1. HOW TO INSTRUCTION GUIDE
FOR HOW TO PROCESS A
VEHICLE FOR EVIDENCE.

2. Vehicles are often stolen and used as transportation to commit crimes such as burglaries,
robberies, rapes, and homicides. A vehicle can also be used to transport and discard a body from
a crime scene. Vehicles can also be the crime scene itself.
The steps that a forensic technician takes when processing a vehicle are determined by
the relevance of the vehicle to the crime, therefore it is important that you consult with the case
investigator prior to processing any suspect vehicle or any vehicle pertaining to a crime. The
forensic technician must have knowledge of how the vehicle is associated with the crime.
Further, forensics personnel as well as investigators must have the proper legal authority to
search the vehicle (search warrant or permission from the owner). However there are a few
exceptions to the search warrant requirements, these are as follows; “The motor vehicle
exception allows an officer to search a vehicle without a search warrant as long as he or she has
probable cause to believe that evidence or contraband is located in the vehicle. The exception is
based on the idea that there is a lower expectation of privacy in motor vehicles due to the
regulations they operate. Additionally, the ease of mobility creates an inherent exigency to
prevent the removal of evidence and contraband.” A search warrant may direct the search of a
described vehicle
Definition of a vehicle: a vehicle is a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer (as defined in the
Vehicle and Traffic Law), an aircraft, any vessel equipped for propulsion by mechanical means
or by sail, and any snowmobile as defined in the parks and recreation law (See Penal Law §
10.00 [14]).

3. RESPONDING TO A CRIME SCENE-FIRST RESPONDER:
That first officer on the scene begins by establishing the crime scene and securing it. The
officer or investigator needs to keep people out of the area where the crime occurred, and also
where the perpetrator may have been before or after the crime occurred. Any area where the
victim or suspect was present needs to be sealed off, along with an outer perimeter around that.
Also, the officer must obtain consent to search the crime scene from whomever controls or owns
the property.
Just as you would at any crime scene one of the first things to be done is a quick visual search of
the vehicle. This insures that there are no people, dangerous substances or explosives in the
vehicle. You must wear surgical gloves when examining the vehicle especially if the type of
crime it was involved in is unclear. Try not to sit on the seats when looking for any ownership
information.
All the following information about the vehicle should be obtained:
 Year
 Make
 Model
 License plate
 VIN
 Color
 Damage

4. PHOTOGRAPHS
The forensic technician or crime scene unit personnel should take the following photographs of a
vehicle within a crime or officer-involved shooting scene. . They will take pictures of the car
from overlapping angles, and may even open the doors to get interior shots before the car is
moved. The following are important photographs to be taken;
•Overall views of the area in which the vehicle is located, photographed in the same
manner as overall views of any other outdoor crime scene.
•Orientation views of any evidence items near the vehicle, photographed in the same
manner as an outdoor crime scene.
•The four sides of the vehicle, if possible, filling each photo frame with one side of the
vehicle.
•A close-up photograph of the vehicle’s license plate and vehicle identification number
(VIN). The VIN is located on the dash near the driver’s side.
•If the vehicle has license plates, the front and rear plates must be verified and compared
to ensure they are the same, then the plate number must be matched to the VIN.
• Note the position of the seats, tilt wheel, accelerator, brake pedal, side view mirrors and
rear view mirror.
•Photograph of any evidence on the exterior of the vehicle, with orientation and close-up
views captured also with a scale (measuring device) in place if possible.

