Scenario of a Toolmark Impression on an Object
A scenario in which a tool mark impression is made on an object involves a door being forced open using a tool. Such an impression is discovered on the back door of a residential home after the owner reports about a tool being used to forcefully gain entry. It can be visualized based on a series of indentations and scratches that appear on the door’s surface.
Methods for Collecting Toolmark Evidence
Collecting evidence from the surface requires the toolmark to be well-documented (Kumar et al., 2020). This can be achieved by photographing the mark from different angles. A visual record of the mark is necessary for comparison purposes. Documentation can then be followed by using casting material to help create a three-dimensional replica of the mark (Aronson et al., 2021).
The material is poured carefully onto the mark and left to harden, which allows it to preserve fine details. Further evidence can be gathered by lifting latent prints, which will likely be present around the toolmark. Prints can be collected using fingerprint powder or other popular lifting techniques (Pitts et al., 2021). The different evidence-collection mechanisms help ensure crime scene analysts have adequate information to produce conclusive results.
Challenges in Analyzing Toolmarks of Different Sizes
One of the challenges likely to exist due to the small tool mark is that it might be difficult for analysts to gather evidence. In such a case, experts can miss the finer details and patterns that can be useful in cracking the case. This might require the use of specialized tools that can help enhance visibility while also enabling the capture of high-resolution pictures.
A challenge likely to be faced when dealing with large tool marks is that it might be difficult to capture the whole impression when observing and photographing (Baiker-Sørensen et al., 2020). This makes it difficult for analysts to have visual records to be used in comparison. Such impressions might require an analyst to rely on proper scaling techniques, which can enhance accuracy.
References
Aronson, A., Elyashiv, A., Cohen, Y., & Wiesner, S. (2021). A novel method for linking between a 3D printer and printed objects using toolmark comparison techniques. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 66(6), 2405-2412. Web.
Baiker-Sørensen, M., Herlaar, K., Keereweer, I., Pauw-Vugts, P., & Visser, R. (2020). Interpol review of shoe and tool marks 2016-2019. Forensic Science International: Synergy, 2, 521-539. Web.
Kumar, S., Saxena, G., & Gautam, A. (2021). Forensic analysis and interpretation of tool marks. IntechOpen. Web.
Pitts, R., Wei, M., Yu, J., & Rairden, A. (2021). An empirical comparison of DSLRs and smartphone cameras for latent print photography. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Forensic Science, 3(1), e1391. Web.