Running Head: Unit 9 Final Essay Exam

Unit 9 Final Essay Exam
Rhonda Forbes
Kaplan University

CJ328-01 Forensic Fingerprint Analysis
Professor Jean V. Gardner, MS, CSCSA
May 24, 2011
One of the most important purposes of physical evidence is to establish the identity of a suspect or victim. Some of the most valuable clues at a crime scene are fingerprints. "Processing a crime scene" is a long, tedious process that involves focused documentation of the conditions at the scene and the collection of any physical evidence that could possibly shed light on what happened and point to who did it.
Before the collection process, the items must be marked, photographed and documented. There are many different types of techniques used …show more content…

The six pack of cold beer on the floor near the beer cooler can be dusted for prints at the scene, only if the cans are not wet. If they are wet, allow the cans to dry and then process. The cans can also be transported super glue fuming back at the laboratory. The carton section of the six pack along with the cigar box of cash on the floor next to the deceased, should be packaged separately in a paper or plastic and transported to be chemically processed as well. Even though these cans may have many prints on them from the many customers that have entered the store, it is still a possibility that one of the cans may yield a print that matches the suspect. The spent bullet casing should be collected as evidence as well, but not for fingerprints, but should also be packaged separately from the weapon to eliminate cross contamination. If possible the piece of material that contains the bullet should be removed with the bullet to the laboratory, even if it has to be cut away from where it is intact. All of these pieces of evidence could possibly give identification to one or more of the shooters involved in the shooting
Before questioning any witnesses, you should first prepare yourself for questioning. Separate all witnesses, speak to