5. •The forensic technician should search for any fragile evidence (hairs and fibers) on the
exterior of the vehicle, including fingerprints. The forensic technician should place an
evidence placard near each evidence and photograph orientation and close-up views of
the evidence with the placard in the photo’s frame. Subsequently, the location of the
evidence is documented and the evidence is collected.
***These photographs are very important in order to depict the scene and the vehicles position in
relation to the scene itself.Must be accurate and detailed***
After exterior photographs are obtained, the forensic technician should measure and sketch the
vehicle into the crime scene diagram.
TIRE TRACKS AND FOOTPRINTCASTING AND MEASURMENTS
Tire tracks and footprints may both be present. These must be photographed also.. Always
photograph tire tracks on a 1:1 scale with a ruler or other measuring device visible along the
bottom of the photograph. When casting tire tracks in mud dental stone will work. If you are
trying to cast tire tracks or footprints in snow there is a commercially available product which
can stabilize snow called Snow Print Wax. Although it seems strange because it is mixed hot the
best method seems to be the use of flour sulfur, it must be mixed properly and boiled. However,
on contact with snow it hardens creating an accurate cast. If tire track impressions where taken
measurements of the tread width and comparison prints should be taken. Tread width
measurements are taken from the point of one tread line to the one opposite it. Again, always
photograph the tread pattern with a measurement instrument in view to show scale.
DECIDING WHTHER TO TRANSFERTHE VEHICLE OR ANALYZE IT
AT THE SCENE
Once it has been secured and photographs obtained, it must be determined if the vehicle can be
transported. The decision to process the vehicle at the crime scene or at the agency’s impound
facility is dependent upon the relevance of the vehicle to the crime. It may be necessary to
process the vehicle’s interior at the crime scene. If practical, the forensic technician should have
the vehicle towed to the agency impound facility prior to beginning processing. Before removal,
the vehicle’s exterior and driver area within the vehicle should be processed to prevent
destruction of evidence during the vehicle transportation. If a body is located inside the vehicle,
for example, photographs and measurements of the body must be obtained prior to removal of
the vehicle from the scene. The forensic technician should consult the case investigator if unsure
of processing priorities. Instruct the Tow Truck Operator that if he/she has to enter the vehicle
that gloves and a mask should be worn. If it appears that soil adhering to the vehicle may be used
as evidence, request that the vehicle be transported using a flatbed tow truck rather than one that
uses a dolly system, this is because large chunks of soil in wheel wells and on the undercarriage

6. can be analyzed to determine where the vehicle has been If a flatbed truck is not available soil
samples can be collected before towing, to ensure they are not dislodged or lost during transport.
When the vehicle is ready for towing a police officer should follow the tow truck to the area
where it will be processed. This insures chain of evidence. The area should be secure and have
temperature regulation. In cold climates vehicles must be brought indoors and allowed to dry
before fingerprinting can be done. In very warm climates moving the vehicle indoors can help
preserve heat sensitive biological evidence such as DNA.
***Garages with forced airelectrical heaterswhich blowair downward onto the vehicle are not
appropriate. These typesof heatersdestroy or scatter hair,fiber,paint transfer, soil and other trace
evidence***
***Thegeneral ruleis to record and collect evidenceas you proceed from the
outside to the insideof the vehicle***
***Alwayshave on gloves, a hair cap and ifnecessary, protective overalls, as to
not transfer any hairs or fibers to the scene***

7. PROCESSINGTHE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE
The forensic technician should record information about the vehicle, including the year of
manufacture, make (manufacturer), model, color, number of doors, license plate and VIN
numbers, and any remarkable damage to the vehicle.
Next, the forensic technician needs to photograph the vehicle. The camera settings used are
dependent upon the lighting situation. If the vehicle is inside a building, a flash unit should be
used. The following photographs and evidence should be obtained.
Here are some examples of the different
photographs required from the vehicle.
1. Overall photographs of the four sides of the vehicle.
2. A close-up photograph of the license plate(s) and VIN number.
3. Medium and close-up views of any damage to the vehicle, with a scale (measuring device)
placed next to the damage.
4. Evidentiary items on the vehicle’s exterior such as bullet holes or blood. An orientation photo
should be taken to show the location of the evidence on the vehicle.

