As forensic technology becomes more sophisticated, courts are demanding more scientific content and juries are expecting meticulous confirmation of facts alleged. Greater attention is now paid to increasingly finer details and improved methods of describing every form of evidence. Applying physics, chemistry, and engineering to the process of analysis and interpretation, Mechanics of Impression Evidence reflects the shift to these heightened standards and offers a starting point for significant change in the way that impression evidence is considered, utilized, and presented.

Concepts discussed in this groundbreaking text include:

The three-dimensional nature of the human fingerprint and a shift toward a more holistic image of the surface of friction skin Dimensional stability and striation mark issues, which can change the way footwear outsoles are evaluated and compared The research and development of electrostatic scans that could possibly save lives and locate or describe evidence as never before The growing availability of new measurement techniques that can improve evidence testimony The use of personal experimentation to support conclusions or confirm that which is otherwise considered fact

Making use of logic and science to question our approach to impression evidence, this volume begins with simple ideas and basic notions and uses these building blocks to suggest and consider potentially controversial changes in the way evidence is located, interpreted, compared, and presented.

Contents

Forensic Analysis of Wood DNA; S. L Wilson and D. S. Pierce

Introduction

Materials, Methods, and Results

Discussion

Signs of Evolution

A New Beginning for Forensics

Substrate to Structure

Forces

A Basic Look at a Popular Substrate

Symmetry

Perspective

Ivory Tower Syndrome

The View Has Changed

The Basis

The Ground We Walk On

Soil Composition

The Stru Soil

Influences that Act on Soils

A Curious Destination for Minerals and Dyes

Measurement; E. Liscio and D. S. Pierce

The Relevance of Measurement

Accuracy and Language Issues

Photogrammetry

Stereoscopic Images and Scanning Synopsis

Fluids; P. Mallay and D. S. Pierce

Simple Drops

Modeling Droplets

Sample Calculation

Experimental Process

Friction and Fluids

Analysis and Comparison

Summary

Surface Pairings

The Value of a Surface Pairing

Sequential Analysis

Transfer

Coincidental Impressions

Paired Surfaces at a Point of Contact

Industrial Materials

Bias

Sources of Bias

Creation Theory Bias

The Awful Truth about Bias

Errors

Validation

Confirmation

Exhibits to Evidence

Re-Creating the Scene

The Use of Observations

Validation Study of Three-Dimension...