criminology201 notes

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CHAPTER FIVE (IMPRINT EVIDENCE AND OTHER SPECIALITIES)
Second Semester 2023

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(IMPRINT EVIDENCE AND OTHER SPECIALITIES)
IMPRINT – A mark created by pressing against a surface – paragraph 5.1 of page 122 reveals that
IMPRINT EVIDENCE is physical evidence that results from the contact between two objects or surfaces.
Recent advances in the field of DNA Analysis, The SCIENCE OF FINGERPRINTING is still commonly used as a form
of identification, whether it has been taken in the traditional way using ink and paper or scanned into a computer database.
FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATION is based on the classification of fingerprint patterns, which cannot only prove that a
person was present at a crime scene, but can also be used to compare with the stored fingerprints of millions of other known
criminals (i.e. National Forensic DNA Database of South Africa (the “NFDD”).
IMPRESSION EVIDENCE can be generally defined as objects that have retained the characteristics of other objects
through direct contact with enough force to leave an impression of the object and marks on a fired bullet are several
examples of impression evidence.
EXAMPLES OF IMPRESSION EVIDENCE: Include the following among others; markings made on cartridge cases
and bullets, bite marks, tool marks, fabric impressions, show prints, tyre prints and in many cases; fingerprints.

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FOOTWEAR AND TRYE IMPRINTS
• Study of marks or imperfections in the soles of footwear and tyres for the purpose of comparisons and
identifying similarities between similar footwear and tyre imprint.
• Tyre imprints in most instances overlooked by the investigator at scene of incident. They may not be aware
of the value of this evidence. If it is not immediately recognised and protected it can be easily destroyed.
IDENTIFYING FOOTWEAR PRINTS
• Comparing the impressions found at the scene to the known footwear of the suspect.
• Examiner should examine:
1. class characterristics: not unique but typical to that range of foot wear (design and pattern of the
sole of footwear, physical size and shape)
2. individual characteristics: unique and individual

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SHOE PRINTS: Investigators can analyse a shoe print to determine its class or the type and brand of shoe, they also look at
wear patterns and specific damages.

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TIRE TRACKS: These found in road accident scenes or in the access and escape routes of other crime scenes to help
investigators in identifying the type of vehicle that left them. Investigators may make ink prints of a tire or track. They
will also take photographs later be used to prove a match.

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PARAGRAPH 5.2 OF PAGE 123 - DISPUTED DOCUMENTS (REFER TO THEME 1)
This refers to detailed scientific examination of physical features in a document in offences such as fraud and forgery or
where a person needs to be included or excluded as the original author of handwriting
A document is anything bearing marks, signs or symbols that carry meaning or convey a message to recipients.
May include writing on a wall or even sand.
REFER TO PAGE 124 OF YOUR TEXTBOOK, WHICH CONFIRMS THAT THE DOCUMENT EXAMINER
SHOULD ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE THE FOLLOWING (LISTED):
Determine who is the author of the handwriting
Establish validity of the handwriting
Using Video Spectral Comparator (VSC)- observes and decipher any alteration, erasures, deletions, additions and
subtractions in the document.
PARAGRAPH 5.2.2 OF PAGE 124 - CONCEALMENT OF HANDWRITING CHARACTERISTICS OR
DISGUISED WRITING:
Methods of forging documents.
The longer the document that is being written, the more difficult it becomes for the person to conceal their own hand writing.

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PARAGRAPH 5.2.3 VARIATION OF WRITING (PAGE 124-125)
Focused on two categories of handwriting as follows - CLASS and INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS.
Page 128 of your textbook - FORENSIC HANDWRITING: The disputed document is compared with the known
reference sample / evidence.
The lack of any natural variation in handwriting is often the single most telling sign that the handwriting in question has
been forged.
Video Spectral Comparator (VSC) is an important instrument to make visible hidden features in the comparison of printed
documents.

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PARAGRAPH 5.5.2 OF PAGE 133 TYPES OF FINGERPRINTS IMPRESSIONS
• Plastic fingerprint: require no enhancement to be viewed. Those prints are impressed into some substance
such as wax or soap.
• Visible fingerprints: Have been coated with some colour substance such as blood, grease, paint, dust or ink.
• Latent fingerprint: Not visible to the naked eye and need some form of development process to be visible.
Usually developed with chemical reagent and powders.
FINGERPRINTS
• Impressions of friction ridges of skin found on the inside and tips of the fingers and thumb of the hand.
• Impressions consists of ridges and valleys.

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3. Whorl patterns
2. loop patterns

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REFER TO PARAGRAPH 5.6.5 OF PAGE 146 VALUE OF IMPRINT EVIDENCE
PARAGRAPH 5.7 OF PAGE 147 TOOL MARKS
Refers to the impression marks created during the commission of an incident when an instrument or object comes into contact with another
object.
REFER TO PARAGRAPH 5.7.3 OF PAGE 148 VALUE OF TOOL MARKS IN FORENSIC INVESTIGATION
REFER TO PARAGRAPH 5.8 OF PAGE 149 (FIREARMS)
PARAGRAPH 5.9 OF PAGE 155 - CHAPTER SUMMARY