8. 5. An evidence placard should be assigned and placed next to each evidence item. An orientation
photo is taken with the evidence placard in place.
6. A close-up view of each evidence item is photographed, with a scale in place. The
photographer should fill the camera’s frame with the evidence, placard, and the scale, ensuring
that the face of the camera lens is directly in front of and parallel to the evidence.
7. The forensic technician will then collect evidence from the exterior of the vehicle. The
forensic technician should swab the undersides of the door handles to collect material for
possible DNA analysis, this is done by; placing two drops of distilled water on a sterile swab,
and the undersides of the door handles are then swabbed for DNA evidence. The forensic
technician should photograph the locations that were swabbed. Then the swabs are packaged
appropriately and sent to or forwarded to the lab.
8. The forensic technician may process the exterior of the vehicle for latent fingerprints, forensic
technician should photograph the developed fingerprints prior to lifting the print. The general
areas to be dusted are the door handles, top of the door, gas tank cover and widows. The type of
powder used for dusting these areas is up to the individual technician but should be of a color
which contrasts the color of the vehicle. Once this is done any visible prints should be labeled,
photographed and lifted. It is advisable to photograph the fingerprint’s location on the vehicle.
Below is the recommended way of labeling and collecting latent prints off a vehicle:
1) Circle the print or set of prints with a grease pencil of which the color is in contrast to
the vehicle's color.
2) Mark the outside edge of the circle with the number of the print or set of prints. For
example if the three prints are the first set you find it is labeled R-1. R is used because it
is obvious when the letter R is reversed. (This can happen when the prints are lifted and
are being view from the wrong side of the print card.)
3) After the letter R and the number of the print letters representing the individual
fingerprints are added. The label will then read R-1 a,b,c.
4) Apply scale tape to show the size of the fingerprint horizontally underneath each print.
It is important to place the scale tape in this way to help reduce photographic distortion of
the scale.
5) Within the circle label each print as a, b, or c and so on. Draw an arrow to indicate
which way is up.
6) On the outside of the circle add the case number, the date and the technician's
identification number or regimental number.
7) Apply fingerprinting powder to the entire circle for contrast and photograph at F32.
The depth of field should be as large as possible. The resolution should be 1:1. (Remove
the flash from the top or side of the camera and let it dangle below the camera to avoid
hotspots on the photographs.)

9. ***The prints can be lifted using smooth surface lifter tape. For rougher surfaces a
commercially available product called Gellifters can be used. Gellifters have the drawback of
producing a reverse image or the print whereas Tape gives an accurate view because if can be
viewed from either side***
PROCESSINGTHE VEHICLE’S INTERIOR
A flash unit should be used, indoors or out. To avoid reflection, the flash should not be directed
toward window glass. To avoid distorted shadows, the flash should not be pointed toward a door
jam or car seat. The following overall interior views should be photographed.
1. With all doors except the driver’s closed, the forensic technician should stand outside the open
door and photograph an overall view of the front seat and floor from the driver’s viewpoint.
2. The driver’s seat is photographed, followed by the driver’s floor area.
3. The door pocket (if applicable) of the driver’s door is photographed.
4. The ceiling over the driver’s seat is photographed.
5. The forensic technician will close the driver’s door and open the right-front passenger door,
repeating the photographic procedure used to obtain photos of the driver’s area.
6. The center console and the glove compartment should be opened and photographed.
7. The forensic technician will close the right front passenger door and move in a clock- wise
direction, taking photographs of the interior from each remaining vehicle door, including overall
views of the seats and floors as well as applicable door and seat pockets.
8. An overall view of the trunk, hatch, or back area is photographed.
9. An overall view of the interior of the engine compartment should be photographed.
SEARCHING FOR HAIRS OR FIBERS

