AJS275
Butcher
Words
Importance and Legal Concerns of Evidence
Melvin Colangelo
AJS275
Butcher
Words
Importance and Legal Concerns of Evidence
Locard’s Principle is that investigators and suspects leave and take something from every crime scene. The items that could be left behind, known as trace evidence can include hairs, fibers from clothing, and DNA to identify a few. There is also transfer evidence, which is a type of trace evidence but is found to have come in contact with other evidence, such as a car accident or blood from the victim on the suspect. Some of the trace and transfer evidence may be viable for matching depending on the care taken by evidence collection personnel, as well as forensic technicians, and if there is a match in the database. Some matches could be made years later when new fingerprints or DNA are entered into the database for comparison. DNA is the most trusted evidence in forensic history. Forensic serologists study chromosomes in the blood, saliva, or sweat that differ from each individual and can convict suspects and exonerate innocent suspects. Not only is DNA uniquely distinguishable, it is also difficult to refute if it is on file.
A few states have decided to pass laws allowing DNA extractions from all suspects arrested regardless of innocents. Others believe that taking DNA from innocent people is a violation of their privacy and should only be taken from convicted criminals. Forensics will continue to use whatever profiles they are privy. Without a DNA database, investigators would have a much, more difficult time of solving crimes. Not only do forensics labs match DNA and hair samples but guns and the bullets. …show more content…
Matching a spent bullet to a gun or another bullet is a matter of matching cuts or grooves identifying whether they only have class characteristics. Class characteristics mean the item contains enough to classify as similar, but not to determine if is the same weapon or bullet. If there is enough measurable evidence on the item to be certain of a match; it is known as individual characteristics. Individual characteristics are unique to the item or items giving them great persuasive power in the courtroom. Forensics can be fairly certain about a match, within a small percentage.(Ofc. Michael Hathaway), (Ofc. Ken Bennett) Obtaining the samples of trace evidence is done by first responders or specific evidence collection units. These professionals can use many tools and chemicals to find evidence not visible to the naked eye. Finding evidence can be a tedious task and knowing exactly what to label and remove, without leaving valuable clues behind. If the evidence or the collection of the evidence has been mishandled in any way it may be suppressed by the court. Collecting the evidence at a crime scene should be done with care, evidence may be fragile. Evidence like footprints, tire tracks and fingerprints can not only be fragile but can deteriorate, be lost or compromised. The evidence will need to be protected, this means bagging and sealing items, as well as labeling and a record of all persons handling it. When moist or wet evidence is collected it should be dried or frozen to prevent degradation. Another type of evidence is the examination or wounds, done by Forensic pathologists. During an autopsy they will look for burns, abrasion, concussions, contusions, fractures, lacerations, and also subdural hematoma; bleeding in the brain. The pathologist will determine the cause of death,