MICROANALYSIS UNIT TEST METHODS Issuing Authority: Division Commander Page 1 of 270 Issue Date: 09/02/2020 Version 12 INDIANA STATE POLICE MICROANALYSIS UNIT TEST METHODS FOREWORD The Microanalysis Unit of the Indiana State Police Laboratory Division has the responsibility for conducting forensic examinations and comparisons on a wide variety of trace evidence submitted by criminal justice agencies in the State of Indiana. The examinations include paint, plastics, glass, fibers, ignitable liquid residues, lamps, tapes, clandestine laboratory chemicals, physical comparisons, footwear and tire impressions, and unknowns. These test methods are designed for the guidance of forensic scientists who support investigations of cases involving trace evidence. These test methods are to be used in conjunction with Laboratory Division Policies and the Quality Assurance Manual (QAM). The Microanalysis Unit is staffed with trained and skilled forensic scientists who have academic backgrounds in chemistry and other physical science areas (see job descriptions). Additionally, these forensic scientists participate in extensive formalized training programs dealing specifically with the techniques for forensic examinations. These forensic scientists are under the direct control of the Indiana State Police Laboratory Division and are directly supervised by the Microanalysis Unit Supervisor. During the training program, the forensic scientist shall demonstrate competency through written tests, oral examinations, and sample analyses. The body of knowledge which comprises forensic science is a compilation of procedures adapted from other disciplines that encompass many of the physical and natural sciences. During the history of forensic science, a multitude of individuals have greatly contributed to the protocols, methods, and procedures that have become a routine part of analysis. All noted references contained in this document are a starting point and shall not be considered an all- inclusive list of available reference. This document supersedes all previous documents relating to trace examinations and is subject to change according to research, study, and Laboratory Division policy. This test method document is a general approach to the examination of trace physical evidence and the results as they relate to these examinations. While no two cases are identical, a general approach to their examination has been developed. The following are the test methods that shall be used for processing the “typical” case. Procedural deviations, other than those listed, may be employed with the approval of the Microanalysis Unit Supervisor. This test method document is not all-inclusive. Its purpose is to provide a framework of analytical procedures for the Microanalysis (Trace Evidence) Forensic Scientist. Every effort has been made to document the routine procedures used by the Microanalysis Unit and to provide appropriate references. Many procedures have been adapted from standard laboratory practices and, therefore, no specific reference may be available. Issuing Authority: Division Commander Page 2 of 270 Issue Date: 09/02/2020 Version 12 INDIANA STATE POLICE MICROANALYSIS UNIT TEST METHODS TABLE OF CONTENTS TEST METHODS: 1. Evidence Handling Page 5 2. Proficiency Testing Page 15 3. Casework Guidelines and Reviews Page 18 4. Tape Examinations Page 23 5. Paint Examinations Page 48 6. Paint Database Query (PDQ) Requests Page 68 7. Glass Comparison Examinations Page 80 8. Glass Fracture Examinations Page 92 9. Lamp Examinations Page 99 10. Fiber Examinations Page 107 11. Ignitable Liquid Examinations Page 119 12. Clandestine Laboratory Precursors and Reagents Examinations Page 132 13. Physical Edge Match Examinations Page 144 14. Physical Characteristics Examinations Page 150 15. General Chemical Examinations Page 159 16. Footwear and Tire Impression Examinations Page 169 17. Digital Imaging Processing Page 191 APPENDICES: 1. Worksheets Page 195 2. Abbreviations Page 196 3. Definitions Page 198 4. Bruker FTIR Quality Control Page 214 5. Thermo Nicolet FTIR Quality Control Page 215 6. SEM Quality Control Page 216 7. GC/MS Quality Control Page 217 8. Py-GC/MS Quality Control Page 218 9. XRF Quality Control Page 219 10. GRIM Quality Control Page 220 11. Microspectrophotometer Quality Control Page 221 12. Melting Point Microscope Quality Control Page 222 13. Densitometer Quality Control Page 223 14. Caliper Quality Control Page 224 15. PLM Quality Control Page 225 16. Ohm Meter Quality Control Page 226 17. PDQ Quality Control Page 227 18. Solemate FPX Quality Control Page 228 19. Bruker FTIR Preventive Maintenance Page 229 20. Thermo Nicolet FTIR Preventive Maintenance Page 230 21. SEM Preventive Maintenance Page 231 22. GC/MS Preventive Maintenance Page 232 