10. To avoid loss or destruction of trace evidence, all vehicle compartment doors should remain
closed except for the doorway used to gain access to the area being processed for evidence.
Hair and fiber evidence can be collected using a vacuum system or using lifting tape. The tape is
used to lift hair and fiber from the interior surfaces of the vehicle. The tape is then transferred to
lift cards and labeled as to which part of the vehicle they came. This method would be used in
cases of sexual assault, kidnapping/abduction, murder and other crimes where it is necessary to
establish the presence of a suspect or a victim inside a vehicle. Hair and fiber may also be
recovered from the bumpers, windshields and undercarriage of vehicles involved in hit and runs.
• A flashlight with a bright light should be used and held at an oblique (less than 90-degree)
angle when searching for hairs and fibers. The fiber or hair should be photographed and marked
with a numbered evidence marker. A suspect hair or fiber should be placed in a bindle if able to
pick it up using tweezers. The bindle is then placed at the site where the hair or fiber was
discovered.
• You will then search for additional evidence within the vehicle. The search focuses on evidence
related to the crime or evidence that may provide a forensic link to the suspect or the victim. The
forensic technician should divide the passenger compartment of the vehicle into quadrants
(sections) and search each quadrant thoroughly. You must search under the seats, floor mats, and
carpet, and within every other cavity in each quadrant. Caution must be exercised to prevent
personal injury from broken glass or needles that may be hidden within recessed areas.
***Recommended to double glove during the interior search in case of needles or any other
harmful substance***
Examples of Quadrants - Quadrant 1 may include the driver’s seat, floor, door pocket, sun visor,
cup holder, and center console. Quadrant 2 may include the right-front passenger’s seat, floor,
door pocket, sun visor, glove compartment, cup holder, and ash tray. Then the right and left rear
passenger areas would be quadrants 3 and 4 and the trunk area would be quadrant 5.
• If an evidence item is located, place a numbered evidence placard near the item. Evidence
numbers should be assigned systematically through- out the vehicle. If an item of trace evidence
was located earlier and placed in a bindle, photographs should have been obtained and then the
item placed in the bindle with the a numbered evidence placard placed near the bindle as to not
use that number again.
• The trunk area is searched and evidence placards assigned as appropriate.
• The engine compartment is searched.
• Obtain orientation photographs showing the evidence items within the vehicle, followed by
close- up views with a scale in place. If an evidence item is located under a seat, it may be
removed from its location to be photographed.

11. • For genetic (DNA) profiling purposes, the forensic technician should swab the steering wheel,
gear shift lever or knob, door handles, seatbelt and buckles can be swabbed. Cigarette butts can
be collected in a paper envelope. As a rule biological evidence is best stored in paper to avoid
degradation which occurs if the sample is or becomes wet. Wet samples such as blood soaked
clothing or upholstery should be air dried before packaging. Drink containers are also a source of
DNA.
***Do not heat dry biological samples***
• If blood is located on a seat, the floor, or upholstery of the vehicle, a portion of the fabric or
carpet containing the blood evidence should be removed. Blood located on hard surfaces of the
vehicle may be swabbed. The forensic technician should also examine seatbelts for possible
blood or trace evidence.
• Measurements to identify the exact location of evidence items inside a vehicle are not obtained
unless reconstruction of the vehicle interior scene is a possibility. Policies and procedures in this
regard depend on the type of case and the agency’s protocol. Scene reconstruction within
vehicles is usually limited to a determination of a bullet’s trajectory or bloodstain pattern
analysis. In either case, a subject matter expert is usually consulted.
• Drug evidence can come in many forms. The best response to this situation is to bag and store
items in the same condition that it was found. That is if it is dry store it in paper evidence bags. If
it is wet store it in the original container and package around the original container.
• The evidence is collected and packaged appropriately.
• Finally, the forensic technician will process the interior of the vehicle and the trunk interior (if
applicable) for latent fingerprints.
***The forensic technician should photograph the developed fingerprints as well as the
locations from which the latent prints are lifted. Vehicle surfaces that typically yield classifiable
latent fingerprints include windows, interior door frames, smooth door finishes, seatbelt buckles,
smooth instrument panel surfaces, door handles, and rearview and vanity mirrors. Surfaces
unlikely to yield classifiable fingerprints typically include textured dashboards and steering
wheels, and other rough surfaces. In some cases, however, special fingerprint processing
techniques can be employed to locate and lift fingerprint evidence from rough surfaces***
PAPER AND QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS
Any paper or questioned documents can be placed in a paper envelope and transferred to the
laboratory for fingerprinting and handwriting analysis.
This also applies when dealing with money stain with dye pack dyes. If the money is dry it can
be placed in plastic evidence bags.

