Fragmented, intermittent, continous and absent. ( go look to see them )
What is the medulla human usually have ?
An absent one.
What are the techniques used for chemical testing ?
X-rays, infrared spectrophotometry, neutron activation analysis.
How to match hair samples ?
- Obtain hair sample from the suspect ( about 50)
- Compare with the hair found : the color, widht, lenght, diameter, distribution pattern of the medulla and its shape, color and distribution pattern of pigment in the cortext, cuticle pattern.
What are the two class for fibers ?
- natural ( Plants, animal source)
- Manmade (manufactured, synthetic)
What is important to know when collecting fibers ?
After 4 hours, 80% of the fibers are gone. After 24hours, 95%. It is important to act fast.
What do we use to collect fibers ?
Using tape, vaccuming and tweezers.
What do we compare fibers ?
Their shapes, diameter, color, shininess, curs and crimps.
What are the other types of trace evidence ?
Glass, paint chips, soil and plants
What can glass tell us ?
Point of entry or exit, what broke it, fingerprint, shoeprint, DNA
What can paint tell us?
What is the car, if the car is painted in a special paint can be a individual evidence.
What are 3 types of pattern evidence ?
Class, individual, wear.
What are three types of fingerprint evidence ?
Latent, ( not visible), Visible, plastic
How to preserve pattern evidence ?
- Take a picture
- Lift the impression using adhesive lifter or gelatin lifter.
- If not possible, use a electrostatic lifting device for chair, walls and floors.
- Chemical development
- Casting
What are the steps to cast something ?
1- An aerosol is sprayed on the print to harden it
2- The dental stone is prepared by mixing water with the powder
3- The mixture is mixed by hand to reach the appropriate consistency
4- Using a spoon to disperse the flow, the mixture is poured in
5- The cast is allowed to dry (24 -48 hrs) before removal