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Forensic Examinations

Advanced Scientific Methods and Procedures in the Forensic Investigation of Clandestine Graves

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Abstract

Our goal is to discuss the new technologies and procedures that we have developed for the discovery and recovery of buried victims. We argue that forensic investigations of clandestine graves must be grounded in the most advanced scientific methods and evidence-collection techniques available. A structured program that includes an interdisciplinary team of forensic scientists and law enforcement experts is proposed to facilitate all aspects of the investigative and legal process. Such issues are of great relevance because most legal jurisdictions have a number of cases each year and present operating procedures are not standardized. There is a clear need for national dialog to improve our investigative efforts and insure best practices in forensic science across legal jurisdictions and law enforcement agencies.

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In this article, we summarize our research efforts related to detection of clandestine graves and we propose protocols for future forensic investigative endeavors. Our discussion is based on practical experience and case studies of both new and cold case...

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Shattered: Analysis Of Forensic Glass

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By: Vincenzo D. Crawford Bs. Forensic Science Vincenzo D. Crawford Bs. Forensic Science University of Technology (U-Tech), Jamaica
GLASS ANALYSIS
TYPES OF GLASS, HOW TO DETERMINE THE DENSITY OF GLASS, AND ANALYSIS OF GLASS FRACTURE PATTERNS
 Glass can be considered as hard liquid. It is a hard material but brittle in its formation; defined by the online Oxford English dictionary as an inorganic product of fusion which has been cooled to a rigid condition to become a non-crystalline solid and which makes glass amorphous in nature. Its melting point is not definite and glass is quite complicated in its molecular composition. This laboratory experiment was executed in light of a scenario that conveyed a car accident which occurred, resulting in the breaking of the head lamp of a car owner, who was suspected to be in the wrong. Pieces of glass from the crime sceneand edges of the suspect’s headlamp were collected for analysis.

Additional Resource: Ch 5 Forensic Analysis Of Glass (5380 downloads )

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How Do Forensic Investigators Analyze Ballistic Evidence?

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Firearms & Ballistics

Firearm investigation is a specialty of forensic science focusing on the examination of firearms and related subjects. Closely linked to this is ballistics, which relates to the flight path of projectiles, often associated with forensic science during the investigation of firearms. This area of study examines the path of a bullet from when it leaves the firearm up until it strikes the target. During investigations in which the use of firearms is suspected, a number of artefacts may be collected for examination, including firearms, cartridge cases, bullets, live ammunition, trace materials, and any material damaged by a projectile.

The study of firearms and firearm ballistics is often divided in internal, external and terminal ballistics. Internal ballistics refers to the processes inside the firearm, the minute space of time between the shooter pulling the trigger and the bullet exiting the muzzle of the gun. Following this, external ballistics deals with the bullet’s flight between leaving the firearm and striking a target. Finally,...

Additional Resource: Firearms & Ballistics

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Shattered: Forensic Glass Analysis

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Introduction

Glass has been shown to be very useful evidence because it is open encountered in criminal investigations. For example, when a burglar breaks a window pane, small fragments of glass are open showered onto his or her hair, clothing, or shoes, and these fragments can later be found on the suspect as transfer evidence. is chapter describes the many different types of glass commonly found at crime scenes and explains how glass fragments can be placed in specific classes through the use of optical and nonoptical analysis methods. In addition, the chapter describes how to individualize a glass fragment by making a fracture match.

Types of Glass

Glass is a solid that is not crystalline but rather has an amorphous structure. e atoms of an amorphous solid have a random, disordered arrangement, unlike the regular, orderly arrangement that is characteristic of crystalline solids. Another characteristic property of glass is that it softens over a wide temperature range rather than melting sharply at a well-defined temperature...

Additional Resource: Ch 5 Forensic Analysis Of Glass (5380 downloads )

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