12. CONTROL SAMPLES
Whenever any samples are taken exemplar or control samples should be taken. If paint, fiber or
other trace evidence is collected a sample from an area not thought to contain evidence should be
taken. This helps insure that a substance in the natural paint, fiber or other material inside the
vehicle doesn't contain material which might cause a false laboratory result.
BULLETS OR SHELL CASINGS/ BALLISTICS EVIDENCE
Bullets or shell casings may be found inside the vehicle or lodged in the body of the vehicle.
Vehicles involved in drive by shootings, gang related activities and robberies commonly have
this type of evidence in them.
Ballistics evidence is used for two types of identification. The lands and grooves as well as the
direction of twist created when the barrel was manufactured are unique to the various
manufacturers. The number of lands and grooves plus the direction of twist will tell an
investigator the make and model of the weapon that fired the bullet. The striations on the bullet
are created by minute imperfections inside the barrel. These tiny markings can be matched to a
specific weapon. It is therefore important when dealing with bullets to handle them in a way in
which damage to these tiny lines is prevented.
Loose bullets or casings are best collected by hand using latex gloves. Each bullet should be
wrapped in protective material and packaged in such a way as to prevent jostling. Plastic vials
filled with protective material can be used to store individual bullets.
If the bullets are lodged in the body of the vehicle they may have to be removed using tweezers
or forceps. If this becomes necessary use rubber/vinyl coated ones. Use of metal instruments can

13. cause damage to the markings on the bullet destroying the possibility of a match to a suspect's
weapon. It may become necessary to use the services of a person skilled in auto body work to
assist with the removal of door panels etc. to recover bullets. When interior door panels are being
removed place a felt pad below the open door to prevent the bullets from falling to the ground
and being damaged.
Stringing or lasers can be used to determine the trajectories of bullets or the spatter patterns of
blood.
Bullets can also yield fingerprints especially if a weapon is recovered which still contains unfired
rounds. Always package live round separately and label the package clearly as to the contents.
DRUG EVIDENCE
Drug evidence can come in many forms. The best response to this situation is to bag and store
items in the same condition that it was found. That is if it is dry store it in paper evidence bags. If
it is wet store it in the original container and package around the original container.
PAINT EVIDENCE
Paint may be transferred from one vehicle to another in the case of a hit and run. Paint transfer to
or from an object which might have been struck may also occur. Paint flecks can be gently
scraped into a plastic or paper envelope. If feasible the entire bumper or other area of the vehicle
can be removed and sent to the laboratory. The F.B.I. maintains a record of many of the colors
and chemical profiles of vehicle paints. Samples can be submitted for analysis.

14. ***When all the evidenceis packaged itcan be transported to the Laboratory
whichwillbefurther processing the evidence. It is advisablefor the investigating
officer to consultwiththe supervisorat the laboratory as to the natureof the
crime. If the laboratorypersonnel know whatthe investigatoristrying to
determinehe/she can direct the appropriatetesting***
VEHICLE PROCESSING:SPECIAL CASES
In addition to the vehicle processing protocol discussed previously, the forensic technician
should search for the following evidence when one of the following special cases occur in
the vehicle.
RAPE OR CHILD MOLESTATTION INSIDE A VEHICLE
In addition to the vehicle processing protocol discussed previously, the forensic technician
should search for the following evidence when an alleged rape or molestation occurs inside a
vehicle.
• An alternate light source (ALS) should be used to search for seminal fluid.
***Most ALS devices are equipped with a white light option. For seminal fluid, an ALS
frequency with a 400 nanometer (nm) range is preferred, using yellow or orange goggles to view
the evidence***
The following procedure is recommended when attempting to locate seminal fluid with an
ALS:
1. With a bright white light, conduct a visual search for trace evidence such as hair, fibers, or
biological evidence such as blood.
2. Adjust the ALS to 425 mm. With yellow goggles covering the eyes, hold the light source a
few inches away from the suspected evidence and scan the evidence until a glow is observed.
Seminal fluid glows a yellowish green color under this light frequency. If no seminal fluid is
located, adjust the ALS to a higher frequency, such as 485 nm, and use orange goggles to view
the evidence.
3. After the evidence is located, the substance should be photographed. If a suspect stain is
located on vehicle seat fabric, a carpeted floor, steering wheel or dash, it should be photographed
without and with a numbered evidence placard.

