Crime Scene Investigator Network Newsletter

APRIL 2010

Welcome to the April 2010 Crime Scene Investigator Network Newsletter

The Use of Electrostatic Equipment
to Retrieve Impressions from the Human Body

Robert M. Tovar

From the Journal of Forensic Identification
Vol. 54, No. 5, September/October 2004*

Abstract: Most articles submitted to forensic journals contain success stories. Unfortunately, this one does not, but it does demonstrate the viability of an electrostatic technique for retrieving impressions from human skin in certain situations. Most uses of electrostatic equipment focus on the retrieval of impressions made on hard surfaces, such as the impressions left on hard surfaces by dirt or dust from the soles and heels of shoes. In addition to its use for retrieving impressions left on hard surfaces, electrostatic equipment can also be considered for the examination of impressions left on human skin.

Case History

In August of 2002, sometime after twelve midnight, a worker found the dead body of a female lying in a field used by garbage trucks. The victim was lying facedown about 160 feet from a main roadway and about 100 feet into a covelike clearing that was surrounded by bushes. The physical evidence was minimal. No normal lighting existed, and the use of handheld lighting revealed no viable tire tracks or disturbances in the dirt and grass surrounding the victim.

The unknown female victim was turned over carefully. She had bruising around the forehead and eyes, with some blood and fluids draining from both her mouth and nose, and she appeared to have been beaten. When the body was turned over, the victim's blouse moved slightly above her pants and exposed her abdominal area. Some impressions were observed on the abdomen at this time.

Equipment

The procedure was conducted using a Kinderprint Electrostatic Dust Print Lifter portable unit, fully charged with a 120V AC / 12V DC wall unit.

Process

The origin of the impressions on the subject's abdomen could not be determined. When viewed in the dark with artificial lighting, the impressions appeared to have been caused by some form of dirt (possibly from a shoe). They did not appear to be due to any contusion left on the body. If the impressions had been caused by a contusion, different assessment and lifting techniques would have been considered.

Many print retrieval techniques have been proposed to retrieve impressions from human skin. However, utilizing gel or other retrieval techniques may require some form of pressure to be placed on the victim's body, which may disturb trace evidence and skin. Movement or pressure may cause a disturbance to the body or cause the impression to settle, thus possibly distorting the impression or destroying it altogether. The use of the electrostatic process minimizes skin disturbances.

< read the complete article and view example diagrams and view example photographs. >

*From the Journal of Forensic Identification Vol. 54, No. 5, September/October 2004.
The Official Publication of the International Association for Identification "Reproduction of the Journal of Forensic Identification, in whole or in part, for noncommercial, educational use is permitted provided proper citation of the source is noted."

In This Issue
New CSI and Forensic Job Announcements

CSI In The News

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Learn How to Become a Crime Scene Investigator

New CSI and Forensic Job Announcements

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Criminal Identification Specialist II | California Department of Justice
Final Filing Date: April 28, 2010
Salary: $3424 - $4115 per month
This is the higher journeyperson level in the series. Under general direction, CIS II perform the difficult fingerprint identification duties; man the Department's Command Center with responsibility for processing urgent telephone and teletype requests for criminal record information and associated data on a 24-hour, 7-day basis; review various databases to determine a person's eligibility to purchase/possess firearms; access various automated systems for identification purposes; by appointment, meet with and confirm the identity of criminal record subjects who have requested a review of their record and, when necessary, assist the subject in properly contesting and/or correcting the contents of the record; and may act as a lead person/trainer to several CIS I involved in all facets of the Department's criminal identification function.
<View complete job listing>

Evidence Control Technician | Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
Final Filing Date: April 30, 2010
Salary: $36,310.00 - $82,303.00 per year
The incumbent serves as a specialist in planning, developing, implementing, organizing and maintaining the laboratory evidence control system. This work requires the knowledge of the regulations, policies, standards and practices regarding transportation, collection, preservation, storage and disposition of evidence, as well as basic understanding of the types of examinations that are carried out in a forensic laboratory.
<View complete job listing>

Latent Fingerprint Examiner | Fort Lauderdale, FL Police Department
Final Filing Date: May 4, 2010
Salary: $48,505.60 - $65,062.40 per year
The position requires advanced knowledge and skill in revealing the existence of latent fingerprint evidence, in the positive identification of such evidence and in the subsequent legal presentation of evidence and testimony in court. The work demands extreme accuracy and requires the exercise of considerable initiative and independent judgment within the limits of established practices and procedures.
<View complete job listing>

Forensic Scientist - Biology/DNA | Albuquerque, NM Police Department
Final Filing Date: June 4, 2010
Salary: Starting $1,708.80 to Midrange $2,249.60 Bi-weekly
To examine, identify, analyze, evaluate and preserve evidence in the investigations of crimes and to perform a variety of other technical tasks relative to assigned areas of responsibility.
<View complete job listing>

