Locard's Exchange Principle

1263 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Essay on hair in forensics

Edmond Locard, founder of the Institute of Criminalistics, developed what has become known as Locard’s Exchange Principle. This states that “every contact leaves a trace”, indicating that a criminal will leave a substance of some sort and take away substances during the commission of a serious crime. Trace evidence often refers to samples of a substance, such as paint chips, hairs, fibers, and textile fabrics. Crime scenes will commonly contain trace evidence, often caused by the criminal unconsciously coming into contact with surfaces and leaving behind or picking up trace materials within an area. In 1831, Leuch was the first person to note that amylase activity in the human saliva, which is a major factor for trace evidence. In 1901, German immunologist, Paul Uhlenhuth practiced a part of trace evidence by developing the precipitin test for species. In 1910, Victor Balthazard and Marcelle Lambert, published "Le poil de l'homme et des animaux", also translated as "The hair of man and animals", which was one the first comprehensive hair study successfully written. This includes numerous microscopic studies of hairs from most animals. As a result, during one of the first lawful cases ever involving hairs, Rosella Rousseau was made confess to murder in 1910. In 1945, Frank Lunquist developed the acid phosphatase test for semen, which helps find the DNA of a possible criminal. In 1950, Max Frei-Sulzer developed the tape lift method of collecting trace evidence to make things such as hairs or fibers more portable for investigators. Lastly, in the 1960’s, Maurice Muller adapted the Ouchterlony antibody- antigen diffusion test for precipitin testing to determine species of different animal types, which relates to the feather testing ...

... middle of paper ...

...n, a robe lying on the floor nearby the dead body had bullet holes in them. It was believed that the Lazarus used the robe to muffle the shots. On March 9, 2012, Lazarus was pronounced guilty of first degree murder. Lazarus was sentenced to twenty-seven years in prison on May 11th. She will be eligible for parole in a minimum of twenty-two years.
In conclusion, trace evidence has been and still is a major factor when solving crimes. History of trace evidence has shown the appreciation of advanced technology and just how much easier it is to find a true criminal. Trace evidence is one of the major studies that help prove a suspect’s wrongness with hair follicles, saliva, bodily fluids, fabrics, and much more. Today, trace evidence is still truly helping many investigators find the murderer of most crimes, even though it sometimes takes thirty- two years to solve.

Show More
Related

  • Forensic Science: Bloodstain Pattern Analysis

    922 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Locard’s principle is important in any forensic science field, “the principle holds that the perpetrator will take away traces of the victim and the crime scene; the victim will retain traces of the perpetrator and may leave traces of himself or herself on the perpetrator; and the perpetrator will leave traces of himself or herself at the crime scene in many ways” (Geberth, 2007). The Locard’s principle in BPA is applied in the retrieval and evaluation of bloodstain pattern evidence.

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of DNA Analysis

    1216 Words  | 3 Pages

    . DNA can be left or collected from the hair, saliva, blood, mucus, semen, urine, fecal matter, and even the bones. DNA analysis has been the most recent technique employed by the forensic science community to identify a suspect or victim since the use of fingerprinting. Moreover, since the introduction of this new technique, there has been a large number of individuals released or convicted of crimes based on DNA left at the crime scene. DNA is the abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid.

    Read More

  • Crime Scene Analysis

    2243 Words  | 5 Pages

    The blood of the unknown person became apparent through comparing the blood type found at the crime scene with the contrasting blood types of the suspects. The blood identified at the crime scene could have possibly belonged to Anna Garcia or Erica Piedmont. This observation was based on the information that the blood type found at the crime scene was type A and these two individuals are the only ones that carry that specific type. In similarity, a microscopic photography was taken of the unknown hair follicle found at the crime scene. Then hair samples were taken from the potential suspects, and the victim. These findings were then compared. This was done by looking at each individuals hair follicles and comparing it with the unknown one. By looking at the similarities and differences in medulla diameter, the discovery of the unknown hair follicle became established that it belonged to Anna Garcia. Further examination resulted in the analyzation of a shoe print found at the crime scene. Shoe patterns and sizes were taken from each suspect, including the victims. They were then identified and compared to the one found at the crime scene. By looking at the distinct pattern, size, and the fact that both shoes were a Columbia brand sneaker it became obvious that the shoe print was extremely similar to Anna’s shoe design. Through this found evidence it became

    Read More

  • What physical evidence does in a criminal trial and the vast impact it can make

    1677 Words  | 4 Pages

    In the criminal justice system, the best chance of a fair trial and justice lies within cases that include physical evidence. Physical evidence, whether fibers, fingerprints, or DNA, can give a jury proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Physical evidence can convict a criminal, or it can free an innocent man. It can bring closure to families and to the law enforcement that work the cases. The following cases will show what physical evidence does in a criminal trial and the vast impact it can make. For each case I will examine how the physical evidence was important to the case and whether or not it could have made more of a difference if the presentation of the evidence were different. The five cases are: the Mosley case, the Warren case, the Chandler case, the Frediani case, and the Swift Case.