15. ***An acid phosphatase presumptive test for semen may be used if a suspected seminal
substance is located. A presumptive test for semen is conducted in a manner similar to a
presumptive blood test. The acid phosphatase test is not confirmatory for semen. Rather, it
eliminates a sub- stance that is not seminal fluid and it helps the forensic technician determine if
further analysis or collection is necessary***
To conduct a presumptive seminal test and collect seminal fluid, the following procedure is
recommended:
1. The forensic technician may conduct an acid phosphatase presumptive seminal fluid test prior
to collecting the semen evidence. Wearing protective gloves, place a few drops of distilled water
on filter paper that accompanies the presumptive test kit.
2. Place the moist filter paper on the questionable substance and hold in place for one minute.
While the filter paper is on the substance, squeeze the two ampoules that are enclosed in the test
tube until both break, emptying the contents into the test tube. Shake the test tube for one minute.
One should hold a finger against the lid of the tube to prevent test liquid leakage.
3. Remove the filter paper from the questioned substance. Remove the lid from the presumptive
test tube and place the opening of the tube and its contents against the filter paper.
4. If the presumptive test turns a purple color within 30 seconds, it is a positive reaction.
***Note that the seminal presumptive test may not produce a color reaction immediately. If the
color change occurs after 30 seconds, it is considered a negative reaction. If the reaction is
positive, the evidence should be collected and submitted to the crime lab for confirmatory testing
and DNA analysis. Some laboratories bypass the acid phosphatase presumptive test and require
all evidence containing suspected seminal fluid to be analyzed in the laboratory***
6. If the suspected seminal fluid is located on the carpet or a car seat, the affected area should be
removed, not swabbed. This procedure will ensure that the entire stain and a sufficient amount of
DNA are collected.
***Approximately half of a person’s genetic information is contained in a single sperm cell.
Approximately 80 sperm cells are necessary to complete a comprehensive male DNA profile.
Therefore, a substantial amount of the suspect substance must be collected. The forensic
technician should consult with the case investigator prior to removing carpet or car seat
samples***
7. If the questionable substance is located on a hard, nonporous surface, such as a the steering
wheel or dash board, should collect the substance in the same manner used to collect blood -
Two drops of distilled water should be placed on a sterile swab and the suspect substance should
be transferred completely to the swab. Using more than two drops of distilled water may dilute
the substance. The swab should be dried, packaged in a bindle or swab holder, and frozen.

16. Processing the interior of the vehicle for fingerprints:
When processing the inside surface of a vehicle window for fingerprints, smears indicative of a
struggle from a hand or a foot may be observed. Although the detail of the print may not be
sufficient for comparison purposes, the friction skin smears may be valuable evidence to validate
movement and possibly corroborate a victim’s statement.
The forensic technician should take overall and medium view photographs of the smeared print
as well as a close-up view with a scale to illustrate the location of the print.
• After all evidence is collected, the forensic technician should examine and test the child safety
door locks and document window obstructions and seat positioning, through photographs,
measurements and sketches also.
***Child safety locks are often located on the interior rear doors of vehicles. Their purpose is to
prevent a child from opening the door of a moving vehicle. Some child safety locks are activated
with an upward or downward movement of a button, while others are activated with a key***
If the victim was attacked in the rear seat and the vehicle contains child safety locks, the forensic
technician should photograph and process the locks for fingerprints. The victim may have
attempted an escape by accessing the locks. Orientation and close-up views of the locks needed
to be obtained.
***The lock can be tested by sitting in the back seat of the vehicle, with the doors closed, and
attempting to open the doors from the inside. If the doors remain secured, the child safety lock is
activated. The results of the test need to be documented in the final report***
• In some child molestation cases, perpetrators attempt to obstruct an outside person’s view
through the vehicle’s window. Dark tint may be installed on the windows, sunshades may be
placed throughout, or curtains are lowered. If the vehicle was parked in a public area when the
incident occurred, the forensic technician should determine the type of lighting (e.g., day or
night, artificial light inside a parking structure) that illuminated the vehicle when the alleged
incident occurred. If it is at all possible, the forensic technician should place the vehicle in
similar lighting and take photographs from outside the vehicle toward the inside, thus
documenting one’s ability to view the interior of the vehicle.
***If at all possible, have another forensic technician enter the vehicle and obtain pictures from
outside the vehicle looking in, in order to document whether you are able to see the other person
or not, this should also be done from the inside of the vehicle outwards too***
***If curtain or shades were believed to be drawn, then the technician should photograph the
outside and inside views in the same fashion as stated above to reflect the exact setting when the
incident occurred**
***These tests and photographs must be noted in the final report***

