NCJ Number
147849
Journal
Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 44 Issue: 2 Dated: (March/April 1994) Pages: 159-164
Date Published
1994
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The use of tetramethylbenzidine (TMB), or any other chemical considered to be a possible carcinogen, to enhance impressions deposited in blood should not be summarily discarded.
Abstract
TMB can be applied to evidence if proper safety precautions are followed. Even though TMB is currently being applied as an enhancement reagent for bloody impressions, some controversy surrounds its use. Concerns stem primarily from the fact that TMB is considered a potential health hazard and must be handled as such. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office in Reno, Nevada, used TMB in a recent homicide case. During the crime scene investigation, several partial bloody shoe impressions were found on the kitchen floor near the victim's body. TMB was used to enhance the partial impressions but only with several safety precautions in place. As the impressions were enhanced, they were photographed in black-and-white. Photographic prints made from the negatives were presented as evidence in court. The suspect in the case pled guilty to first-degree murder due to the forensic evidence obtained. 9 references and 2 figures