    Read More

  • DNA Conviction Essay

    777 Words  | 2 Pages

    The most important type of evidence is DNA. When DNA testing takes place, the samples are collected from the suspect and the crime scene. These evidences include hair, fingerprint, human secretions, blood, semen and other bodily fluids, are collected and sent to the lab for further investigation.

    Read More

  • Trace Evidence

    1592 Words  | 4 Pages

    Trace evidence was first discovered by Edmond Locard. Edmond Locard was born in 1877, and founded the Institute of Lyon’s Institute of Criminalistics. He is also known for advancing the science of fingerprints. In 1910 he was authorized to start a small forensic laboratory in the Palais de Justice which he directed until 1951.While there he worked on criminal identification methods including poroscopy- the microscopic examination of fingerprints; analyses of body fluids, hair and skin; and graphometry or handwriting analysis. He is the man responsible for coming up with the theory that when two objects come in contact with each other they leave some kind of material matter behind. This theory was later called Locard’s Exchange Principle. The idea is that the evidence can be used to associate objects, individuals or locations with one another." A person typically loses about 100 hairs a day. These hairs may be of evidentiary value to show contact between two people. With an adequate hair standard, a trace chemist will be able to microscopically compare a...

    Read More

  • Forensics in the Criminal Justice System

    334 Words  | 1 Pages

    The criminal justice system has changed a lot since the good old days of the Wild West when pretty much anything was legal. Criminals were dealt with in any fashion the law enforcement saw fit. The science of catching criminals has evolved since these days. We are better at catching criminals than ever and we owe this advancement to forensic science. The development of forensic science has given us the important techniques of fingerprinting and DNA analysis. We can use these techniques to catch criminals, prove people's innocence, and keep track of inmates after they have been paroled. There are many different ways of solving crimes using forensic evidence. One of these ways is using blood spatter analysis; this is where the distribution and pattern of bloodstains is studied to find the nature of the event that caused the blood spatter. Many things go into the determination of the cause including: the effects of various types of physical forces on blood, the interaction between blood and the surfaces on which it falls, the location of the person shedding the blood, the location and actions of the assailant, and the movement of them both during the incident. Another common type of forensic evidence is trace evidence. This is commonly recovered from any number of items at a crime scene. These items can include carpet fibers, clothing fibers, or hair found in or around the crime scene. Hairs recovered from crime scenes can be used as an important source of DNA. Examination of material recovered from a victim's or suspect's clothing can allow association to be made between the victim and other people, places, or things involved in the investigation. DNA analysis is the most important part of forensic science. DNA evidence can come in many forms at the crime scene. Some of these forms include hair; bodily fluids recovered at the crime scene or on the victim's body, skin under the victim's fingernails, blood, and many others. This DNA can be the basis of someone's guilt or innocence; it has decided many cases in the twentieth century. As the times continue to change and the criminals get smarter we will always need to find new ways to catch them. Forensic science is the most advanced method yet, but is only the beginning. As the field of science grows so will the abilities of the

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of DNA Collection And Its Relationship To Solving Crime

    1511 Words  | 4 Pages

    Once a crime has been committed the most important item to recover is any type of evidence left at the scene. If the suspect left any Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) at the crime scene, he could then be linked to the crime and eventually charged. A suspect’s DNA can be recovered if the suspect leaves a sample of his or her DNA at the crime scene. However, this method was not always used to track down a suspect. Not too long ago, detectives used to use bite marks, blood stain detection, blood grouping as the primary tool to identify a suspect. DNA can be left or collected from the hair, saliva, blood, mucus, semen, urine, fecal matter, and even the bones. DNA analysis has been the most recent technique employed by the forensic science community to identify a suspect or victim since the use of fingerprinting. Moreover, since the introduction of this new technique it has been a la...

