5 Clues (Create a Profile)

In this lab each table was given five similar clues to establish a profile. Each table got one set of fingerprints, two hair or fiber samples, a torn note, and a liquid smudge on a piece of paper. We analyzed each sample and afterwards we compiled them based on how we did came about our observations.

Crime Scene (1)

Exhibit 1: A Torn Up Note
The note says "Please forgive me, I love you all." The loops made really long and thin on letters such as "l" and "f." It appears that pressure was applied to the writing because the writing appears to be much darker than standardly applied pressure. There are disconnects between upper-case letters and double "o's".
Possible Match: Lucas Moore

Exhibit 2: A Hair Sample

The hair sample was a goldish yellow color, transparent with one side of the strand darker than the other. Color treatment/dying has been ruled out.
Possible Match: Red Hair or Caucasian Hair.

Exhibit 3: A Fingerprint

The fingerprint was identified as a plain arch loop fingerprint.
Possible Match: Lucas Moore


Exhibit 4: A Possible Poison

The possible poison that was dried and rehydrated tested positive for crack-cocaine and negative for LSD.
Possible Match: Sandra O'Connor and Jet Trong

Exhibit 5/6: A Decaying Body w/Maggots

Maggots were found on a decaying body. This indicates that the body was going through the active decay stage. The skull had missing teeth, which may indicate extesnive drug use.



Exhibit 7: Two Footprints


The smaller of the two footprints is assumed to be a woman's footprint. The shoe consists of smaller designs, mainly squares. The larger of the two footprints is assumed to be a man's footprint. The footprint consists of longer, more narrow designs on the bottom consists of longer, more narrow designs.
Possible Match: Sandra O'Connor

Exhibit 8: A Fingerprint 

The fingerprint was identified as an ulnar loop.
Possible Match: Sandra O'Connor

Exhibit 9: A Fingerprint

The fingerprint was identified as a double loop fingerpint.
Possible Match: Jet Trong


Exhibit 10: A Fiber Sample

The fiber sample was identified as black and synthetic. It appears to be woven together similar to rope that was transparent on the edges. It was possibly color treated, with frayed ends.
Possible Match: Nylon or Color Treated Wool
*Note: Jet Trong wore a dark blue shirt with a black sweater.

Exhibit 11: A Syringe Needle

A cominated syringe needle possibly used to administer crack cocaine through the bloodstream.



Story:

Sandra O'Connor, Jet Trong and Lucas Moore decided to do crack cocaine just outside the wooded area. Sandra overdoses from the amount of cocaine she had, which moved Lucas to forge the suicide note "Please forgive me, I love you all." Lucas also had a reaction to the drug. Jet was overwhelmed by the situation walked away, which explains why there is one footstep walking to the scene and one away.

Poison Lab

In this lab we had to determine if the substances present were poisonous or not. We had different indicators depending on each poison. The different poisons were cyanide, household cleaning product, aspirin, sugar, iodine and metal poison. Afterwards we researched different poisons that could be found at the crime scene. Through this simulation we found out how important analyzing poisons are at crime scenes.

Footprint Experiment

For this experiment we had to simulate a footprint at a crime scene. Each footprint in my group was a Converse shoe. Mine was a foot long and 9 3/4 inches wide. My footprint had the name "Converse" on the bottom. The design consisted of squares and long rectangles. There was more pressure at the front of the shoe than at the bottom.

Witness Experiment

In this experiment, the class was asked to go through a series of magazines and find similar sized faces. We then cut out the different features of the faces, i.e. forehead, eyes, ears (if possible), nose, mouth, chin and placed them into one large pile. Afterwards, we arranged new faces using the various parts and tested our classmates if they could reconstruct the new faces we created. In doing so it tests' the student's ability to memorize and identify a suspect in a police lineup.