17. • In some vehicles, seats recline or can unfold into a prone position. Seats should be positioned in
the same manner as reported by the victim. The results should be documented and photographed.
STOLEN VEHICLES
A vehicle may be stolen and used as a tool to commit another crime. The stolen vehicle is often
abandoned after the criminal transaction is complete. The manner in which the vehicle is stolen
depends on the auto thief’s skill, knowledge, and preferred method of operation (MO). Some car
thieves use shaved keys to unlock car doors and activate vehicle ignitions. Others use a slim-jim
to open vehicle doors and a screwdriver to replace a key in the ignition. Still others severely
damage the exterior door locks and hotwire (short-circuit) the ignition to start and steal the
vehicle. If the vehicle was reported stolen, the forensic technician should take orientation and
close-up photographs of the exterior door locks and the ignition switch area.
BODY DUMPS
If a vehicle may have been used to transport and dump a body, the forensic technician will search
for evidence beyond that which is normally sought during standard vehicle processing
procedures. Although the vehicle may not contain visible evidence of the presence of blood, the
forensic technician should apply chemicals such as Luminol, Bluestar, or Fluorescein in an
attempt to locate blood, which may not be visible to the unaided eye.
***Traces of latent blood may be detected at cleaned crime scenes through the application of
blood-enhancing chemicals such as Luminol or Bluestar. Each is highly sensitive to diluted
blood and will glow in reaction to the presence of blood. Neither requires the aid of a forensic
light source. Fluorescein, another blood-enhancing chemical, requires the use of a forensic light
source to view the reaction***

18. When an investigator receives information regarding the possible location of latent blood, a
blood-enhancing chemical may be used to identify the exact location. However, prior to using
any blood-enhancing chemical, a forensic technician should attempt to locate visible blood.
If visible blood is not located, Luminol, Bluestar, or Fluorescein is applied. Complete darkness is
preferred when using any of these chemicals. The blood evidence should be photographed and
collected according to the following protocol.
• Place a camera on a tripod and attach a shutter release cable to the camera. Take a flash
photograph of the suspect area prior to application of the chemical. The following camera
settings are recommended.
– 800 ISO,
– The widest aperture (lowest f-stop) possible for the camera’s lens,
– “bulb” shutter speed.
• Luminol or Bluestar is sprayed on the suspected area. At the first sign of a reaction, the
camera’s shutter release cable should be activated, opening the shutter. The shutter should
remain open until the reaction disappears. If the reaction continues for three minutes or longer,
the shutter is closed.
• If Fluorescein is chosen, an alternate (forensic) light source set to 450 nm is used. An orange
filter is placed over the camera lens before photography begins. To prevent overexposure of the
photograph, the shutter should not remain open longer than one minute
After Luminol, Bluestar, or Fluorescein is applied and the chemical’s reaction is photographed,
DO NOT repeat the process in an attempt to obtain better photographic results. Over-application
of a chemical to the suspect area may dilute the biological evidence, rendering it useless for
DNA analysis. Rather, the affected area should be removed and transported to the DNA lab for
analysis.
***Luminol, Bluestar, and Fluorescein are used for presumptive blood testing only. The tests are
not confirmatory for blood. The chemicals can produce false positive reactions when placed in
contact with some other chemicals and certain organic materials***

