Module 3 Tools in Homicide Investigation SCI 1 with

Legal Medicine

Module
Introduction:
3 Tools in Homicide
Investigation

This module is The Tools in Homicide Investigation. As you read

this material, you will be able to know the Scientific Crime Investigation.
Likewise, you will know more about the Proper handling of Evidence using
tools in homicide investigation. After the content discussion, you are given
exercises to work on. Towards the end of this module, you are tasked to
give your own reflections. All these activities will deepen and strengthen
your understanding about the lesson presented. Do the task honestly
coupled with high interest so that you can benefit the most of it.
Medical Jurisprudence, also called forensics, the application of
science to law. Forensic science uses highly developed technologies to
uncover scientific evidence in a variety of fields. Modern forensic science
has a wide range of applications. It is used in cases such as forgeries, fraud,
or negligence. It can assist law-enforcement officials resolve whether any
laws or regulations have been violated in the marketing of foods and drinks,
the manufacture of medicines, or the use of pesticides on crops. It can also
determine whether automobile emissions are within a permissible level and
whether drinking water meets legal purity requirements. Forensic science is
most commonly used to investigate criminal cases involving a victim, such
as assault, robbery, kidnapping, rape, or murder.

The scientific examination of physical evidence is widely accepted

Learning as a critical element in the effort of law enforcement agencies to conduct
 Can analyze the criminalistics
Outcomes and forensic science for the successful criminal investigations and prosecutions. The forensic Science
field is an ever changing discipline holds the key for solving special crimes.
investigation in specific crime
to serve as substantial
Scientific Crime Investigation
evidence In contemporary times, science has provided substantial aid to crime
detection. Because anything in the physical universe has the potential of
becoming an article of evidence in an investigation, a wide variety of
procedures may be used in analyzing and interpreting evidence in a criminal
case. These measures include examining firearms, serological and
toxicological tests, examining hairs and fibers, mineralogical and
1. Discuss the proper Custodial of metallurgical tests, and document examination.
evidence and secure it for the
investigations. Learning
Firearms Examinations
2. Explain the significance of Scientific Objective
Firearms are identified through microscopic imperfections that are produced
crime investigation unintentionally in gun barrels during manufacture. Subsequent use and wear
3. Enumerate and discuss the Things can
contribute further to a weapon's individuality. A bullet fired from a rifle,
be able to test that can help in LET’S
pistol or revolver, therefore, has impressed on its surface the individual
investigation DISCOVER
 Module 3 Tools in Homicide Investigation
Legal Medicine
characteristics of the barrel through which it was fired. Other parts of the
firearms also possess individual characteristics. The firing pin, breech face,
extractor, and ejector come in contact with the cartridge case; hence,
cartridge cases may be scarred with unique markings that can be identified
with a particular gun.
The material products of gunpowder combustion are expelled from the
muzzle of a gun in the form of a cone. If the distance between the gun and
the object through which the bullet passes is within specified limits, a
microscopic or chemical examination of the area surrounding the bullet hole
may determine the distance from which the gun was fired at the victim.
Serological Investigations
Serology in its extensive sense is the study body fluids in relation
to sickness and its treatment. “Crime detection, serological procedures are
applied ascertaining its human or animal origin and its blood group
classification. Suspects in violent crime frequently claim that bloodstains on
their clothing, weapons, or automobiles have no connection to crime.
Serological tests on dried bloodstains can establish whether the blood in
question could have come from the suspect or the victim.
Toxicology
Toxicology may be defined as the science of poisons. Special
techniques of analytical chemistry have been developed for use in
toxicological have examinations. The difficulty of separating poisons from
other materials and of identifying them recurs constantly in a crime
laboratory. The specimens normally examined in cases of suspected
poisoning are tissue samples from vital organs, blood or urine, food, drink,
and the suspected poison itself.
Hairs and Fibers
SCI 1 with
A piece of hair or a few strands of fiber, when compared with
known specimens, may prove helpful in solving a case. For example, a fiber
discovered on a cut screen at the. Scene of a burglary may be associated
with a suspect's jacket, or a hair found on a suspected car in a hit-and-run
case may help prove that the car struck the victim. An examination of hair
may disclose whether it is of human or animal origin. If of human a origin,
it can be compared with hairs from a specific person's head or body.
Mineralogical Investigations
The science of mineralogy is also utilized in crime detection. The
mineralogist examines soil, plaster, cement, brick, concrete, and glass for
any evidence. Mineral examinations have shown that differences may be
detected in soil composition. Soil and dust found on a suspect's clothing and
