Forensic Physics

Module 1 - GLASS
What is Glass?
Glass is a non-crystaline,transparent and amorphus solid. It
consists of widespread of practical, technological and for decorative
use.
→ Glass is formed by the rapid cooling of molten form.
→ The varities of glass differ widely in chemical composition and in
physical qualities.
→ They pass through a viscous stage in cooling from a state of
fluidity, they develop effects of colour when the glass mixtures are
fused with the oxides.
History
→ Historically the oldest type of glasses are sillicate glass
(silicate
chemical compound).
→ Original glass is manufactured by composition of silica,
bleaching powder and oxides of alakaline metals.
→ In 3200 BCE the first glass was manufactured in Mesopotomia.
→ Later writiers claimed that egypt is producing copies of glass.
→ Later china started producing the glass copies.
→ In 1730 BCE India started to manufacture and producing the
glasses.
Manufacture of the glass
This process includes

1)working tank

2)tin bath

3) Annealing lehr
Working tank
The raw materials are fed into the furnace where its is
melted at a temperature of around 1500°C
The raw materials includes silica sand (SiO2), sodium
oxide (Na2O) from soda ash, calcium oxide (CaO) from
limestone/dolomite, dolomite (MgO), and feldspar (Al2O3)
These ingredients are mixed in the right proportion, and
the entire batch is flown into a furnace. Then the thick
semi solid fluid is obtained this is called as the molten
glass
Tin bath
The molten glass is then transported to the Tin bath

through a canal.

The glass floats on the tin surface like a ribbon .

As the glass flows through the Tin bath its temperature

drops from 1100°C till 600°

Annealing lehr
Once the glass passes out of the Tin bath it passes into
the Annealing Lehr where it is subjected to cooling so that
glass becomes resistant to strain, doesn't crack and most
importantly cut ability of the glass will be good
Once the glass is properly annealed it exits the Lehr and
then the glass is cut by machines and transported. The
regions within the float glass manufacturing process where
temperature measurement is crucial are Working tank,
Canal, Tin bath and Annealing lehr.
Diagram
Types of glasses :-
Water glass
-compound of sodium silicate Na2sio3
-manufactured by heating sodium carbonate and silica
-It is soluble in water
Photochromatic glass
-special type of glass which turns black in sharp shining light such
glasses are used as light protector and eyes reliever and thereby
utilised in making eye lenses and googles
-The main reason of being black of such glasses is the presence of
silver iodide
Pyrex glass

-it is also called as borosilicate glass

-it has some specific characteristics of chemical durability and more

thermal inmalleable resistance power

Lead crystal glass

-It is manufactured by mixing silica with cerium oxide

-This is a special type of glass which is used in maaking various

ornamental items by the appropriate decorative cutting and

designing

-In fact on cutting such glasses the optical phenomenon of total

internal reflection takes place very sharply and thus a pleasureous

dazzling light is produced

Soda glass

-It is produced by combining silica ,calcium carbonate,and sodium

carbonate

-It is also called soft glass which is brittle and the cheapest and most
commonly existing glasses

-This can be broken very conviniently and by the alteration of

temperature some cracks appear in such glasses

Xena glass

-It is created by combining zinc znd barium borosilicate

-It is the best form of glass and from it chemical containers and
equipments for the scientific purposes are produced

-This glass is basically composed from zinc and barium borosilicate

which produces the soft and good quality of glass

Flint glass

-It is produced by combining sodium, lead silicate and pottasium Which

are used in making idol objects of cultural impotance ,costly glass
equipments or devices

-such glasses are also used in making electric bulbs,lenses of

telescopes,microscopes,camera and prisms

Crown glass

-It is produced by combining silica , pottasium oxide and barium oxide

-used in making lenses of eye glasses

Crookes glass

-Cerium oxide cio2 hen mixed with silica,crook glass is produced

-sharply absorb the ultraviolet rays from the sunlight. So utilised in

making lenses of eye glasses
Quartz glass

-This is also called silica glass because it is obtained by melting

silica and ultraviolet rays emerge out through it

-Thus it is used in making bulb of uv lamps making container of

chemical reagents , laboratories equipments

Describe glass fractures formed at the impact. 8 marks

RADIAL FRACTURE: the penetration of ordinary window glass by a

projectile, whether it is

bullet or stone, produce a fracture pattern which radiates

outwards like a spoke of wheel

from the point at which glass was stuck. This radial glass
fracture produced at the opposite

to the one where the force had been applied. This fracture
always appears first on glass
Continued…
CONCENTRIC FRACTURE:

the concentric glass fractures are the secondary fracture and occur
after radial fracture. If the force continues even after the radial
fracture, the tensile stress develops on the side where the force was
applied. This leads to series of concentric circles around the point of
contact known as concentric fracture. This fracture or cracks are
applied on the same side where the force was applied. This fracture
connect with the adjacent radial fracture.
continued…
CONE FRACTURE: this type of crack or fracture is formed when a high
velocity projectile object such as bullet penetrates the glass which
exceeds its elasticity limit. It often leaves a round crater shaped
hole surrounded by radial and concentric fractures. This hole actually
determines the side of impact as it is wider on the exit side. However,
as the velocity of penetrating projectile decreases, the irregularities
of shape of hole, and its surrounding cracks increases so at that point
the hole shape may not determine the direction of impact.

At this point, the radial and concentric fracture determines the

direction of impact.
Continued…
RIB FRACTURE/ STRESS LINE: the edges of broken piece of glass bears a
number of curved lines termed as stress lines. These stress lines are
tangent to the one side of the glass and perpendicular to other side.
They are always perpendicular to the surface at which the crack is
originated. In radial fracture, the rib marks are perpendicular to the
side opposite to which the force has been applied and in concentric
fracture, the ribs marks are perpendicular to the side of the applied
force.

3R rule– Radial cracks forms Right angle on the Reverse side of the
force.
Continued…
Hackle marks: Hackle marks are a definitive indication as to crack
propagation direction. Typically two kinds of hackle marks can been
seen, which are twist hackle, appeared at region where the tensile
stress tilted (twisted) from crack surface , and mist hackle appeared
around origin.

THERMAL FRACTURE: these are irregular wavy shaped fracture formed due to
excessive exposure to heat. If a very hot liquid is poured in cold glass
or very cold liquid pour in hot glass, a thermal shock produced leading
to this type of fractures.
Diagram
Backward Fragmentation from Breaking
When a glass window is broken by a blow, small fragments fly off in a
direction opposite to that of the force which breaks the pane of glass.

Such backward fragmentation from breaking glass sheets can be studied by

photographing with movie and still cameras, and a high speed movie film was
made for forensic analysis of glass fragments.

Whenever a window is broken, it may be expected that numerous fragments

will strike a person standing within a few feet.

Author Kirk in 1953 explained how backward fragmentation is the source of

most of the fragments of broken glass found on the clothing of suspects,
mostly glass fragments occur as physical evidence found In breaking and
entering crimes.
The usual explanation of backward fragmentation is as follows.

1)A fracture always starts from the surface and always in an area
under tension. Hence when glass breaks, it is usually due to tensile
stresses pulling the surface of the glass apart.

If an external force is applied to one side of a sheet of glass, e.g.,

a window, the glass is bent away from the force so that tensile
stresses are set up in the opposite surface of the sheet and
compressive stresses in the surface to which the force is applied.When
the applied force is great enough to exceed the elastic limit of the
glass, the surface under tensile stress ruptures as a star-shaped
series of cracks which spread outwards as radial fractures.
Representation
Continued…
2) At the same time the cracks travel from the surface under tension
to the surface under compression so that the whole compressive force
is exerted along the broken edges in contact. This force causes
flaking at the broken edges of the glass sheet at the compressed
surface and these flakes fly off with considerable velocity.

As this flaking from the radial fractures comes from the side of the
glass to which the force is applied it is the major source of the
glass fragments which are commonly found in the garments of persons
breaking

glass windows, e.g., shop breakers and burglars.

Continued…
Whenever a window is broken it is to be expected that numerous fragments will
strike any person within a few feet of the window. The number of fragments
retained by the clothing of a person breaking a window will depend
1)on the weave of the material,
2)on features such as cuffs or open pockets,
3)on movements of the wearer.
4)on the time elapsing before the garments are secured for laboratory
examination.
As some of the flakes observed maybe inches across and even larger, there is
a possibility of a "jig-saw" puzzle, and hence all the pieces of a broken
window should be gathered. In any investigation where window glass has been
broken it is well worthwhile for the investigator to secure samples of the
broken glass and the clothing of the suspect and submit them for laboratory
examination.
Case Study
Background
W .J Cadman, of the Orange County Sheriff's Laboratory
(California), and His associates prepared a film of experiments
in which five window-panes of various sizes were broken by means
of a brick on the end of a long wire pendulum using different
velocities. Collection of the glass fragments resulting from

these impacts demonstrated that in each case fragments had flown

in sufficient quantity and a sufficient distance to have reached
the clothing of the "burglar" or perpetrator standing at a normal
distance. Glass fragments were obtained at distances up to 10
feet.
Method
The glass used was 24 oz (680g) window glass and quarter-inch plate glass
dimension 2*3 feet. The "hammer" for breaking the glass was a pendulum of
half-inch steel rod, six feet long bearing a weighted striker on a
horizontal arm about one foot long. The striker was a steel cylinder 6
inches long, 2 inches in diameter, weighing 5 pounds.

Note; In preliminary experiments, the striker was fixed to the horizontal arm
of the pendulum.

But in later experiments, it fitted loosely over the pendulum arm. When the
pendulum was arrested (so that it would not go through the window and
complicate the fracture). The striker left the pendulum arm and moved on
through the window.

To break the window, the pendulum was raised through an angle of 60" from its
position of rest and, when the high-speed camera was operating,
released.Swinging with gravity was adequate to break the 24 oz. window glass.
Continued…
On the side of the equipment opposite the observers, there
was a dead black background and the

floor on the pendulum side was covered with matt-black paper

so that small glass chips could be observed, photographed or
recovered as desired.
Results
One of the observers described the back-ward fragmentation as "a cloud of
glistening dust". The observations noted were as follows:

1. Backward fragmentation was observed in each experiment when the main shower
of small fragments traveled back a distance of at least Three feet from the
window.

2. A slower blow produced a larger hole in the glass than a faster blow and
produced considerably more backward fragmentation which traveled further than
that from a faster impact.

3. A blow striking near a corner of a pane, although fracturing a greater part

of the pane tended to produce less backward fragmentation than a blow striking
near the center.

4. Although most of the backward fragmentation from 24 oz. window glass was
flakes and chips, the fragmentation from quarter-inch plate glass also included
an appreciable number of needle-like slivers.
Physical properties of glass
Glass is a hard, brittle, amorphous substance that is composed of
silicon oxides mixed with

various metal oxides.

• Amorphous solids have their atoms arranged randomly, unlike

crystals.

• Tempered glass is stronger than normal glass due to rapid

heating and cooling.

• Laminated glass found in car windshields has a layer of plastic

between two pieces of ordinary window glass.
Continued…
For the forensic scientist, the problem of glass comparison
is one that depends on the need to find and measure those
properties that will associate one glass fragment with
another while minimizing or eliminating other sources.

• To compare glass fragments, a forensic scientist evaluates

two important physical properties:

density and refractive index.

Methods of Physical measurement of glass ?
The physical examination of glass includes two mainly parameters namely, the
thickness and curvature of glass pieces under examination of glass evidence. The
thickness of glass sheet varies significantly from one place to another place and
do not uniform throughout.

a. EDGE THICKNESS: a micrometer is employed to measure accurately the edge

thickness of the glass fragments. Reading should be taken all around the broken
edge to find out at which point, the crime exhibits match with any portion of the
broken glass.

b. CURVATURE: a spherometer is used to measure the radius of curvature of the

glass fragments having curved surfaces. The radius of curvature of the fragments
is calculated using the formulae.

R= (l2/6h)+(h/2)

Where,

l= the mean distance between the legs of spherometer.

h= height of the curved surface.

Analyzing Cracks
The penetration of window glass by a projectile, whether it is a bullet
or a stone, produces cracks which radiate outward (radial fractures) and
encircle the hole (concentric fractures).

• By analyzing the radial and concentric fracture patterns in glass, the

forensic scientist can determine the direction of impact.

• A high-velocity projectile such as a bullet often leaves a hole that is

wider at the exit side, and hence its examination is important in
determining the direction of impact.

• The direction of impact can also be accomplished by applying the 3R

Rule: Radial cracks form a Right angle on the Reverse side of the force.
● The sequence of impacts when there
have been successive penetrations
of glass is frequently possible to
determine because a fracture
always terminates at an existing
line of fracture.
● Production of radial and
concentric fractures in glass. (a)
Radial cracks are formed first,
commencing on the side of the
glass opposite to the destructive
force. (b) Concentric cracks occur
afterward,starting on the same
side as the force.
How Glass Get Coloured ?
During the preparation of glasses its various components or constituents in the
molten or fused state are sometimes altered (replaced) or more appropriately
some extraneous substances like metallic oxides are added, then glasses become
coloured. Also various accessible substances produce different colours in the
glasses. For example; On accessing ferric oxide in ordinary fused glass a brown
coloured glass produces. Similarly the substances like chromic oxide, manganese
dioxide, cobalt oxide etc. on mixing (accessing) in fused glass, green, red and
blue coloured glasses are produced. Generally for the fascinating coloured
glasses small quantity of metallic compounds are accessed in the molten or fused
state with their constituent’s component. Substance used for colouring the glass
Colour of glasses. So, metalic oxides are used in colouration of glasses,instant
of normal Pigment. Because in that high temperature(700°c) normal pigments are
distorted or damaged.
For example,
. Cobalt Oxide-Deep Blue

. Sodium Chromate or Ferrous Oxide-Green

. Selenium Oxide-Orange red

. Ferric Salt or Sodium Uranet-Fluorescent Yellow

. Gold Chloride or Purple of Cassias-Ruby red

. Cuprous Oxide, Cadmium Sulphide-Glitter red

. Cupric salt-Peacock Blue

. Potassium dichromate-Green and green yellow

. Manganese dioxide-Blue to light orange

. Cuprous salt-Red

. Cadmium sulphide-Yellow like lemon

. Carbon-Brownish black.
Fluorescence of glass
Fluorescence is the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light or
other electromagnetic radiation. It is a form of luminescence. In most cases, the
emitted light has a longer wavelength, and therefore a lower photon energy, than
the absorbed radiation.

Glass surface was in contact with the tin bath during the manufacturing procedure
will show fluorescence when exposed to short wavelength of ~254 nm ultraviolet
ray.

Fluorescence examination can also be conducted using fluorescence spectroscopy on

specimens as small as 0.05nm^2.

Fluorescence on a glass can also be detected only if the surface is preserved ,

collected and analysed.

X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy is qualitative analysis and semi quantitative

elemental analysis method for Si, O, Ca, Al and Na and sometimes Sr, K, Fe, and
Sn.
FLUORESCENCE UNDER UV RADIATION
Some types of glass fluorescence under ultraviolet radiation with different
colors such as brown, violet, purple, blue or green etc. it is considered to
be one of the rapid, non-destructive and reliable method for examination of
glass. This examination of glass has to be conducted in a dark room and the
glass pieces to be exposed to UV radiation should be of similar size and
thickness and they are to be thoroughly washed with acetone or any other
solvent to remove grease or dirt.

When there is a clear difference in fluorescence of the two glasses, it

indicates different sources of their origin. On the other hand, the similarity
in fluorescence by itself cannot be proof of similar source and further tests
are to be conducted to arrive at the possible commonness of origin.
PHYSICAL MATCHING OF FRAGMENTS
The most conclusive evidence of
the source of a piece of broken
glass is an exact fit with a
broken edge of the original
glass. It is done in much the
same way in which a jigsaw
puzzle is put together. The
sizes of fragments, their
shapes, and therefore the
fractured edges are moved around
until the edges of the given
pieces are found to correspond.
How glass fragments are analysed using Density method??

The physical properties of density are used most successfully for characterizing glass
particles. The density of an unknown sample of glass is determined by placing a glass
sample into suspension in a liquid solution. The density of that liquid is then either
measured directly or used comparatively with another sample of glass. Glass from various
sources such as windowpane, automobile headlights, bottles and plate glass doors, all
have slightly different densities. The density of various glass and related materials are
given below:

• Window glass, flat – 2.47 to 2.56

• Head light glass—2.47 to 2.63

• Mica — 2.6 to 3.2

• Flint, glass— 2.9 to 5.9.

It is of two types :

1.Density comparison by floatation method.

2.Density comparison by floatation method.

State the density method types and explain in brief.

The characterizing properties of glass depend not only on the

constituent elements, but also on the manner in which the
glass has been treated during manufacture. If the density and
refractive index values are not comparable, this certainly
excludes the possibility that the glass fragments originated
from the same source.

Continued in coming slides

1.Density comparison by floatation method.
1. The crime and control glass piece samples are crushed to comparable sizes with similar
shapes which is one of the most important steps in examination of glass density. Each
piece of glass is sketched and marked.
2. A clean and dry sample of crime glass particle is placed in a small beaker containing
bromoform (heavier liquid). The glass will float on the liquid surface indicating that
density of the liquid is greater than that of the glass.
3. Slowly add the less dense liquid, bromobenzene, drop wise with stirring, until the
particle is exactly suspended. One should be careful while adding the mixture that it
should be stirred with each addition so that air bubbles, of any are removed.
4. Added similar size, clean and dry sample of control glass. If both the crime and
control glass particles are suspended in the liquid, then the density of both the
glass particle is same to that of the liquid mixture. Particles with different
densities will either sink or float depending upon whether they are denser or less
dense than the liquid medium.
5. The densities o the particle of the glass can be determined by calculating
density/specific gravity by floatation mixture using specific gravity bottle or a
pycnometer.
2. DENSITY BY DENSITY GRADIENT TUBE
In this method, vertical glass tube about 5mm in internal diameter and
10-18 inches long is sealed at one end and filled with successive layers
of liquid in decreasing density.

Gradient is such that the density at any level is less than that of any
lower level within the tube and greater than that of any level higher
within the tube.

The standard gradient tube is made up of layers of two liquids mixed in

varying proportions, so that each layer has a different density.

When completed a density gradient tube usually has 6-8 layers.

Place seven test tubes in a test tube rack.

Prepare the mixtures of bromobenzene and bromoform in the following
ratios, by pipetting out the respective liquids into the test tubes:

Pure bromoform – 6ml 8. 1ml of bromobenzene and 5 ml of bromoform

2ml of bromobenzene and 4 ml of bromoform

3 ml of bromobenzene and 3 ml of bromoform

4 ml of bromobenzene and 2 ml of bromoform

5 ml of bromobenzene and 1 ml of bromoform

6 ml of bromobenzene

The glass fragments should be carefully and gently placed in the tube
and allowed to settle down. These fragments will settle down in the
portions having the same density.

Thus, the density of the liquid and hence of the fragments can be
determined
REFRACTIVE INDEX
Every material has its own refractive index. The refractive index
measurement can give an indication of the composition and thermal history
of the glass.

Refractive index is a dimensionless quantity which is characteristic of an

optical medium and is defined as the ratio of the velocity of light in a
vacuum to the velocity of light in the medium.

n=c/v

where, n- refractive index of the medium

c- Velocity of light in vacuum

v- velocity of light in a medium

A refractometer
A Refractometer is the
instrument used to measure
refractive index (RI). A
refractometer measures the
extent to which light is bent
when it moves from air into a
sample and is typically used to
determine the refractive index
of a liquid sample.
Types of Refractometers
There are four main types of refractometers,
● traditional handheld refractometers,
● digital handheld refractometers,
● laboratory or Abbe refractometer and
● incline process refractometers.
Traditional Handheld Refractometer
A traditional handheld refractometer is an analog instrument for measuring
a liquid’s refractive index. Handhelds are compact and easy to use, the
handheld refractometers are ideal for laboratory or production environment
measurements. Simply immerse Handheld Refractometer the sensor in the
sample or drop the sample on top of the sensor prism. These units are best
used for calculating the Brix value of fruit juices, soft drinks, sauces,
soups, water-soluble cutting oils, washing liquids, industrial liquids, and
coolants. Thus, many of these handheld refractometers are rated for water
resistance that enhances durability and simplifies cleanup procedures.

A Traditional Handheld Refractometer does not require batteries or a power

source. This allows the handheld refractometer to be used anywhere, at
least in daylight.
Digital Refractometer Refractometry - Digital Refractometer

A digital refractometer can offer more than double the resolution

of a traditional style refractometer producing a far more accurate
reading. A digital refractometer has automatic temperature
compensation based on sugar and calculates the current temperature
into the final result. A digital refractometer not only offers a
wider scale but also a much better resolution.

Ultimate accuracy is limited by the sugar temperature compensation

but so long as the sample is primarily sugar and the sample is
fairly close to room temperature then these types of refractometers
will give a good result.
Laboratory / Abbe Refractometer
Abbe Refractometer are highly reliable classic instruments
which measure Refractive Index. Compared with other types of
refractometers, the Abbe refractometer are capable of
measuring liquid and solid samples such as plate glasses,
plastic sheets, and other solid films. They have sapphire
prisms and sealed optics. A computer interface is usually a
standard feature for printing and data download. Productivity
features include flow through modules and temperature
stabilization accessories. Therefore, this style of instrument
can give good accuracy on most sample types, not just sugar.
Inline Process Refractometer
Inline Process Refractometers are designed for inserting
into pipelines or vessels. Inline Refractometers monitor a
process variable (typically dissolved solids) which is
refractive index dependent. The refractometer produces a
digital and analog output ready for transmission to a PLC
(Programmable logic controller) or other controller.
a. REFRACTIVE INDEX BY IMMERSION METHOD

When a transparent object such as glass is immersed in a liquid of same refractive index, it
will be invisible because of optical homogeneity of the system. A simple procedure for
examination of glass refractive is as follow:

Place the glass fragment in a small beaker, after cleaning and drying.

Select suitable liquids from the following:

Di-n-butyl carbonate- 1.411

Tri-n butyl citrate – 1.45

Alpha- bromonaphalene – 1.658

Methylene iodide – 1.742

3.Add liquid of lower index than glass in a sufficient quantity to cover the glass piece.

4.Now, add in small amounts, the liquid of higher refractive index, until the glass becomes
invisible.

5.Remove the sample of the liquid and determine its index of refraction using an abbe
refractometer.
b. REFRACTIVE INDEX USING BECKELINE METHOD

The image of a transparent object observed through a microscope is made

by refraction and reflection. Thanks to this behavior of a liquid, a
dark border line is observed at the borders of the object. Many objects
are surrounded by a narrow band of illumination, when immersed during a
liquid. This band is named “becke line”. Thus, beckeline is a contrast,
which outlines the transparent irregular particles, immersed in a liquid
of different refractive index. This halo disappears when the liquid
medium and glass have the same refractive index.
Thus, when glass particles are immersed in a liquid medium, the becke
lines are appear due to the difference in the refractive indices of the
glass and liquid. When the indices are equal, the becke line will
disappear and this point is known as match point.
Beckeline not only indicates a difference between the indices of the
glass and liquid, but also indicates which posses higher value.
c. REFRACTIVE INDEX USING HOT STAGE MICROSCOPE

The refractive index of glass can be determined by varying the temperature

of immersion fluid using a special apparatus known as “hot stage”.

The glass particle to be examined is mounted in silicone oil on the

microscopic slide on the hot stage.

The stage is illuminated with a monochromatic source and the glass fragment
is brought into focus and edge is selected.

The hot stage provides a stable heating and cooling. The rate of change of
RI of glass with respect to temperature is app. 0.00001 per degree Celsius.

As the temperature of the hot stage is varied, constant observation is made

to see the point, where the edge contrast is at minimum and this
temperature is known as “match temperature”. It is the temperature at which
glass and oil will have the same refractive index.
ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS OF GLASS
In examination of glass the analysis of elements present in the
glass fragment can help in determining the chemical composition of
the glass fragment and can help to identify the source of the
fragment. Element composition may be used to differentiate among
glass made by different manufacturer or glasses from different
product of the same manufacturer. A number of efforts have been
made in examination of glass include various analytical techniques
such as emission spectrography, neutron activation analysis (NAA),
mass spectrography, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
(ICP/MS), scanning electron microscope, x-ray diffraction, x-ray
fluorescence, Raman and infra-red spectroscopy.
Continued…
The trace and minor elements present in glass samples
namely, Aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), strontium (Sr), titanium
(Ti), arsenic (As), lead (Pb) etc. These elements may be
deliberately added in small amounts or may be present as
accidental traces in the raw material. This type of
qualitative analysis for the studies of the trace elements
leads to a definite conclusion in examination of glass.
Where do we find glass as an evidence ?
Glass or glass fragment play a major role as an evidence in case of
arson, hit and run, burglary,assault,shooting etc. Glass that has broken
or fragmented at a crime scene is crucial forensic evidence.At hit and
run crime scene glass fragment from headlight might leave evidence about
unknown car. Window piece or glass fracture can also assist investigators
to determine the direction, angle and first impact of gun shot,These
hints can be discovered by examining even the tiniest glass particles. If
glass piece are found on cloth piece of alleged burglary case in a case
involving entrance through a broken window,this might be an important
evidence.The source of origin can also be determined.If the density of
two glass samples are unequal,then the glass samples come from different
source.
How to collect and package glass evidence?
General Packaging Considerations:

Place samples into appropriately sized containers e.g, do not put very small items
into very large envelopes. Containers may be vials (glass vials should not be used
for glass Evidence), metal or cardboard pillboxes, or paper bindles placed into
envelopes. Plastic Should not be used for the packaging of small/loose trace evidence
due to static electricity. Do not pack with cotton or other protective material
directly touching the object. All edges/corners of envelopes should be sealed to
prevent sample loss.Do not package wet evidence. Clothing or objects containing glass
evidence should be air dried prior to packaging. Items may be wrapped in paper and
then placed into an appropriate container. Do not wrap items on a table top without
first thoroughly cleaning that surface. Avoid cross contamination between evidence
and reference samples.If evidence is collected by tape lifting, use only low tack/low
adhesive tapes. Package tape lifts in clear page protector sheets, plastic or Kapak
bags. Do not allow tape to adhere to itself or adhere to other packaging materials
such as brown paper bags or cardboard. Do not use fingerprint lift tape.
Fragments of Microscopic Fragments Size:

These fragments are not visible to the naked eye. They are usually found on
articles of Clothing, including shoes, but may be on other objects such as
tools or bullets. Handle These items minimally and wrap in paper if possible.