Crime Scene Section Supervisor | Phoenix, AZ
Final Filing Date: Recruitment may close when we have received a sufficient number of qualified applications.
Salary: $66,518 - $99,195 per year
Supervises Crime Scene Shift Supervisors and Specialists in the performance of their work analyzing, collecting, and processing evidence at crime scenes and/or in the Lab; prepares administrative reports on the operations of the Crime Scene Response Section; trains Crime Scene Specialists in all aspects of analyzing, collecting, and processing crime scene evidence; works with the quality manager and other management personnel to ensure accreditation standards are met; trains staff in how to effectively testify in court; testifies in court as a witness in connection to the scenes processed and evidence developed and preserved; studies new techniques and procedures in crime scene evidence collection and processing; participates in a structured training program; and serves as the Technical Leader for the Crime Scene Response Section.
<View complete job listing>

Investigator/Autopsy Technician | District Twenty Medical Examiner, Naples, FL
Final Filing Date: Not stated
Salary: $30,000 per year
Medical examiner investigator is required to gather, provide and prioritize information from and to the doctors and other sources, complete death certificates, handle telephone inquiries, process information for funeral homes and other agencies, record detailed information, communicate with staff, obtain records, general filing, assist with identification. Autopsy duties include preparing the body for autopsy, taking x-rays and cleaning the autopsy suite after each case, and proper storage and maintenance of specimens and evidence.
<View complete job listing>

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CSI In The News

<Recycled waste toner powder to aid police investigations>
A United Kingdom recycling expert has finally solved one of the recycling industries biggest mysteries: how can waste toner powder be recycled? While empty printer and photocopier cartridges can be reused or broken down to recover the metals and plastics, currently all forms of toner powder are land filled or incinerated. This is estimated globally at around 2700 metric tonnes per month. Angus Carnie of 300 Recycling recently noted that he has had a fantastic response from all over the world for his solution to reuse the toner powder as forensic finger print powder.
Solid Waste & Recycling - Canada - April 19, 2010

<Work of real-life CSI vital but less exciting than on TV>
Watching one of several CSI programs on TV, one might think crime scene investigation is a glamorous career filled with quickly solved cases, fast cars, stiletto heels and gunfire. Reality is much slower and less glitzy, say real-life crime scene technicians Ann Schramm and Leggie Boone of the Winter Haven Police Department, but the job is rewarding and important, nonetheless.
NewsChief.com - Winter Haven, FL - by Donna Kelly - April 18, 2010

<DNA caseload backs up as Michigan State Police Crime Lab turnaround stretches six months or longer>
"It's not like the TV show 'CSI' ," said Saginaw Police Detective Jim Vondette in reference to the CBS' Crime Scene Investigation, "one hour and we have DNA back." The wait for DNA analysis is closer to 8,760 hours, a year or longer, Vondette said.
The Saginaw News - Saginaw, MI - by Gus Burns - April 18, 2010

<Mandatory rape kit tests pushed; AG says DNA evidence is sitting on shelves statewide>
But in the view of Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, the failure to submit a rape kit to the crime lab for testing represents a lost opportunity for justice -- whether it's a chance to bust a rapist still at large, or to exonerate an innocent person who's been wrongfully accused. As many as 4,000 rape kits containing DNA evidence from victims of sex crimes are sitting on police department shelves statewide, but still have not gone to a crime lab for testing, Madigan said. The failure of police departments to test so many rape kits "is such an indictment against law enforcement in how they treat crimes in which children and women are the victims," Madigan said.
Belleville News-Democrat - Belleville, IL - by MIike Fitzgerald - April 18, 2010

<Board backs plan for crime lab>
The Douglas County Board remains committed to a multimillion-dollar renovation and relocation project for the county's crime lab, despite continuing challenges to the lab's reputation. Douglas County Sheriff Tim Dunning recently received the board's approval to use up to $2.5 million of forfeited drug funds to relocate the lab and the county's K-9 units. Both units will be moved from the Sheriff's Office at 156th Street and West Maple Road to the former Thomas Fitzgerald Veterans Home, a few blocks to the east.
The Omaha World Herald - Omaha, NE - by John Ferak - April 17, 2010

<Coroner's office changes its procedure>
Beginning Monday, the Mahoning County coroner's office will no longer send investigators to death scenes. It will send a body-removal service, and its investigation will begin the next business day, Dr. David M. Kennedy, county coroner, announced Friday.
Youngstown Vindicator - Youngstown, OH -by Peter H. Milliken - April 17, 2010

<Aerial images in forensic studies>
Hyperspectral imaging" analyses visible and infrared images taken by aircraft and detects changes in vegetation caused by nutrients released from decomposing bodies. Forensic archaeologists from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, tested the technique at a Quebec safari park and detected differences in chlorophyll content of plants growing on known burial sites. The findings, presented at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences annual meeting in February, were reported in New Scientist.
Horticulture Week - London - April 16, 2010

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