23. Py-GC/MS Preventive Maintenance Page 233 24. XRF Preventive Maintenance Page 234 25. GRIM Preventive Maintenance Page 235 Issuing Authority: Division Commander Page 3 of 270 Issue Date: 09/02/2020 Version 12 INDIANA STATE POLICE MICROANALYSIS UNIT TEST METHODS 26. Microspectrophotometer Preventive Maintenance Page 236 27. Melting Point Microscope Preventive Maintenance Page 237 28. Densitometer Preventive Maintenance Page 238 29. Caliper Preventive Maintenance Page 239 30. Microscope Preventive Maintenance Page 240 31. Ohm Meter Preventive Maintenance Page 241 32. Microanalysis Reference Standards Page 242 33. Microanalysis Reference Materials Page 243 34. Microanalysis Training Materials Page 244 35. Mideo Caseworks/Workspace Documentation Page 245 36. Review Procedures for Footwear and Tire Impression Examinations Page 254 37. Alternate Light Source Filter and Goggle Recommendations Page 258 38. Examination of Footwear or Tire Impression Evidence Page 259 Received by Electronic Methods 39. Waste Disposal Procedures Page 260 Issuing Authority: Division Commander Page 4 of 270 Issue Date: 09/02/2020 Version 12 INDIANA STATE POLICE MICROANALYSIS UNIT TEST METHODS 1. Evidence Handling: 1.1. Scope: This test method is designed for the guidance of Laboratory Division personnel who support investigations where trace evidence occurs as physical evidence in a variety of alleged criminal activities. All evidence submitted for analysis shall be handled, stored, and analyzed to protect the integrity of the evidence. Often a search is made on a myriad of different types of items for the presence of physical evidence, which have potential evidentiary value. The goals are to minimize the potential for cross contamination, to prevent the destruction of evidence, and to ensure the safety of the forensic scientist. Specific procedures shall be used when multiple examination requests are involved on an item. 1.2. Precautions/Limitations: Forensic scientists shall take appropriate precautions to minimize contaminating, altering, or destroying the evidence for additional future examination. Specific procedures shall be used when multiple examination requests are involved on an item. There is always some risk to future examinations when an item of evidence is processed. 1.3. Related Information: 1.3.1. Appendix 1 Worksheets 1.3.2. Other Microanalysis Unit Test Methods 1.4. Instruments: 1.4.1. Stereomicroscope – a microscope which gives a three dimensional view capable of examining samples up to a magnification of approximately 90x. Stereomicroscopical observations (e.g., color, thickness, width, and reinforcement construction) provide initial and discriminating information for comparisons. 1.4.2. Heat Sealer – a device which allows for the heat sealing of plastic bags. Can be used in the sealing of plastic evidence bags. 1.5. Reagents/Materials: The varied nature of items dictates several types of containers be utilized. Paper bags, paper envelopes, plastic bags, pill boxes, cardboard boxes, metal paint cans, and glass bottles are suitable for most items depending on the physical make-up of the sample. Permanent markers shall be used for marking the packaging. 1.6. Hazards/Safety: 1.6.1. General laboratory precautions for processing evidence include wearing of lab coats and gloves when contact with the item could occur. 1.6.2. Biohazards - Forensic scientists shall wear lab coats and gloves while handling evidence. Pens and other objects that are handled with gloves while handling evidence shall be decontaminated after use. If someone is to observe the examination of primary evidence, they shall also be required to wear a lab coat and gloves. People may be in the examination area during the normal course of Issuing Authority: Division Commander Page 5 of 270 Issue Date: 09/02/2020 Version 12 INDIANA STATE POLICE MICROANALYSIS UNIT TEST METHODS business without gloves if they are not handling evidence. 1.6.3. Sharps - Microscopy tools (e.g., scalpels, tweezers), syringes, glass pipets and broken items of evidence pose a potential for punctures. Instrument injector needles can also be a hazard. Care shall be exercised to properly use and dispose of sharps. 1.6.4. Exposure to various materials and chemicals - Protective measures shall be used to comply with the provisions in the Chemical Hygiene Plan, Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan, Laboratory Division Safety Manual, and associated SDS. 1.7. Reference Materials/Controls/Calibration Checks: N/A 1.8. Procedures/Instructions: 1.8.1. For examinations that involve the comparison of an unknown to a known, the unknown item(s) shall be analyzed to identify general characteristics suitable for comparison prior to examination of the known item(s), when practical. The forensic