NCJ Number
55007
Journal
Polizia Moderna Volume: 30 Issue: 8-9 Dated: (AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 1978) Pages: 32-40,45-46
Date Published
1978
Length
11 pages
Annotation
EVIDENCE COLLECTED AT CRIME SCENES ACCORDING TO SCIENTIFIC POLICE METHODS IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY TO INVESTIGATE AND TO PRESENT ADMISSIBLE EVIDENCE IN COURT.
Abstract
THE MOST ADVANCED AND RELIABLE METHODS OF CRIME SCENE SEARCH AND EVIDENCE COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION ARE TECHNICALLY PRESENTED FOR POLICE INVESTIGATORS. PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN AT THE CRIME SCENE ARE DESCRIBED AS THE MOST RELIABLE EVIDENCE, ESPECIALLY WHEN COMPLEMENTED BY WRITTEN DESCRIPTIONS, FOR ADMISSIBILITY IN COURT. THE POLICE PHOTOGRAPHER MUST TAKE PICTURES IN A CAREFULLY THOUGHT-OUT SEQUENCE, WHICH SHOWS THE SCENE OF THE CRIME AS A WHOLE, AND ALL RELEVANT DETAILS (USING, IF NEEDED, MICROPHOTOGRAPHY AND COLOR FILM, AND STRIVING ABOVE ALL FOR SHARPNESS OF OUTLINES). DIRECTIONS FOR TAKING FINGERPRINTS AND OTHER TYPES OF PRINTS AND IMPRESSIONS, ARE GIVEN AND INCLUDE THOSE THAT ARE VISIBLE AND THOSE THAT ARE LATENT. FINGERPRINTING TECHNIQUES ARE EXPLAINED, AND THE VARIOUS SURFACES ON WHICH FINGERPRINTS CAN BE FOUND (SMOOTH AND DULL) ARE LISTED. ALL POSSIBLE TYPES OF PRINTS, SUCH AS FOOTPRINTS (NAKED, IN STOCKINGS, WEARING SHOES) AND TIRE TRACKS ARE DISCUSSED, TOGETHER WITH THE BEST TECHNIQUES FOR TAKING THEM, EITHER BY PHOTOGRAPHY (WHEN VISIBLE) OR WITH THE HELP OF PLASTER OF PARIS CASTS, ACCORDING TO THE MEDIUM IN WHICH THE IMPRESSIONS WERE LEFT (DIRT, SAND, MUD, SNOW, OR UNDERWATER). EXPLANATION OF EVIDENCE COLLECTION AT THE CRIME SCENE EITHER FROM OR AROUND THE VICTIM'S BODY INCLUDES (1) HOW TO TAKE FINGERPRINTS ACCORDING TO THE STATE OF PRESERVATION OF THE BODY, (2) HOW TO USE THE PARAFFIN TEST TO DETERMINE MURDER OR SUICIDE, (3) HOW TO TAKE IMPRESSIONS OF TIRE TRACKS, AND (4) HOW TO DETERMINE, IN BREAKING-AND-ENTERING AND SAFECRACKING CASES, WHAT KINDS OF TOOLS WERE USED. DISCUSSION OF THE METHODOLOGY OF FIRE INVESTIGATION SHOWS HOW TO DETERMINE WHETHER ARSON WAS INVOLVED, INCLUDING HOW TO SAFELY REMOVE AND RECONSTRUCT SCORCHED OR BURNED DOCUMENTS. FINALLY, DIRECTIONS ARE PROVIDED ON THE SAFEST WAY TO PACKAGE AND LABEL DIFFERENT PIECES OF EVIDENCE (GLASS FRAGMENTS, BOTTLES, PORCELAIN, CHINA, METAL OBJECTS, FRAGMENTS OF HUMAN HAIR, AND FABRICS) FOR CONVEYANCE TO POLICE LABORATORIES. THE ARTICLE IS ILLUSTRATED WITH PHOTOGRAPHS OF FINGERPRINTS AND OTHER CRIME SCENE EVIDENCE. --IN ITALIAN. (GLR)