Lipstick Analysis

For this experiment we had to analyze our lips by kissing a sheet of paper with lipstick on. In doing so, we analyze the shape, ridges and other distinct features of our lips. For example, in examining my lips I found that they are/have:

• For the most part healthy
• Straight and full
• A slight arch on the upper lip
• A space formed which looks like a bird looking upward 
• No significant deformities

Also we performed paper chromatography on the lipstick. We put a sample of lipstick on the chromatography paper, then placed the paper (proping it up against the inside of the beaker) inside the beaker. The water would dissolve, and move up the paper. When it reached the lipstick sample, it did not dissolve because the lipstick is non-polar.

Drug Testing

Purpose:

Determine whether unknown substances are Cocaine or LSD by using reagents.

Procedure:

Pour a sample and determine the pH with pH paper, using reagents and the colors they turn determine whether they are cocaine or LSD

Data:

Drug	pH	Cocaine Reag. “blue”	LSD Reag. “Yellow”
1	6	+	-
2	9	+	-
3	3	-	+
4	7.5	+	-
5	6	+	-
6	5	-	+

Research:

Cocaine

Chemical Name: benzoylmethylecgonine

Chemical Formula: C17H21NO4

pH: 8

Biochemical Tests: chromatographic techniques can easily distinguish and separately measure each of these substances

LSD

Chemical Name: Lysergic acid diethylamide

Chemical Formula: C20H25N3O

pH: 4

Biochemical Tests: comparing the hallucinogen LSD with lisuride, a structurally similar drug that also acts on serotonin or 5HT2A receptors but is not hallucinogenic

Methamph

Chemical Name: methylamphetamine

Chemical Formula: C10H15N 

pH: 12.8

Biochemical Tests: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and photoemission spectroscopy

Conclusion:

We successfully differentiated which drugs tested positive for LSD and which ones tested positive for crack cocaine.

Handwriting Analysis

History of Handwriting


The history of handwriting dates back over 2000 years. The Greek philosopher Aristotle (shown left) noticed similarities between Chinese handwriting and their personalities. However the first book on handwriting analysis was published in 1622 by Camillo Baldi, a professor at the University of Bologna, which he titled A Method to Recognize the Nature and Quality of a Writer from His Letters.

A couple of centuries later in the 1890's in Germany a man by the name of Dr. Ludwig Klages (below, left) took gestalt theory (higher order cognative processes) and applied it to handwriting analysis. A Swiss professor named Max Pulver used psychoanalysis (the comprehensive theory of human nature, motivation, behavior, development and experience) in hand with handwriting analysis. These two individuals broadened the study of handwriting analysis.



Handwriting Characteristics

There are twelve different characteristics that one could you to differentiate different forms of handwriting:

1. Line Quality
2. Spacing of Words
3. Spacing of Letters
4. Pen Lifts
5. Word Separations
6. Connecting Strokes
7. Unusual Letter Formation
8. Slant
9. Baseline Habits
10. Flourishes
11. Embellishment
12. Didactic Placement

Analysis of Handwriting Templates

There are two ways one may forge handwriting: free-handing forgery and trace forgery. Free handing forgery is when an individual copies another's handwriting without the aid of tracing, stencils or other means of copying handwriting. Trace forgery is when an individual tries to copy another's handwriting by using trace paper, a stencil or other means outside just their hand to successfully replicate another's handwriting.

In a lab we attempted both free-hand and traced forgery.

1st: Each student received a scratch sheet so they are given the opportunity to copy another sutdent's handwriting.

2nd: Each student was asked to write the sentence "The Quick Brown Fox Jumps Over The Lazy Dog." Writing this sentence is good practice for copying another person's handwriting because it contains every letter in the alphabet. Each student free-hand forged and trace forged the sentence of another student, then provided analysis on the characteristics of the handwriting.  

3rd: Next, each student received three fake blank checks. The student was suppose to create a fake name, with a signature to go along with it. We then tore up the checks and passed them along to another table. Using the first handwriting analysis sheet as a guide, we pieced the checks back together.

