TRACE METAL DETECTION TECHNIQUE (TMDT) - A REPORT OUTLINING A PROCEDURE FOR PHOTOGRAPHING RESULTS IN COLOR, AND SOME FACTORS INFLUENCING THE RESULTS IN CONTROLLED LABORATORY TESTS

• NCJ Number: 16716
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 19 Issue: 3 Dated: (JULY 1974) Pages: 496-503
• Author(s): J M STEVENS; H MESSLER
• Date Published: 1974
• Length: 8 pages
• Corporate Author: American Soc for Testing and Materials
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

THE TRACE METAL DETECTION TECHNIQUE (TMDT) ALLOWS THE FORENSIC SCIENTIST TO DETERMINE IF A SUBJECT HAD BEEN IN CONTACT WITH A GUN (OR ANY METAL) WITHOUT NECESSARILY HAVING FIRED IT.

Abstract

A PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING COLOR PHOTOGRAPHS WHICH FAITHFULLY RECORD THE OBSERVED RESULTS OF THE APPLICATION OF THE TRACE METAL DETECTION TECHNIQUE IS PRESENTED. METHODS FOR THE BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOGRAPHING OF THESE OBSERVATIONS WITH POLAROID FILM ARE OUTLINED, AS IS THE NEED FOR SUCH DOCUMENTATION. THE OBSERVED INFLUENCE OF SEVERAL FACTORS, SUCH AS PERSPIRATION, METALLIC COMPOSITION, AND THE CONDITION OF GUN BLUINGS AND PLATINGS, ON TMDT FINDINGS IS STATED AND DISCUSSED. FINALLY, THE ROLE OF THE TMDT IN FORENSIC INVESTIGATIONS AND THE CURRENT STATE OF DEVELOPMENT AND UTILIZATION OF THE TECHNIQUE IS CONSIDERED BRIEFLY. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)