19. In many body dump cases, foreign material or trace evidence from the body dump scene may
adhere to the vehicle. Therefore, the forensic technician should collect soil samples from the
vehicle’s tires and search for plant or soil material in and on the vehicle. This can be analyzed to
try and find the possible dump site.
VEHICLE COLLISIONS
Many police agencies operate specialized traffic management units staffed with investigators
who receive vehicle collision reconstruction training. Most of the investigators are trained in
forensic photography, scene sketching, and evidence collection. Therefore, a collision
investigator may not require the services of a forensic technician at a collision scene. However, a
forensic technician’s assistance may be needed for a multi-vehicle collision scene, especially for
photography and evidence collection purposes.
The forensic technician will follow the lead investigator’s direction when assisting at a major
vehicle collision scene. If the collision occurred at an intersection subject to heavy traffic, the
scene must be processed as quickly as possible. The following photographs are taken of a motor
vehicle collision (MVC) within an intersection:
1. Photograph the location of the intersection, including street signs.
2. Consult with the investigator to learn how each driver should have viewed the intersection
upon approach. The forensic technician will take multiple photographs with the focal length set
at 50 mm (this is closest to the human eye), documenting each driver’s approach to the
intersection, frame by frame as they would have approached the intersection.

20. 3. Photograph traffic signs and signal lights as well as any obstructions, such as trees, fences, or
buildings from each driver’s viewpoint, facing the intersection.
4. Photograph tire skid marks (if present) from the vehicles.
5. At the intersection, photograph overlapping views from each approach to and each corner of
the intersection. Take overall views away from each side and each corner of the vehicles
involved.
6. Photograph the point of impact (location where vehicles collided). Photograph the position
and relationship of any debris resulting from the collision.
7. Photograph overall, orientation, and close-up views of collision damage to and the point of
impact on each vehicle, with measurement scales placed near the damage on each vehicle.
8. Consult with the investigator regarding evidence to be collected. Place evidence placards near
the evidence. Photograph orientation and close-up views in the same manner as in outdoor crime
scenes.
9. Search for and photograph vehicle speedometers, which may indicate the speed of the vehicles
at the time of impact. Alcohol containers in the vehicles should be photographed and collected as
evidence. The vehicle ignition area is photographed to document a key in place. If no key is in
the ignition, the vehicle may be stolen.
10. If assisting with the sketch and diagram of the collision scene, consult with the investigator
regarding necessary measurements. Record measurements of the width of the streets, the

21. intersection, the vehicles involved, and the location of evidence (including the vehicles) within
the scene.
11. If the collision resulted in fatalities and bodies are present, photograph and measure the
location of the bodies in the same manner as in a homicide scene. From several different angles,
including close ups of any injuries.
12. If it is nighttime, photograph each view of the scene, using timed exposures. Reflective chalk
may be used to highlight evidence items within the scene. Additionally, the forensic technician
should examine the headlight switch inside each vehicle to determine if the lights were on at the
time of the collision.
HIT AND RUNS
If a person involved in a collision flees the scene on foot or in a vehicle, the collision is referred
to as a hit-and-run. At hit-and-run collision scenes, the forensic technician will search for
evidence that links the fleeing person or vehicle to the scene. Broken glass, headlamps,
reflectors, grillwork and other debris from the missing vehicle are photographed and collected.
Skid marks from the suspect’s vehicle tires are photographed as well.
Vehicles at the scene should be examined for paint from the suspect’s missing vehicle that
transferred upon impact to vehicles at the scene. After the suspect vehicle is located, it is usually
processed by a forensic technician.
The technician will process the vehicle in the same manner as any other vehicle used in a crime,
with special attention directed toward the following:
• If the suspect vehicle hit a pedestrian, the forensic technician should search for clothing fibers,
fabric impressions, hair, blood, and biological evidence as well as fingerprints on the vehicle’s
hood, undercarriage, or any other part of the vehicle that may have come in contact with the
victim’s body.
• If the suspect vehicle hit another car, paint transfer from the victim’s vehicle should be
photographed and collected using a clean scalpel or razor blade. The paint can be analyzed to
determine its origin. The F.B.I. maintains a record of many of the colors and chemical profiles of
vehicle paints. Samples can be submitted for analysis.