Famous Case

In 1928 a family Bible that was inscribed with the birth-dates of the children of the family. The mother of the children said that she wrote the dates shortly after their births, which were 1887 and 1889. However, analysis of the handwriting showed that the Bible was copyrighted in 1890, making her claims invalid.

Hair And Fiber

 

History of Hair and Fiber Analysis

One of the first reports of hair analysis was in the year 1857, in France. Later, in the early 20^th century, hair and fiber analysis became more recognizable. In 1931, John Glaister published “Hairs of Mammalia from the Medico-legal Aspect” which quickly became a distinguished source for information pertaining to hair analysis. A little over 40 years later John Hick published “Microscopy of Hairs: A Practical Guide and Manual” provided a blueprint to analyze hair evidence by a forensic examiner. (John Glaister to the right)

Diagram

Major Fibers

Five types of fibers are:

1. Carbon Fiber- a very strong material that's also extremely lightweight. It is about 5 times as strong as steel and weighs about 66% less. It is thinner than human hair and can be woven together like yarn, which in turn could be woven together like cloth. Some popular examples of using carbon fiber is on parts for tuner cars, Kevlar vests and paintball equipment. (Carbon fiber hood below, right)

2. Cotton- A fluffy staple crop that grows in bundles. It is estimated that 25 million tonnes are produced annualy, which translates to 2.5% of the world's ariable land.

3. Rayon- Originally created as an alternative to silk. The rights to it were acquired by DuPont Chemicals, which quickly turned the product into a household name. Common uses for it are drapes inside the home.

4. Nylon-  a synthetic fabric made from petroleum products. It was developed in the 1930s as an alternative to silk, although it quickly became unavailable to civilian consumers, because nylon was used extensively during the war.

5. Polyester-  a plastic that was invented in Britain in the early 1940s. In the 1950s, it became popular as a textile because of its easy care, its drape and its versatility. An example of a common of polyester are household curtains (shown below, left).



Hair and Fiber Collection Techniques

One method to collect and analyze hair and fiber is through the use of neutron activation analysis. Some of the hair sample is bombarded with neutrons while inside a nuclear reactor. The neutrons make contact with the hair sample, which causes it to release a certain level of gamma radiation. By using this forensic scientists are able to measure every part of the sample, regardless of its size.



Another method to use is picking up the sample with tape.


Reliability of Hair and Fiber Samples

As of recent, the analysis of hair and fiber samples have been very inconsistent as of late. Some studies have shown a sample of  hair of having 9.8% sulfur. Some of the reasons why is because from enviornmental factors to hair dyes and perms.

Famous Cases

In 1982 Robert Anthony Buell was convicted for the rape and muders of multiple women. Fibers were collected with tweezers from a woman's hair. The color of the fabric matched the fibers found in Robert's home.

http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/govtregulation/a/HairTests.htm
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/predators/williams/33.html
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-rayon.htm
http://www.enotes.com/hair-analysis-reference/hair-analysis

How to Take Fingerprints

1. Using a brush and some white powder (in our case baking soda) dab a small amount over the actual fingerprint. (assuming it is a dark surface)
2. Carefully spread the white powder over the fingerprint. Be careful! If you are too rough you could smear the fingerprint.
3. Using some tape, tape over and take off the fingerprint from the surface.
4. Tape the fingerprint to a black sheet and analyze it.

Patterns of Fingerprints

There are three main fingerprint patterns: arches, loops and whorls.


Arches are found in about 5% of all fingerprints. The ridges travel across the fingertip without looping, only curling slightly.

About 60%-70% of fingerprints are loops. The ridges enters on either side of the fingertip, and loop, followed by more ridges to be surrounded by that loop.

                                                              

25%-35% percent of fingerprints are whorls. In a whorl, some of the ridges make a turn through at least one circuit.

                                                                   

Techniques and Chemicals used for Developing Fingerprints

There are several techniques to develop fingerprints:

The traditional or most common technique of fingerprinting is taking impressions of a person's hand with the help of ink. Pressing fingers covered in ink, on to a paper is the way of obtaining fingerprints.

