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Class vs. Individual Evidence Lab.
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1. A torn towel ( C ) was found in the back seat of a suspect’s car. Two pieces of torn terrycloth ( A ) (B ) were found at the scene of the crime. Can the two pieces be individualized to the towel (one, both or none)? Explain – use the letters so I know which pieces you are talking about.
You should be able to individualize one piece, while the other is class evidence. Ask them whether the color makes a difference. White is more common, so a red shirt, for example, would have more probative value
3. A large piece of broken bottle was found at the scene of a crime. Part of a broken bottle was found with a suspect. Can the top be uniquely associated (individualized) with the bottom? Explain.
They fit together as individual evidence, like pieces in a jigsaw puzzle
4. A note was found at a crime scene at a bank. A notepad with a similar type of paper was found in the desk of a suspect. Can the note be traced to the pad? Explain. Can the handwriting be associated to a person? Can fingerprints on the note be individualized to a person?
The note cannot be individualized to the pad unless there is a tear pattern that matches or the writing left an impression on the pages below. Students frequently will answer that the handwriting or fingerprints can individualize the note. This is true, but they can individualize the handwriting or fingerprints only to a person and not to the pad
5. A soda can was found at the scene of a crime. Investigators tried to determine whether any of several tabs found in a suspects garage could be uniquely associated (individualized) with the can. How would this be possible? Explain.
If a tear pattern can be matched between the tab and the top, it is individual evidence; however, a lot of samples would have to be investigated to determine the odds of a unique tear pattern; this is highly improbable, so this would be class evidence. Unless… there are matching fingerprints on both
6. A shoe print was found at the scene of a hit-and-run automobile accident. How can a suspect’s shoe be individualized to match a print? Be detailed!!!!
The shoe can be individualized to the print only if wear patterns an be identified and matched.
7. Section A of the local paper was found at the scene of a crime. Section B was found in the home of a suspect. Is section B individual or class evidence? Explain.
Chances are that they will be class evidence unless an unusual tear, crease, or stain goes through both sections. • Did you notice the purple fingerprint?
8. Some powder was found in a plastic bag in a suspect’s pocket. Some similar powder was found on the victim. Can the first powder be individualized to the second powder? Explain. If the two powders were determined to be chemically identical, does this prove they came from the same source?
Even though they are the same powder chemically, there is nothing unusual about them, and there is no way to prove that the powder in the vial came from the same source as the powder in the bag. It is, therefore, class evidence. • But Jayden’ s handprint could have individualized it
9. If a small piece of paper were cut into pieces, would the pieces be class or individual evidence? Explain. (is this more than one piece?)
10. If the same small piece of paper were torn into four pieces, would the pieces be class or individual evidence? Explain. (Is this more than one piece?)
Torn papers could be pieced together like a puzzle; therefore, they are individual evidence
11. A piece of gum was found at a suspicious house fire. A suspect was found carrying a pack of the same type of gum, several of which were missing. Is the single piece of gum class or individual evidence? Explain. What about the empty pack of gum? (Assuming there are no prints)
the single piece of gum is individual evidence if teeth marks can be matched. The pack of gum is class as there are many packs of the same kind of gum….UNLESS…what?
12. A piece of duct tape was taken from a victim of a B and E (breaking and entering) A roll of the same brand of duct tape was found at the suspect’s home. Would this be considered class or individual evidence? Explain.
Class… UNLESS the roll was found to have matching tear patterns (not cut… like the paper), or matching fibers (or hair) were found on each… then it would be individual.
13. A pair of disposable latex gloves was found at the scene of a robbery. A box of the same brand of latex gloves was found at a suspect’s home. Can the gloves be individualized to the box? Explain.
There is no way to individualize the gloves to that particular box – even if the gloves at the crime scene had blood on them…. Unless… some sort of same fiber or hair was found on each.
14. Lip prints were found on a glass with fingerprints, could these be individuated to the suspect? Explain fully… be careful other things come into play…. Like what?
If the lip prints and or fingerprints match the suspect’s then they would be considered individual evidence. Don’t forget about DNA which could be found if any cells (from saliva) were left behind
15. Could you identify the fingerprint on the left as the suspect’s (pink one)? Yes or no – Explain your choice.
The fingerprint on the left is too smudged… and is most likely different
16. Could you identify the fingerprint on the left as the suspect’s (pink one)? Yes or no – Explain your choice.
The fingerprint on the right matches the fingerprint on the left
17. A bite mark was found on a victim’s arm. Of the three suspects can you individuals which one made the bite?
Bitemark “C” matches the bite on the victim… so this evidence is individual
18. A pencil was found at a crime scene – can this be individualized to the pencil sharpener found in the suspect’ s home? Explain
Individual… if you could match the shavings in the pencil sharpener to the pencil
19. Would the envelope be considered class or individual evidence? Explain
Yes, it is individual evidence because of the lip print (and possible DNA) on it.
Class or individual evidence – Why? Bottle cap
