Mechanics of Impression Evidence

As forensic technology becomes more sophisticated, courts are demanding more scientific content and juries are expecting meticulous confirmation of facts alleged. Greater attention is now paid to increasingly finer details and improved methods of describing every form of evidence. Applying physics, chemistry, and engineering to the process of analysis and interpretation, Mechanics of Impression Evidence reflects the shift to these heightened standards and offers a starting point for significant change in the way that impression evidence is considered, utilized, and presented.

Concepts discussed in this groundbreaking text include:



The three-dimensional nature of the human fingerprint and a shift toward a more holistic image of the surface of friction skin
Dimensional stability and striation mark issues, which can change the way footwear outsoles are evaluated and compared
The research and development of electrostatic scans that could possibly save lives and locate or describe evidence as never before
The growing availability of new measurement techniques that can improve evidence testimony
The use of personal experimentation to support conclusions or confirm that which is otherwise considered fact


Making use of logic and science to question our approach to impression evidence, this volume begins with simple ideas and basic notions and uses these building blocks to suggest and consider potentially controversial changes in the way evidence is located, interpreted, compared, and presented.

David S. Pierce is certified as a footwear examiner by the Canadian Identification Society and has had numerous articles published in the Journal of Forensic Science.

Forensic Analysis of Wood DNA; S. L Wilson and D. S. Pierce
Introduction
Materials, Methods, and Results
Discussion
Signs of Evolution
A New Beginning for Forensics
Substrate to Structure
Forces
A Basic Look at a Popular Substrate
Symmetry
Perspective
Ivory Tower Syndrome
The View Has Changed
The Basis
The Ground We Walk On
Soil Composition
The Structure of Soil
Influences that Act on Soils
A Curious Destination for Minerals and Dyes
Measurement; E. Liscio and D. S. Pierce
The Relevance of Measurement
Accuracy and Language Issues
Photogrammetry
Stereoscopic Images and Scanning Synopsis
Fluids; P. Mallay and D. S. Pierce
Simple Drops
Modeling Droplets
Sample Calculation
Experimental Process
Friction and Fluids
Analysis and Comparison
Summary
Surface Pairings
The Value of a Surface Pairing
Sequential Analysis
Transfer
Coincidental Impressions
Paired Surfaces at a Point of Contact
Industrial Materials
Bias
Sources of Bias
Creation Theory Bias
The Awful Truth about Bias
Errors
Validation
Confirmation
Exhibits to Evidence
Re-Creating the Scene
The Use of Observations
Validation Study of Three-Dimensional Striations from Outsoles
Beginning with Markings
The Hypothesis
Empirical Studies
Dimensional Stability of Outsoles
Experiments with Casual Exposures to Solvents
Summary of Possibilities and Probabilities of Validation
Potential of Electrostatics
Images of Electrons
Toward Development of a Unified Theory
Collective Value
Cautions
Appendix: Terminal Velocity Calculator
Index