On white or light-colored clothing, the dark-gray to black residue may be visible without

enhancement. The pattern may require enhancement techniques on darker or colored

clothing. Infrared imaging may be useful for residue obscured by blood. Other types of
imaging have been used on dark-colored clothing to successfully visualize GSR patterns
and powder burn patterns (Atwater et al., 2006).
Searching the clothing of the potential shooter for gunshot residue or gunpowder
particles can complement examination of swabs from the person’s hands. Gunshot residue
on the hands is more valuable as evidence of a recent shooting, but if the person is
apprehended
in the short time after any gunshot residue would have been lost, the clothing,
especially sleeve cuffs and lower sleeves, may provide information. However, no studies
have been reported on the persistence of GSR on clothing; thus, establishing the time of
deposition can be problematic.
The finding of a small number of GSR particles on hands or clothing cannot be related
to a specific incident, nor does it mean that a person was in close proximity to a gun in the
last several hours. Small amounts of GSR are present in police vehicles, on police personnel,
and in forensics laboratories, and contamination and transfer are known to be major issues.
Because gunpowder particles and gunpowder residue on a suspect can be readily transferred
from surfaces such as the seats of police vehicles, and because a person standing near a
shooter
may exhibit gunshot residue on his or her hands and person, such results must be used with
caution and an awareness of indirect transfer. The pattern of the GSR may be the valuable
evidence, rather than the presence of a small number of gunshot residue particles.
5.3 Direct Contact Impressions: Imprints and Indentations
Impression marks result when a patterned object contacts a receiving surface and leaves a
negative impression. Fingers of the hand, footwear or feet, weapons, and tires may all leave
impressions on clothing and become evidence in a criminal case. Such patterns can aid in
reconstruction of events.
Impressions should be documented by photographs before collection. The photographs
should show the location of the impression on the clothing as well as the impression itself,
with a scale. The plane of the film should be parallel to the plane of the impression, to
avoid distortion.
Traditionally, an imprint is produced when an object comes into contact with a hard surface
and leaves a two-dimensional representation of itself on a floor or concrete surface in dust,
blood, or other medium. An indentation is produced by an object being impressed into a soft
receiving surface, such as sand, snow, or mud, creating a three-dimensional mark. Generally,
imprints are found on clothing, although the generally pliable fabric composing clothing is
not
the traditional hard receiving surface of walls or floors. Indentations are less frequently found
on clothing because of the difficulty of producing a three-dimensional mark.
Some imprint and indentation evidence may require enhancement to be visualized,
and may often be overlooked. It is important to consider the possibility of these types of
patterns on clothing. Prints in blood are a special category and are discussed under blood
pattern analysis as transfer bloodstain patterns.
Impressions may show class characteristics, wear characteristics, and individualizing
characteristics; the latter are rarely discernable on fabric unless the surface is leather, a
plastic applique, a silk-screened logo, or a nametag.