Trace Evidence
Madeline King and Trey Hart
1. Key
This looks like a small key. We could talk to a locksmith about it and it could lead to a mailbox linked to a possible suspect.
2. Dirt
This looks like some sort of powder like sand or dirt. We could take to a scientist or environmentalist about it. This could be matched to a specific location such as a secondary crime scene or the suspect's house.
3. Twist-tie
This object looks like a wire tie used for food or packaging. We could talk to local grocery stores to see if it matches up to the kind they use to narrow down where the suspect has been.
4. Chewed Gum
This looks like a piece of chewed gum. We could talk to a dentist or other tooth expert to figure out if we could get tooth prints or saliva dna. This could lead to the suspect.
5. Piece of Crayon
This looks like the tip of a crayon. We could talk to the makers of art supplies or an artist to determine if it is. This could be matched to the other part of the crayon and could lead to the suspect or more evidence.
6. Wires
This looks like small pieces of electronic wire. We could talk for an electrician to determine what type of metal it is and where it could be found.
7. Toenail clipping
This looks like a toenail or fingernail clipping. We could talk to a cosmetologist to determine what size and age it may relate to. This could be linked to a suspect.
8. Hair
This looks like a hair. We could talk to a cosmetologist about it to determine the characteristics of it and who it could be linked to.
9. Bone chip
This looks like a piece of a bone chip. We could take to a biologist or natural history museum worker to determine what type it is and how old it is. It could have probative value if it is matched to a larger piece.
10. Burnt Match
This is a used match. We could talk to a scientist or someone who works for a match company to determine what type it is. It could be important to the case if you found the book it came from.
11. Decorative Piece of Clothing
This looks like a piece of clothing or jewelry. We could talk to a jewelry maker or tailor to determine what it could be. If it's found where it came from, it could be matched to a suspect.
12. Red Powder Makeup
This looks like it could be a red powder makeup. We could talk to a cosmetologist to determine if it is makeup and if so, what kind it is. This could be linked to a suspect who owned that type.
13. Pencil Shaving
This looks like a pencil shaving. We could talk to a person who works in the pencil industry to figure out what type it is and where it comes from. This could be linked to a suspect who owns the pencil that that shaving came from.
14. Grain of Rice
This looks like a grain of rice. We could talk to a rice farmer about the type of rice and where it comes from. This could be probative if it came from a batch of rice that the suspect owns.
15. Button
This looks like a button from clothing. We would go to a tailor to have them tell what type it looks like and where it may have come from. It could be linked to a suspect if they own the clothing that it came off of.