1.07 Forensic Evidence

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Recommended: Evidence at the crime scene

What other evidence located in the grave can be analysed further, and how?
Other evidence located within the grave consisted of a generic watch, two cigarette butts, a button, a washer and a shell casing. All of these could be analysed for finger prints and DNA. The cigarette butts would also show a serial number indicating the brand (shown in Figure 3), which can be useful if it is found a victim or offender smokes a particular type of cigarette. Figure 3
The button and watch may be identified as belonging to a victim or offender. A witness may recognize the button as belonging to a specific individual’s clothing.
The shell casing may also be used to help distinguish the type of bullet and gun used. Both the button and the shell casing could have DNA and fingerprint evidence.
Is there other information you can gain from the evidence?
The brand of the cigarette butt is legible, which, following identification of the victim or perpetrator, can be used as an identifying feature as evidence in court. The brand of the other cigarette butt is unknown, but could identify an individual who rolls their own. Further, DNA and finger prints could be traced on both.

The shell casing could be matched to a particular model of gun, further DNA and …show more content…

There is potential DNA or a finger print may be found, but as both types of evidence can be wiped off or damaged, this may not be a guaranteed method. If a victim or perpetrator is identified, there is a possibility the watch may be recognized as being owned by one of them, however, because of the nonspecific state, this would be supplementary evidence and not an identifying factor. In the case of the button, it is possible a search of the victim or perpetrator’s (when identified) residence could result in the discovery of the item of clothing from which the button

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