NCJ Number
60544
Date Published
1965
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS FILMSTRIP ILLUSTRATES THE TECHNIQUES OF PHOTOGRAPHING AND MAKING PLASTER CASTS OF IMPRESSIONS SUCH AS FOOTPRINTS OR TIREPRINTS ON SOFT SURFACES FOR THE PURPOSE OF PRESERVING EVIDENCE.
Abstract
THE RECORDING AND REPRODUCING OF THIS TYPE OF EVIDENCE IS VITAL BECAUSE PRINTS MAY EASILY BE DESTROYED BY THE ELEMENTS OR DISTURBED IN THE INVESTIGATIVE PROCESS, WHILE PICTURES AND CASTS MADE AT THE SCENE PROVIDE PERMANENT EVIDENCE FOR EXPERTS TO STUDY AT ANY TIME. CAMERA SETTINGS AND LIGHTING CONSIDERATIONS WILL VARY FOR BOTH NIGHT AND DAY CONDITIONS. EACH PHOTOGRAPH SHOULD BE IDENTIFIED BY PLACING A 3X5 CARD ALONGSIDE THE PRINT; A MEASURING DEVICE SUCH AS A STEEL TAPE SHOULD ALSO BE PLACE NEXT TO THE EVIDENCE AS A MEANS OF SHOWING ITS SIZE. THE PROCESS OF MAKING PLASTER CASTS REQUIRES SUCH EQUIPMENT AS PLASTER OF PARIS, WATER, A MIXING CAN, AND A CARDBOARD OR ALUMINUM FRAME. A STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE EMPHASIZES THAT CARE MUST BE USED TO ENSURE THAT THE PRINT IS NOT DISTORTED NOR THE IMPRESSION DAMAGED. IDENTIFYING THE FINISHED, DRY CAST IS BEST DONE WITH A FELT-TIP PEN, WHOSE MARKINGS ON PLASTER ARE PERMANENT. PACKAGING AND LABELING FOR SHIPPING THE CAST MUST LIKEWISE BE DONE WITH CARE. A STUDY GUIDE IS INCLUDED. (MRK)