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The Forensic Examination and Interpretation of Tool Marks brings together key techniques and developments in the field of tool marks in forensic science and explains clearly how tool mark analysis can be used within forensic investigation.
The purpose of this book is to bring together as much of this information as possible in an accessible manner. The book deals with all aspects of tool mark evidence from crime scene to courtroom. The examination of a wide variety of different tool marks are discussed, including those made by specific tools such as saws and in complex materials such as bone.
The general principles and techniques used in tool mark examinations can also be applied to some other closely related fields. Therefore, sections on the examination of manufacturing marks, including those on plastic film items, and physical fit comparisons are also included.
The book will be of interest to a wide range of people and not just to tool mark examiners and people studying forensic science. It will be of use to crime scene examiners, officers investigating crimes where tool marks are found and members of the legal professions.
* Brings together key techniques and developments within the field of tool mark investigation.
* Includes material on examining tool marks at the crime scene and in the laboratory, interpretation and evaluation issues and how tool mark evidence should be presented in court.
* Covers specialized tool mark examinations, manufacturing marks, including those on plastic film items, and physical fits.
* Includes a large range of illustrations and photographs.
* Invaluable reference for practicing forensic scientists, students of forensic sciences, members of the legal professions and crime scene investigators, enabling them to recognise the importance of tool marks within an investigation.
* An extremely valuable resource in the on-going debate regarding the evidential value of tool marks in court.
* Part of the 'Essentials in Forensic Science' book series.
List of contents
About the Authors xi
Series Foreword: Essentials of Forensic Science xv
Foreword xvii
Preface xxi
About the Companion Website xxv
1 Introduction 1
1.1 Overview of contents 1
1.2 A brief history of tool marks 4
1.3 General aspects of marks' comparison 7
1.4 Training requirements for examiners 8
1.5 Good forensic practice 10
1.6 Examination and comparison strategy 11
1.6.1 Analysis 11
1.6.2 Comparison 12
1.6.3 Evaluation 12
1.6.4 Verification 12
1.7 Environment and equipment 13
1.7.1 Basic requirements 13
1.7.2 Examiner's 'toolbox' 14
1.7.3 Test mark and casting materials 14
1.7.4 Larger equipment 17
1.7.4.1 The comparator 18
1.8 Quality assurance 22
1.9 A brief summary 23
References 24
2 Tool Manufacture 25
2.1 Introduction 25
2.2 Working with metal 28
2.3 Creating a tool 'blank' 29
2.3.1 Forging 30
2.3.2 Blanking and shearing 31
2.3.3 Metal cutting operations 32
2.4 Finishing processes 34
2.5 Wear, corrosion and damage 45
References 51
3 Scene Examination 53
3.1 Examining and recording the scene 53
3.2 General preliminaries 54
3.2.1 Verifying the circumstances 54
3.2.2 Recording the scene 54
3.2.3 Scene to scene linking 55
3.2.4 Packaging 55
3.3 Forced entry marks--levering 56
3.3.1 Recovery of levering marks 58
3.4 Forced entry marks--other 63
3.4.1 Hammer-type attack 64
3.4.2 Gripping tool attacks 65
3.4.3 Motor vehicle entry 66
3.5 Entry by cutting 67
3.5.1 Padlock removal 68
3.5.2 Breached security systems 69
3.6 Theft of metal 72
3.7 Examination of machines 73
3.8 Pathology samples 74
3.9 Collecting suspect tools 77
References 79
4 Initial Laboratory Examination 81
4.1 General preliminaries 81
4.1.1 Receiving items 81
4.1.2 Planning the examination 82
4.1.3 Preparing for the examination 84
4.1.4 Collecting the items 84
4.1.5 Decontamination of item packaging 84
4.1.6 Operating procedures 84
4.1.7 Recording and opening the packaging 85
4.1.8 Description of the item 86
4.1.9 Examination of the item 86
4.2 Mainly impressed marks 86
4.2.1 Levering marks 87
4.2.2 Impact marks 89
4.2.3 Gripping marks 89
4.2.4 The tool(s) 90
4.3 Mainly dynamic marks 91
4.3.1 Levering marks with striations 92
4.3.2 Cutting and stabbing marks 92
4.4 Saw marks 99
4.5 Post-mortem samples 105
4.6 Alphanumeric punches 108
4.7 Using tool marks for intelligence purposes 111
4.7.1 Type and size of tool 111
4.7.2 Scene-to-scene linking without a tool 111
4.7.3 Scene-to-scene linking using a tool recovered from a scene 112
4.7.4 Linking suspect's tool(s) to previously unsuspected scenes 112
4.7.5 Setting up a database 112
References 113
5 Detailed Laboratory Examination 115
5.1 First considerations 115
5.2 Presentation of material to the comparator 116
5.3 Impressed marks 119
5.4 Marks with striations 123
5.4.1 Sliding marks 124
5.4.2 Double-bladed cutting tools 128
5.4.3 Stab marks
About the author
David Baldwin has been providing consulting in the business intelligence sector for 22 years. His experience includes Tableau training and consulting, developing BI solutions, project management, technical writing, and web and graphic design. His vertical experience includes financial, healthcare, human resources, aerospace, energy, education, government, and entertainment industries.
Summary
Bringing together key techniques and developments within the field, The Forensic Examination and Interpretation of Tool Marks explores how these techniques are used within forensic investigation. This accessible text covers specialized examinations of specific tools in complex materials as well as the selection and preservation of material.
Report
"An excellent resource that would find a prominent place in an organisation's library, a legal library and a forensic scientist's personal library." ( The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences , 1 January 2015)