                                                      

Rosa Parks being fingerprinted (1955)

For the digital scanning method, a sensitive touch-pad is used to capture the fingerprints of a person or a suspect in this method. The impression of fingerprint recorded on the touch-pad is then compared with thousands of impressions with the help of software or stored in the system.

For the lifting method, oil from hands which are left behind are captured by means of powders made from resinous polymers. To make a distinct fingerprint, dark-colored powders are used on light surfaces and vice versa. In order to put the fingerprints on porous materials, chemicals such as Ninhydrins are used. The super glue chamber is used to place object taken from the site of crime. The glue present in these chambers adhere to the fingerprints and thereby makes them visible.

The laser technique is one of the most useful for capturing fingerprints. In this fingerprinting technology, the fingerprints from many different surfaces can be lifted by using of laser.

Types of Fingerprints

There are three main types of fingerprints:

Patent prints are visible prints that occur when an outside substance located on the skin of a finger comes touches the smooth surface of another object. These prints leave a defined ridge impression that is visible without a microscope. The "blood on his hands" evidence is an example of patent prints recovered from a crime scene or scene of interest to investigators. These foreign substances contain dust particles which adhere to the ridges of the fingers and are easily identifiable.

"Blood on his hands"

Plastic prints are visible, impressed prints that occur when a finger touches a soft, malleable surface resulting in an indentation. Some surfaces that may contain this type of fingerprint are those that are freshly painted or coated, or those that contain wax, gum, blood or any other substance that will soften. These prints require no enhancement in order to be viewed, because they are easily seen.

Latent prints are prints that are buried within a surface/object. Normally you cannot see them with your eye alone. They are the result of sweat that builds up from sweat pores in the ridges of the fingers. Also, when you touch other parts of your body, the oil from those regions attaches to the ridges of the fingers, which may transfer when you touch a table or a lamp. These fingerprints have to be enhanced.

History of Fingeprinting

Fingerprinting has been around for more than 3,000 years. The first documented fingerprints date back to ancient Babylon. There, fingerprints were used for business transactions. Fingerprints were also used on clay seals in China as well in Persia by different government officials.

        

    The development of fingerprinting to what it is today started in the late 1700’s when Marcello Malpighi, a professor at the University of Bologna observed a difference of spirals, ridges and loops in fingerprints. However, Malpighi did not acknowledge fingerprinting as a means of identification. One of the first discoveries of fingerprints being used as a means of identification was by Paul-Jean Coulier in 1863. Coulier explained that latent fingerprints could be developed on paper by using iodine fuming which may preserve developed impressions. Using iodine fuming gives an investigator the chance to identify a suspect’s by using a magnifying glass.

                                                            

Marcello Malpighi

  The first criminal fingerprint was made in 1892 by Juan Vucetich. He used fingerprinting as a means to identify a murderer by the name of Francis Rojas, who murdered her two sons and then proceeded to cut her own throat in order to make it look like someone else did it. However, her bloody fingerprint was found on the door which proved her as the murderer.

Five years later in 1897 Azizul Haque and Hem Chandra Bose will become the two Indian fingerprint experts that develop the Henry System, a system used to identify fingerprints, named for their supervisor, Edward Richard Henry.



Edward Richard Henry

            In 1903 The New York State Prison system began using fingerprints in the U.S. for criminals. In 1905, 1907 and 1908 the Army, Navy and Marines adopt fingerprints, respectively.

        

    In 1908 Edmond Locard identified that if 12 points (Galton's Details) were the same between two fingerprints, the two fingerprints would be identical.

                                                          

Edmond Locard

In 1924, an act of U.S. Congress created the Identification Division of the FBI. The IACP's National Bureau of Criminal Identification and the US Justice Department's Bureau of Criminal Identification merged to form the nucleus of the FBI fingerprint files. By 1946, the FBI had processed 100 million fingerprint cards in manually maintained files; and by 1971, 200 million cards. With the introduction of automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS) technology, the files were split into computerized criminal files.