determined to be similar to that at the crime scene help to prove the person's
presence in that locality.
Metallurgical Investigations
Metallurgical examinations make it possible to identify the source of an
item-whether made of metal, plastic, ceramic, or other material--found at a
crime scene, and further, to resolve if two similar items were fractured from
each .other, the nature of the force causing the fracture, the direction from
which the force came, and the time when the fragments became separated.
Metallurgical examinations can also determine how a metal item was
manufactured, and whether items found in different places were made at the
same time and by the same manufacturer. Such identification aids to trace
the evidence to its owner. The metallurgist can also restore altered or
obliterated numbers on objects of any material.
Document Examination
Document examination consists mainly of comparing questioned
handwriting with known handwriting to determine the writer's identity; it
also includes the examination of hand printing, forgeries, typewriting, inks,
paper, indented and eradicated writing, rubber-stamp impressions, charred
 Module 3 Tools in Homicide Investigation SCI 1 with
Legal Medicine
paper, and related items. No two. People write precisely alike; the writing Rubber spatula
process is so intricate that personal peculiarities always persist in the Reinforcement mesh
handwriting of any given individual. Detailed scrutiny reveals these hidden Plastic bags
characteristics, which can then form the basis for an expert's opinion. An Metal retaining ring
innovative method of detection, called DNA fingerprinting, was introduced Plastic weigh boats
in the 1980s. Because all living cells contain the genetic material DNA, Wooden tongue depressors
using chemical analysis investigators can conclude if blood or other body Modeling clay
fluids found at a crime scene match a genetic profile. Since DNA tests have Identification tags with string
been in use for a relatively short time, their validity in proving conclusively Snow wax (for impressions in ice)
a suspect's guilt has been questioned in many courts. Similar to tests to
determine blood type, however, DNA analysis can be used to exclude the Photographic Equipment:
possibility of a person's involvement in a crime. Cameras: 35mm with adjustable controls, 2 4 with adjustable
controls or large format and extra batteries for cameras.
Basic Equipment in Homicide investigation: Lens: Normal, Wide angle of 28mm, macro capable of 1:1 ratio
Film and telephoto lens.
Plaster Film: Color, Black and white with adequate supply for both
Sketching equipment formats.
Fingerprint kit Flash: Compatible strobes for cameras, batteries and
Evidence containers PC cord 6 to 10 feet.
Tripod: Adjustable heads and legs.
Fingerprint kit: Measuring devices: Disposable ruler
Brushes: Fiberglass (3). Camel hair (2) Magnetic wand Filters: 80b filter, orange filter and polarizing.
and wide magnetic wand. Miscellaneous: Lens brush and lens tissue, photo flood light,
Powders: Black, silver and redwop lift. camera carrying cases and shutter release cable.
Tape: 2" wide, 4" wide and rubber tape. Evidence Packaging Supplies:
Magnifying glass Paper bags of assorted sizes and pharmacy folds
Lift card: Black, white regular size and 8' by 12" for both colors. Metal cans for debris
Casting Equipment: Glass vials
Plaster of Paris (2 Kilos) Evidence tape
Dental Powder Marking pen
Silicon casting material Stapler
Dupli-cast Pill boxes (folding)
Mikrosil rubber Blood Collection Supplies:
Mixing bowl (2 sizes) Sterilized cloth squares
 Module 3 Tools in Homicide Investigation SCI 1 with
Legal Medicine
Sterilized thread Automobile door handle remover
Glass microscope plates Measuring devices: 100 ft tape, 26 ft. steel tape
Distilled water Pocket knife
Scalpel
Disposable scalpel blades Biohazard Kit:
Tweezers Disposable latex gloves
Small scissors Disposable footwear protectors
Disposable face mask/shield
Deceased Print Kit: Disposable gown/apron
2" roller Biohazard waste bag
4" roller
Black ink Miscellaneous Equipment:
Porelon pad Flashlight and spare batteries
Finger strips Writing paper and report forms
Plain paper Graph paper
Ink remover Clipboard
Tissue builder Writing and marking pens
Metal scribe
Hand Tools: Chalk and crayons
Claw hammer Cellophane tape and dispenser
Hack saw Clear book binding tape
Assorted screw drivers Extra evidence tape
Assorted pliers Extra staples and stapler
Pipe wrench Scissors
Pry bar Scalpels and replacement blades
Vise grips Large and small forceps
Wire cutters Compass
Bolt cutters Large magnet
Socket set metric and standard 100 ft. electrical cord
Wood chisel Metal detector
Hand axe Ultra-violet light: low and high wavelength
Shovels Protective eyewear
Sifters Static lifter
Slim Jim Portable laser or Alternate light source
 Module 3 Tools in Homicide Investigation SCI 1 with
Legal Medicine

1. Discuss the proper Custodial of evidence and secure it for the

investigations.

2. Explain the significance of Scientific crime investigation

Try
These!
 Module 3 Tools in Homicide Investigation SCI 1 with
Legal Medicine

3. Enumerate and discuss the Things can be able to test that can help in
investigation

4.Enumerate the Scientific crime Investigation and Identify the function,

make it in your own words.
 Module 3 Tools in Homicide Investigation SCI 1 with
Legal Medicine

Let’s
apply
1. Explain the special role of criminalistics and forensic science for the
investigation in specific crime to serve as substantial evidence. Reflective Analysis
 Module 3 Tools in Homicide Investigation SCI 1 with
Legal Medicine