NCJ Number
233784
Journal
Identification Canada Volume: 32 Issue: 4 Dated: Septembr 2009 Pages: 114-152
Date Published
December 2009
Length
39 pages
Annotation
This issue's feature articles describe procedures used in a case in which glove impression evidence was developed, as well as the benefits of a range meter in providing a quick and accurate measure of a crime scene.
Abstract
The first article addresses investigators' management of glove impression found on a safe at the scene of a break-and-enter at a post office. The evidence was photographed, but the impressions could not be lifted from the surface where they were deposited. Three weeks later, investigators seized two pairs of textured rubber gloves linked to another offense. Comparisons were made by using test impressions between the crime scene impression and the seized pairs of gloves. One area of the left index finger of one of the seized gloves was determined to match the crime scene impression. The difference between the patterns found in the seized gloves and new gloves of the same manufacturer and type were sufficiently variable to attribute distinctiveness to the seized glove. The second article reviews the features of range meter devices in capturing the dimensions of the area and items in a crime scene. One benefit of the laser range meter is that it can be operated by a single crime-scene officer in measuring and recording the layout where a crime occurred; however, one problem encountered in using this device is to be able to see the laser range meter's red dot while measuring an exterior scene during sunny, bright conditions. The article recommends that the operator use red goggles, which causes the scene to darken while increasing the visibility of the laser dot as bright orange. This issue also reviews forensic training opportunities and provides information on the activities of the Canadian Identification Society.