Forensic Science Fundamentals and Investigations

Tools have unique characteristics due to manufacturing processes and use over time.

An important feature of tools used in identification are serial numbers.A serial number is a unique number assigned to an object for:

Crime scene tool marks and suspect tools are never fitted together to show a match.This would damage the integrity of the evidence.

When tools are found, they are collected and packaged together in containers or boxes and then taken to a laboratory for analysis.

Any impression, scratch, or abrasion made when contact occurs between an object, such as a tool, and another object is:

Research projects at the Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory in Iowa State University include building a tool mark image database and developing an algorithm to statistically analyze the images.

The type of saw blade used to dismember a body can be determined by examining the cut surface of the flesh.

In his book entitled Dead Men Do Tell Tales, Dr.William Maples describes a collection of bones belonging to the C.A.Pound Human Identification Lab in Florida.These bones were the bones of:

Abrasion marks are made by objects, which include:

There is more than one category of tool marks.Tool mark categories include:

While photographing and recording tool mark evidence, the expert searches the surface of the tool mark for bits of foreign material using:

A tool mark is any impression, scratch, or abrasion made when contact occurs between a tool and an object.

The best way to document tool and tool mark evidence is to use:

If it is possible, tool mark evidence should be collected and preserved for analysis.If this is not possible, _____________________________ is a commonly used method of preserving impressions of tool marks.

Types of casting materials include:

The goal of laboratory tool mark analysis is to identify major characteristics that define the type of __________________________ used in a crime.

Abrasion marks are made when surfaces slide across one another.

All evidence must be correctly labeled and processed.Important information that must be recorded includes:

Cutting marks are marks produced along the edge as a surface is cut.

A mark or impression made by a tool when it is pressed against a softer surface is: