Crime Scene Investigator Network Newsletter

October 2009

Welcome to the October 2009 Crime Scene Investigator Network Newsletter

The Application of Infrared Photography in Bloodstain Pattern Documentation of Clothing

Michael Perkins

From the Journal of Forensic Identification
Vol. 55, No. 1, January/February 2005*

Introduction: The observation of bloodstain patterns on clothing can be crucial to an accurate reconstruction of events related to the bloodshed. Chemical enhancement techniques, such as amido black or leucocrystal violet, can be successful, but can alter the appearance of stains and may hinder DNA analysis. The advantage of photographic techniques is their noninvasive effect on appearance and biological integrity. Conventional photographic techniques, such as subtractive or additive color filtration, are successful with lighter colored materials but are ineffective on dark fabrics. Nonconventional photography techniques can be utilized to increase the contrast in the appearance of blood against some types of backgrounds. Infrared photography is one of these techniques and should be considered for specific case situations. To note at the outset, conservative conclusions need to be drawn from bloodstain patterns on fabrics because of their widely varying characteristics regarding liquid absorption and diffusion. The conclusions will, at best, only be limited to directionality and the general nature of the mechanism that caused them.

The Theory of Infrared Photography in Bloodstain Cases
When clothing items that contain apparent bloodstains are of a color that is similar to, or darker than, the color of the deposited blood, the accurate determination of the patterns can be difficult to visualize. Infrared lighting can cause many fabrics to reflect a large percentage of the light. In contrast to this, bloodstains typically absorb most wavelengths of visible light and also the near infrared (700 to 900 nm) wavelengths. This results in the fabric appearing gray or white and the bloodstains dark in color (in black and white infrared photographs). When using photographic lighting containing the near infrared portion of the light spectrum and specialized films sensitized for these regions, the differences in reflected light will be documented, resulting in enhanced stain patterns. This procedure has been specifically mentioned in texts as early as 1961, but has been noticeably absent since then.

Application of the Procedure
In the homicide case presented here, a black sweatshirt that was allegedly worn by the accused had bloodstains on the front that were dark red in color (because of the oxidation of the blood from extended storage). The fabric composition of the sweatshirt was unknown. The victim had been shot in the head, allegedly by the driver, after being pulled headfirst through the driver?s door window. Because of a lack of witness statements, the bloodstain patterns on the front of the sweatshirt were important in placing the victim?s head in close proximity to the sweatshirt when the bloodshed occurred. When the clothing was initially collected from the suspect, it was photographed with 35 mm color negative film (Figure 1). An examination of the photograph revealed the lack of detail in the stains because of the dark sweatshirt color. In the year preceding the trial, and prior to the infrared film being exposed, the clothing was examined by the local police DNA lab. At this time, the partially visible stain was marked with a black Sharpie marker, and a small portion of the fabric was removed for DNA analysis. The sample was taken from a heavier area of the staining and did not affect the additional detail found through this photographic process. The use of a Sharpie pen, as in this case, is recommended for marking areas in infrared photography, because it shows up well with this technique.

< read the complete article and view sample photographs. >

*From the Journal of Forensic Identification Vol. 55, No. 1, January/February 2005.
The Official Publication of the International Association for Identification "Reproduction of the Journal of Forensic Identification, in whole or in part, for noncommercial, educational use is permitted provided proper citation of the source is noted."

In This Issue
New CSI and Forensic Job Announcements

CSI In The News

Resources on the
Crime Scene Investigator Network Website

Learn How to Become a Crime Scene Investigator

New CSI and Forensic Job Announcements

To be notified of job openings as they are posted, follow us on Twitter: <Receive Job Opening Alerts via Twitter>

Supervising Evidence Technician | City of Stockton, CA
Final Filing Date: November 6, 2009
Salary: $4,840.11 - $6,214.64 per month
Under direction, the Supervising Evidence Technician plans, organizes, assigns, supervises and reviews the work of Evidence Technicians in the Stockton Police Department; performs related work as assigned. This is a single position police civilian supervisory class in the evidence technician series responsible for the coordination and supervision of crime evidence collection, evidence processing, and other City/Department activities relating to public education on crime evidence preservation and collection. The incumbent is responsible for recommending policy, developing goals and objectives, providing work assignments and direction, employee training and evaluation, and resolving day-to-day work issues.
<View complete job listing>

Latent Prints Section Supervisor | Virginia Department of Forensic Science, Manassas, VA
Final Filing Date: November 5, 2009
Salary: $82,679 - $105,522 per year
The Virginia Department of Forensic Science, Northern Laboratory, is seeking a qualified applicant to supervise staff in the day-to-day operations of the Latent Prints Section, to include management of the section's backlog of latent print and impression cases, and compliance to accreditation standards, state and agency policies and procedures. In addition, the Section Supervisor will perform a full range of functions to recover and examine latent finger, palm and foot prints for identification purposes. Other duties include: preparing reports of findings for use by the criminal justice system and testifying in court as an expert witness; communicating with medical and legal officials concerning testing procedures, results, and conclusions; and instructing law enforcement officials on the handling of evidence.
<View complete job listing>

Civilian Forensic Supervisor | Sarasota County, Florida Sheriff's Office
Final Filing Date: Open until filled
Salary: $48,816 - $75,675 per year
Under the supervision of the Forensic Lieutenant, the Forensic Supervisor will oversee the daily operation of the Forensic Section including but not limited to supervising crime scene technicians, assigning cases, maintaining schedules and coordination of crime scene investigations as well as performing the duties of a crime scene technician as a working supervisor. The Forensic Supervisor will lead and mentor assigned forensic personnel and according to succession planning, have the potential for future advancement in the Forensic Section. The Forensic Supervisor will work closely with and maintain positive working relationships with citizens, supervisors, detectives, attorneys, the Medical Exmainers Office and other law enforcement personnel.
<View complete job listing>

Crime Scene Technician | St. Tammany Parish, LA Sheriff's Office
Final Filing Date: Not stated
Salary: To be determined by experience
Process crime scene to locate and collect physical evidence for scientific evaluation; lifts and collects latent fingerprints from crime scene, using scientific techniques; photographic documentation of crime scene using various types of photography; process victim's body or remains for evidentiary purposes; collect, develop and identify latent fingerprints; collect, identify, classify and file known fingerprints; identifies by comparison latent fingerprints using A.F.I.S. and/or manual means; composes lineup and mug shots using computer software; creates court worthy reports and documentation of crime scenes; testifies in court regarding the finding and processing methods used at the crime scene; submits properly packaged and labeled evidence to the Evidence Officer for further forensic evaluation and for use in court; ability to operate a variety of computer systems including but not limited to N.B.I.N., A.F.I.S./I.A.F.I.S. Video Enhancement, Jail phone monitoring system, and photo developing equipment.
<View complete job listing>

Forensic Science Technician | West Virginia University Research Corporation
Final Filing Date: Not stated
Salary: Competitive salary and benefits package offered
The incumbent gathers data, assesses information, considers options, proposes resolutions, creates reports and translates data into content for forensic professionals. The incumbent will facilitate development of new knowledge through creation of online and on site continuing education courses. Responsibilities require knowledge of forensic lab processes/procedures and effective writing skills.
<View complete job listing>

Search for more job listings in Crime Scene Investigations and Forensics
<Crime Scene Investigator Network Employment Listings>

To notified of job openings as they are posted, follow us on Twitter
<Job Openings on Twitter>

CSI In The News

<Delays in DNA testing plague courts>
The Scretching case was not the first time the inability to present DNA evidence hindered prosecution of a violent crime in Delaware. Delays in DNA testing -- a linchpin of today's criminal justice system -- are commonplace. In recent months, delays have worsened. Though judges, prosecutors, crime lab officials and other top state administrators have been aware of the problem for years, the backlogs show no signs of abating.
The News Journal, by Cris Barrish and Sean O'Sullivan – October 18, 2009

<FBI Analyst Accidentally Contaminates Chandra Levy Case DNA>
An FBI forensic analyst mistakenly got some of her own DNA on evidence recovered from the site where Chandra Levy's body was found, attorneys said Friday during a hearing in D.C. Superior Court. The mishap surfaced as the FBI analyst, since fired, was reviewing pieces of evidence that included the former federal intern's bra, tights, underwear and shoes found in Rock Creek Park near where her body was discovered.
Washington Post, by Keith L. Alexander – October 17, 2009

<Austin (texas) Police Department using DNA to solve property crimes>
APD is now collecting DNA at property crime scenes. Crime scene technicians say burglars often leave something behind such as blood on broken glass, saliva or sweat.“It's just a matter of getting in there and finding out what they left behind because they always leave something behind on each and every scene,” APD Crime Scene Supervisor William Welch said. The backlog is three to six months because evidence for crimes against persons is processed first. Still detectives have high hopes for the future.
KVUE News – Austin, TX, by Noelle Newton – October 14, 2009

<Microsoft gives forensics tool to U.S. police through NW3C>
Microsoft has teamed up with the National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C) to distribute a computer-forensics tool to U.S. police for free. The Computer Online Forensic Evidence Extractor (COFEE) makes it easy for any officer, not just digital forensics specialists, to record the current processes of a suspect's computer. An officer can plug in a COFEE-formatted USB thumb drive, run COFEE and download data that would have been lost if the computer were turned off for transit to the police station.
Seattle Post Intelligencer – Seattle, WA – October 14, 2009

<Walton sheriff gets largest grant yet>
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office has received a Combating Crime in a Rural Community grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. The nearly $819,000 grant is the largest the department has received, according to a news release announcing the award. The bulk of the grant will be used to purchase and equip the Sheriff’s Office’s first crime scene vehicle.
The News Herald – Panama City, FL, by Kim White – October 12, 2009

Other Resources on the Crime Scene Investigator Network Website

To Unsubscribe

To unsubscribe from future e-mail newsletters, please click here: unsubscribe.

Crime Scene Investigator Network
PO Box 1043
Wildomar, CA 92595-1043

To ensure future delivery of Crime Scene Investigator Network newsletters to your inbox (not bulk or junk folders) please add our "from" address "newsletter@crime-scene-investigator.net" to your address book or e-mail whitelist.{UNSUBSCRIBE "unsubscribe"}