Assignment
The Difference Between Preliminary Field and Laboratory Testing
Handling and processing evidence is an integral component of crime scene management because it lays the foundation for everything the court must consider when weighing the admissibility of evidence. For the most part, the courts prefer testing being carried out in a laboratory setting. However, there are exceptions, such as times when an initial examination also yields valuable information. In this assignment, you will differentiate between testing that might be done on-scene versus in the laboratory, identify testing that might be subject to preliminary testing, as well as compare the different results yielded by preliminary field versus laboratory testing. Support your assignment with examples from this week's required material(s) and/or a minimum of three other scholarly or credible resources and properly cite any references.
Prior to beginning work on this assignment, please review the following:
• From the text:
o Chapter 8: Pattern Evidence 1: General Patterns and Fingerprints
o Chapter 9: Pattern Evidence 2: Firearms, Tool Marks and Document Analysis
• From the free, downloadable resource at the web page Crime Scene Investigation Guide:
o Section D - Completing and Recording the Crime Scene Investigation
o Section E - Crime Scene Equipment
• The articles:
o An Automated Approach to the Classification of Impact Spatter and Cast-Off Bloodstain Patterns
o Chemical Enhancement of Footwear Impressions in Blood Recovered from Cotton using Alginate Casts
• From the free PDF copy at the web page Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward (2009):
o Section 10. Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems
o Section 11. Homeland Security and Forensic Science
• The video Forensic Science: Analysis of Drugs Using Colour Tests shown above
• From the video Bodies, Blood, and Ballistics: Forensics School, Part One:
o Segment 2. Forensics: Blood Spatter 02:35
o Segment 5. Blood Spatter and Trajectories 04:35
• From the video Hands-On Police Work: Forensics School, Part Two:
o Segment 3. Crime Scene Photography 02:27
o Segment 6. How to Capture and Record Fingerprints 03:10
o Segment 8. Crime Scene Documentation 03:18
You are also strongly encouraged to review the list of recommended resources, as they may assist you with this assignment.
In your paper, address the following:
• Identify what types of evidence might be subjected to preliminary or field testing.
• Describe at least two types of testing that might be done on scene.
• Differentiate between why some evidence can and should be subjected to preliminary testing on scene, while other types should not.
• Explain how the on-scene test compares to laboratory testing.
• Compare and contrast the results yielded by preliminary field versus laboratory testing.
• Compare and contrast the admissibility of on-scene versus laboratory testing at trial.
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
1. The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.