Large Visible Fragments:

These fragments have the possibility of a physical fit in addition to

comparison of Composition. Therefore, collect all the fragments present to
permit reconstruction. Determination of the nature (e.g. heat) or direction
of the breaking force: Collect all fragments. Depending upon the amount and
size of the glass, place it in a Sealed paper bindle or a folded and sealed
paper or plastic bag. If glass is submitted for The purpose of determining
the direction of impact of a bullet or other fracture analysis, Record which
side of the glass was the outside of the window, and which side was Inside.
If the collected glass is broken out of the window, remove a piece left in
the Window and record which side was the outside and which was the inside.
Package this reference piece separately.
Comparison Samples:

A large, representative sample of the source of broken glass

must always be submitted for a comparison of composition. If the
broken glass is from a vehicle with multiple broken windows, a
representative sample from each broken window must be collected.
If the broken glass is from a bottle or other container, the
reference sample should include, if possible, samples from the
neck, center, and base Label the container with the agency case
number, item number, and brief description as appropriate. Tape
seal the container; date and initial the seal. Submit evidence
to the laboratory along with a completed Physical Evidence
Submission Form (BFS-1) and, if available, a case report or case
summary.
 Glass As
Evidence -
Case Study
CASE DETAILS
A suburban housewife is found brutally murdered in her living room. The
husband comes home and finds her at 540 in the afternoon. The coroner
established time of death at about 10:00 am that morning. The husband has
a rock solid alibi. He was on local TV station doing a live broadcast
thousands of people saw him. There is no evidence that the wife or husband
were having any type of extra-marital affair that might led to a jealous
lover attacking her, There was no sign of a robbery, and the husband says
that nothing is missing from the house. No sign of a struggle is seen
other than the broken blue flower vase that is about three feet from the
body. The woman appears to have been hit with the vase at least twice,
resulting in a large hematoma in the brain. This has been ruled the cause
of death. The victims blood and hair are found on the vase.
Trace Evidence
The crime scene forensic team has combed the area for evidence with little
outcome. They have collected, packaged and removed the broken flower vase,
as well as the broken glass fragments from it, and processed them as
evidence. The glass fragments are all quite small and scattered around the
area where the victim was found. Many fragments were found in her hair and
on her clothes. The vase was a fine crystal and the force of the killers
blows shattered it into many pieces. The few larger fragments were checked
for latent prints by fuming with cyanoacrylate, but no usable partial
prints could be recovered. The investigators working the neighborhood have
come up pretty much dry in terms of any leads as to what happened or who
the perpetrator might be. Except for one thing--one neighbor on her way to
the market around 900 am noticed a car parked at the corner nears the
victims house. She said there was a man in the car and he appeared to
writing something on a pad.
Back at the forensic laboratory
The trace technicians set about to determine the properties of the
glass from the corner scene. A variety of analytical techniques
were applied to the samples to identify any chemicals present that
might have been added as stabilizers and fluxes. Analysis
indicated that the glass was a borosilicate glass similar to that
often used in car sealed-beam headlights. Sample density and
refractive index RI measurement were also consistent with this
view. Sample material subjected to inductively-coupled plasma mass
spectroscopy ICP-MS analysis and tests for chemical coatings on
the glass surface yielded a specific profile for the glass.
Back at the trace lab again
A close friend of the victim indicated to investigators that the
victim

had told her she had received some unwanted calls from an old college

boyfriend lately. With his name in hand, investigators determined that

he had several cars, including a 1984 Ford Mustang SVO. Looking at

the car in the parking lot where the suspect worked led investigators
to believe that the right headlamp had recently been replaced. Back at
the trace lab again
TRIAL
At trial, the two pieces of glass trace evidence were
critical parts of the prosecution's case. The members of the
jury viewed these as strong circumstantial evidence.