Crime Scene Investigator Network Newsletter

OCTOBER 2007

Welcome to the October 2007 Crime Scene Investigator Network Newsletter

Latent Print Processing of Human Bones

Dawnie Wolfe Steadman
Assistant Professor of Biological Anthropology, Binghamton
Steven A. Andersen
Investigator, New York State Police

From the Journal of Forensic Identification
Vol. 53, No. 5, September/October 2003*

Police laboratories and forensic anthropologists are often presented with human skeletal remains of unknown provenience. Human skulls are especially common and may be the result of antiquity theft, grave robbing, recent foul play, or trophies of past wars. For example, in 2001 the first author received multiple cases of skulls and long bones for which the provenience and medicolegal significance was unclear, including a calvarium found in a book bag alongside a rural road, a skull found in a pond, and a nearly complete skull found in a drug suspect’s closet. Each of these cases may be of forensic importance, but only the putative owner of the latter skull has been identified.

Following a presentation of these and other cases at a New York State Association of County Coroners and Medical Examiners (NYSACCME) conference, the question arose as to whether latent prints could be developed on bones in order to determine who has handled the remains. The authors felt that successful latent print processing of bones was conceivable, but the question was, Which process(es) would be most suitable for human bones? No specific literature was found specifically regarding the latent print processing of human bones. However, two technical reports were discovered that relate to the processing of antlers and horns.

Latent, by definition, means hidden and not readily visible to the naked eye. As such, processing is required to develop the prints for visualization to allow documentation. With any latent print processing, the technician or investigator is faced with the problem of selecting the process that is most likely to be effective for the surface of the article that is to be processed. Applications of the wrong techniques may result in the destruction of potential latent print evidence. Human cortical bone has a somewhat unique and variable surface, and two surface conditions were utilized in this study – chemically preserved and unpreserved – which demonstrate very different characteristics.

Categorization of Bone Surfaces

In general, latent print examiners characterize surfaces as porous, nonporous, or semiporous. Assigning bone to one of these categories first requires an understanding of skeletal anatomy. The human skeleton is composed of two types of bone – compact bone that forms the hard outer surface, and the underlying highly porous trabecular, or spongy, bone. While at first glance the surface of normal human bone appears smooth except in areas of muscle attachment, cortical bone can be highly textured and is actually quite porous due to vascularization. Thus, for the purposes of latent print processing, normal bone is best categorized as a semiporous surface. However, bone fracturing, animal gnawing, sun bleaching, burial, water exposure, and other environmental factors may erode the cortical bone and further increase its surface porosity. Many types of antemortem skeletal pathologies, such as infections, metabolic diseases, or healed fractures, can also compromise cortical bone. Thus, under such conditions the bone may be categorized as highly porous. Any hope of latent print development is effectively eliminated if the cortex is completely removed and the underlying spongy bone is exposed.

< read the complete article and view the illustrations >

*From the Journal of Forensic Identification Vol. 53, No. 5, Sept/Oct 2003.
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."

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New CSI and Forensic Job Announcements

Crime Scene Technician | Fort Myers, Florida Police Department
Final Filing Date: October 26, 2007
Salary: $15.72 -- $18.57 per hour
Under the general direction of the designated supervisor, this position is responsible for processing crime scenes including, but not limited to collection and processing of latent fingerprints for use as identification, the collection and preservation of evidence, and photographing of the crime scenes and evidence.
<View complete job listing>

Evidence and Property Technician I | City of Oceanside, California
Final Filing Date: October 26, 2007
Salary: $2,577 - $3,207 per month
Under general supervision, an Evidence & Property Technician I maintains an inventory of police property issued to officers, and procures supplies to support the functions of the Oceanside Police Department. The incumbent in this position will also be responsible for receiving, identifying, preserving, classifying, tagging, and logging narcotics and other evidence and property; releasing and issuing property and evidence to employees, victims or suspects according to guidelines, court orders and established departmental policies; determining and receiving unit/division supplies and ordering same; disposing of evidence; entering disposition of records into computer terminal.
<View complete job listing>

Crime Scene Investigator I/II | El Segundo (CA) Police Department
Final Filing Date: October 29, 2007
Salary: $4000 - $5380 per month
Crime Scene Investigator I: Under direct supervision, participates and assists in performing technical crime scene investigations and analyses; receiving, inventorying and securing property and physical evidence; and performing routine, non-emergency police support functions.
Crime Scene Investigator II: Under general supervision, performs technical crime scene investigations and analyses; receives, inventories and secures property and physical evidence; and performs routine, non-emergency police support functions.
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Crime Scene Specialist | Durham, North Carolina Police Department
Final Filing Date: November 2, 2007
Salary: $37,223 – $56,109 per year
A Crime Scene Specialist is a veteran Crime Scene Investigator with extensive knowledge in crime scene processing and documentation. This position performs the duties of crime scene investigation while simultaneously supervising a small squad of Crime Scene Technicians in their assigned duties.
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Forensic Services Manager | Durham, North Carolina Police Department
Final Filing Date: October 29, 2007
Salary: $49,427.55 -- $74,504.00 per year
This is a technical/administrative civilian (non-sworn) position responsible for the administration, management and direction of personnel in the overall operation of a full service forensic services unit that includes a property/evidence unit.
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Forensic Technician | Broward County, Florida Sheriff’s Office
Final Filing Date: Open Until Filled
Salary: $32,030 - $47,323 per year
Employees in this classification perform highly specialized technical and scientific work which requires the accurate completion of a variety of standardized analytical tests, examinations, and procedures which may be complex in nature, but generally do not require interpretation of results. Position is responsible for the preparation, labeling, inventory, and maintenance of chemicals and equipment to ensure and protect the integrity of the testing procedures.
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