NCJ Number
248190
Journal
Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 64 Issue: 5 Dated: September/October 2014 Pages: 459-474
Date Published
October 2014
Length
16 pages
Annotation
The two goals of this research were to create marks on a car that imitate the microtexture imprint of the victim's clothing on the car and then to find the optimum way to enhance the marks.
Abstract
Fabric marks on car paint constitute important evidence in hit-and-run vehicle-pedestrian crimes. In order to better simulate the impact of a human body, a basketball filled with 10 kg of sea-sand was dropped onto a clean, white car door laid on its side on a flat concrete surface. The marks sought in the paint were the pattern of the basketball. All impact areas were visually examined. Paint marks were seen using oblique light. The marks were difficult to photograph. The use of aluminum, fluorescent, and magnetic powders failed to develop any marks. Black powder slightly enhanced the marks. Clear visible marks were developed by using small particle reagent (SPR). MoS2 is the component in SPR. When pressure by rubbing is exerted, the flakes slide easily against each other. The active component in black powder is graphite, which acts as a lubricant. Together, the SPR and the black powder fill in the three-dimensional print on the car paint, enabling it to become visible to the eye. 10 figures and 17 references