NOTICE OF GUIDANCE DOCUMENT Pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 227.112, the Wisconsin Department of Justice is hereby seeking comment on the following proposed guidance documents Physical Evidence Handbook (9th Ed.) PUBLIC COMMENT AND DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION Comments may be submitted to the Wisconsin Department of Justice until February 24, 2020, by emailing the agency contact person listed below. AGENCY CONTACT PERSON Jody J. Schmelzer Assistant Attorney General [email protected] Physical Evidence Handbook 9th Edition Wisconsin Department of Justice Crime Laboratory Bureau Brad Schimel, Attorney General Physical Evidence Handbook 9th Edition Wisconsin Department of Justice State Crime Laboratories Brad Schimel, Attorney General Copyright - Table of Contents Copyright© 2017 by the State of Wisconsin Department of Justice All rights reserved. _________________________________ May not be reproduced in part or in whole in any form without the express permission of the Department of Justice. _________________________________ First Edition – 1968 Second Edition – 1973 Third Edition – 1981 Fourth Edition – 1987 Fifth Edition – 1993 Sixth Edition – 2001 Seventh Edition – 2003 Eighth Edition – 2009 Ninth Edition – 2017 Published in the United States of America Copyright - Table of Contents - Table Copyright Table of Contents Preface ...................................................................................... i Introduction .............................................................................iii 1. Evidence Integrity ....................................................................1 2. Forensic Photography ............................................................17 3. Video and Audio Recordings .................................................41 4. Crime Scene Sketch ..............................................................47 5. Bloodstain Pattern Analysis ..................................................59 6. DNA Evidence and Standards ...............................................61 7. Sexual Offenses .....................................................................73 8. DNA Databank .......................................................................79 9. Questioned Documents .........................................................87 10. Firearms and Ammunition ....................................................91 11. Footwear and Tire Examinations ........................................101 12. Footwear and Tire Impressions ......................................... 103 13. Latent Prints ....................................................................... 119 14. Major Case Prints ............................................................... 131 15. Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) .........141 16. Burglaary ............................................................................. 157 17. Building Materials ............................................................... 163 18. Glass ..................................................................................... 167 19. Tool Marks .............................................................................171 20. Paints ....................................................................................175 21. Metals ....................................................................................179 22. Clothing and Fabrics............................................................ 181 23. Hairs and Fibers .................................................................. 185 24. Woods and Sawdust ............................................................ 189 25. Fracture and Tear Matches ................................................. 191 26. Vehicles ................................................................................ 195 27. Autopsy ................................................................................. 205 28. Identification of Unknown Deceased ................................. 213 29. Dental Identification of Human Remains ........................... 219 30. Toxicology ............................................................................. 227 31. Poisoning ...............................................................................241 32. Controlled Substances ........................................................ 245 33. Arson .................................................................................... 257 34. Explosives, Bombs and Fireworks ...................................... 261 Appendix A - Bloodborne PAthogens .................................. 265 Appendix B - Collection Kits ................................................ 268 Appendix C - Evidence Submission Guidelines ................. 272 Index..................................................................................... 284 Preface Preface Many changes have occurred in the Forensic Science community since last revision of this Physical Evidence Handbook in the field of Forensic Science. The release of the National Academy of Sciences report Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward, a resulting emergence of the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) made up of five Scientific Area Committees (SACs) which report to a Forensic Science Standards Board (FSSB) for Forensic Science under the development coordination of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), emerging technology in various fields such as new and innovative DNA technologies, imaging workstations incorporating comparative analysis software for forensics and law enforcement, and the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology report (PCAST), etc. All which are worthy of attention and discussion; however, the scope of this handbook does not allow attention to direct discussion of such occurrences except to potentially make reference as they relate to the physical evidence of forensic science that is the application of various sciences to law. The need for proper recognition, collection, and preservation of physical evidence is apparent to all who are involved in the criminal justice system. Physical evidence can directly or indirectly lead to the resolution of a crime. Charging and prosecuting decisions may be affected by the quality of the physical evidence supporting the case. The United States and Wisconsin Supreme Court decisions have placed great emphasis upon physical evidence in criminal cases. The Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory provides an important link between collection and court presentation of such evidence—most agencies within the state rely on the Laboratory for forensic examinations. It sometimes happens, however, that materials submitted to the Laboratory prove inadequate for proper analysis, or that improper collection or packaging methods destroy valuable evidence. It is unrealistic to expect that all submitters will know how to collect evidence in the i Preface - Introduction manner required by the Laboratory, however, submitters should have at least general knowledge of proper techniques to guide them. This handbook is offered in the belief that increased knowledge leads to understanding and that understanding leads to excellence. It was written to provide information regarding Laboratory requirements surrounding collection and preservation of physical evidence. This handbook is not intended to be a comprehensive treatment of all of the factors involved in criminal investigation. Because the laws and legal precedents concerning collection of physical evidence are subject to change, it is impossible to give specific, up-to-date information on acceptable procedures. Therefore, it is imperative that during an investigation, close liaison is maintained between the prosecutor’s office and persons responsible for the collection of physical evidence. The staff of the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory has revised and updated this 9th edition of the Handbook with intention that it will continue to be of great value to those who use it. Gratitude and acknowledgement is expressed to laboratory staff members for their many contributions to the work and to the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory colleagues in other Divisions of the Department of Justice who have assisted in seeing this revision completed. Special acknowledgement is made to Crime Laboratory Bureau Technical Unit Leaders, the Wausau Forensic Imaging Unit, and management. ii Introduction Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory Bureau The first Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory, located in Madison, was created by the Legislature in 1947. A second laboratory opened in the Milwaukee area in 1975. The Wausau Laboratory opened for business in 1991. Since the last edition of this handbook, the three Laboratories became the single State Crime Laboratory Bureau and continues to provide technical assistance in criminal matters when requested by authorized parties. Mission Vision To promote excellence To search in analysis, training To search for for the truth service to the through science community and and to lead our organization and shape the with integrity and advancement uncompromising of forensic quality. science. Fig. Intro-1 Mission and Vision Statements Contact information for the three crime laboratories within the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory Bureau, Division of Law En- forcement Services, Department of Justice is as follows: State Crime Laboratory-Madison 4626 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53705-2174 Phone: (608) 266-2031, Fax: (608) 267-1303 State Crime Laboratory-Milwaukee 1578