    Read More

  • Forensic Evidence Essay

    1251 Words  | 3 Pages

    For this study forensic evidence can be considered DNA evidence and/or trace evidence of any kind, included to but not limited to tire tracks, bullet casings, glass shards, fingerprints, and hair samples. Although this study proposes the idea that forensic evidence is more important it currently is not used frequently in the justice system. A study found that out of the cases they examined forensic evidence was collected in 37% of cases but only 18% of those cases were examined (Peterson, Hickman, Strom, Johnson, 2013). Another study found that 38% of participants said forensic evidence was hard to come by while 62% said they had spent time on victim credibility (Menaker, Campbell, Wells, 2016). This shows us that forensic evidence is not used frequently, and more time is spent on making a victim credible instead of finding evidence. It is the purpose of this study to determine if forensic evidence is more important than circumstantial evidence and eye witness testimony. If this can be determined than less time can be spent on things like victim credibility for testimonies, and more time can be spent on analyzing forensic

    Read More

  • Forensic Science: Stopping the Crime

    1600 Words  | 4 Pages

    In here I will clarify each potential evidences of the crime and explain of the application of the identified forensic procedure to the facts of the case. One of the perpetrators cuts his hand when trying to drag of the witness in the crime scene. Thus, in this case blood stains would be the one of the potential evidence. The precipitin test might be applied to bloodstains in a numerous ways. It conduct...

    Read More

  • Forensic Evidence Essay

    1204 Words  | 3 Pages

    Whereas the real picture of forensic evidence is unlike what is represented in movies and television shows where a fingerprint or a trace of hair is found, then it’s game over for the criminal. Reality is not as straightforward. As more people are exposed to the unreal forensic world through television and media the likeliness for a wrong conviction increases with juries assuming the evidence involves more science than what it really does, this is known as the CSI Effect. Further education and training is needed for the people of the court, the forensic specialists, and so called experts. The people in courts do not question any of the ‘professionals’ and just trust in their expertise. The court could overcome this perception by requiring explanation of error rates in a forensic field. To do this, testing examiner error rates will be necessary which means further research. Forensic science has such a large effect on the prosecution of suspects, experts have been known to provide questionable and at times incorrect evidence. When a false conviction occurs the true perpetrator is set free. Once realized, the public doubts the justice system and the reliability of the forensic evidence even more. At this point in time, forensic is an inexact

    Read More

  • Collecting the Evidence From a Crime Scene

    1095 Words  | 3 Pages

    The amount of evidence can either help win or lose a case. Every crime scene has evidence available for officers to collect. It is important for them to know what the standard protocol is for collecting evidence and how to properly collect it without contamination.

    Read More

  • Forensic Science History Essay

    836 Words  | 2 Pages

    As far back as 1832, James Marsh was the first to use forensics at trial to give evidence as a chemist in 1832. Since that time forensic science and evidence has come a long way in various ways and technology to help in determine if the suspect is guilt or not, through such things as DNA testing, blood, and fingerprints. The first forensic police crime lab was created in 1910. The contributions of Dr. Edmond Locard, a French scientist and criminologist, proposed that “everything leaves a trace”. This principle is still valid today as it was so many years ago. No matter how small, the specialized trained technicians and investigators can take these methods and go to a crime scene to get evidence. “Forensic science is the application of sciences such as physics, chemistry, biology, computer science and engineering to matters of law.” (Office of Justice, 2017) These different sciences can help achieve and assist in solving a case. Forensic science has also the ability to prove that a crime was committed, it can find the elements of the crime, it can help place the suspect at the scene and whether the suspect had any contact with the victim. However, in the last several years the techniques and with the use of technology the evidence that forensic science uncovers can also exonerate an innocent individual who has been falsely accused of the

    Read More

  • Crime Scene Investigation

    933 Words  | 2 Pages

    It proves a crime has occurred and can go back to who committed it. Trace / Contact evidence was recognized by Edmund Locard. He stated that every contact left a trace, but also the suspect takes a piece of the crime scene away with them. This is very evident with my case. Testimonial evidence are witness statements.

    Read More

  • Essay On The Criminal Investigation Process

    1078 Words  | 3 Pages

    The process of gathering evidence largely depends on the role of discretion by the police. Once police have decided to pursue a reported crime, they then begin the process of gathering evidence. To ensure that the process of gathering evidence is lawful, the police must follow the procedure outlined in the Evidence Act 1995 (NSW), which describes the manner in which evidence can be collected. This act imposes certain limits on the way police can gather evidence and the types of evidence that can be used. The Act is able to protect the rights of citizens by making it a requirement for the police to gain necessary legal documentation, such as search warrants, in order to obtain some types of evidence and thus, protects the rights of ordinary systems. In more recent times, the use of technology has come to play a major role in the gathering of evidence and with this comes complications in the law. New technologies in relation to the criminal investigation process are mainly in reference to DNA evidence, genetic material that can place a suspect at the scene of a crime. The introduction of DNA evidence into the criminal investigation process has been extremely effective in achieving justice, as it is able to secure convictions. Initially, there were some setbacks to the use of DNA evidence

    Read More

More about Locard's Exchange Principle

Open Document