Traces left by a criminal in the form of foot
impression, tool impression, and tire
impression in cases like theft, robbery, etc. will
bu studied in this chapter. The evidential value
of an impression made by shoe, hand, tool, or
other articles is based in the theory that no two
physical objects are alike and hence that
impressions made by such object often is
marked by uniquely identifying characteristics.
A given impression can only be produced by
one object.
Definition of Terms:
Cast- reproduction of an object, known as positive
impression..
Subject- an impression that is to be reproduced.
Mold- impression made or left by an object, known as
negative impression.
Molding- process of reproducing the impression of an
object.
Casting - a process whereby a reproduction of an
object is secured by introducing a suitable hardening
material into the impression.
Impression – a strong mark produced by
pressure that goes below the surface. A stamp,
form or figure resulting from physical contact. It
causes damage to the object.
Imprint – weak mark made by pressure that stays
on the surface.
In scientific criminal investigation the problem of
reproducing the faithful representation of an object
is of great evidential value. In many cases reliance
has been placed on photographic method. In
cases involving footprints, tool marks, tooth
impressions, photographic representation may not
serve the purpose. Using a mold called moulage
can only make a faithful reproduction of these
objects.
Moulage – a faithful reproduction of an
impression with the use of casting materials. It
is admitted that moulage cannot reproduce all
characteristics of the object under all
circumstances but whatever is mission in a
moulage it can be supplied by the photograph.
Casting material – any material which can be
changed from a plastic or liquid state to the
solid condition.
For foot impression and tire impression, Plaster
of Paris is the best casting material.
Other Casting Materials:
1. Wood’s metal – used for small
impressions as tooth impression, tool
impression.
2. Plastic material – like plasticine and
dental composition. Used for small impression.
Dental composition is the best casting material
for making the cast of tool marks.
3. Negocoll - used for human body as cast
of hand or face. It is rubbery gelatinous
consisting of colloidal magnesium soap.
4. Celerit - brown substance used for
backing and strengthening the hominid (human
being)
Characteristic of a good casting material
1. It must be readilly fluid or plastic when
applied- so that it can penetrate into minute
dpressions or cracks on the impressions.
2. Must harden rapidly to a rigid mass-so that no
reformation of the cast takes place when it is
being removed from the impression.
3. Must not be deformable nor shrinks-so that if
measurements are to be made from the cast, it can
retain exactly its size and shape.
4. Must be tough- so that the minute lines and
ridgesin the impression do not break or
disintegrate, so that it will stand the wear and tear it
will receive during examination.
5. Must be easy to apply- since cast have to taken
under all kinds of difficult circumstances, it can
readily be seen that the simpler the method the
better the result.
6. Must not have the tendency to adhere to the
impression.
7. Should have fine, even composition and surface-
the grain of the surface must be considerably
smaller than the smallest detail it is desired to show
in the cast otherwise this detail is lost in the grain.
8. It should not injure the
impression.
9. It should be easily
obtainable
9. It should be cheap
What are TOOLMARKS?
Are impressions or marks produced by a
tool or instrument on a receptive
surface.When a tool makes contact with the
surface with sufficentimpact to create
indentation, the pattern of the tool is
permanently reproduced onto the surface.
Characteristics of toolmarks
Toolmarks have two characteristics,namely:
-Class characteristics includes its general shape, the
type of impressions, and its general dimensions.
Class characteristic allow the examiner to identify
what type of tool created the impression and how
the mark is created.
-Individual characteristic-or accidental
characteristics are the striations exhibited by the
tool,which are unique to a certain tool. They consist
of small, commonly microscopic, ridges, indentation,
and irregularities present on the tool itself.
Class characteristics
Individual characteristics
Types of toolmarks
There are two main type of tool marks,namely:
SLIPPED IMPRESSIONS – occurs as the tool is
dragged across the surface, resulting in tool
marks comprising a series of striations running
parallel to each other.
MOLDED IMPRESSIONS – results from the
contact of a tool onto a surface with a no lateral
motion(no drag nor slip).
Slipped impressions
Molded impressions
Evidence submitted in toolmark cases may
include tools, such as:
- bolt cutters
- scissors
-saw, knives
- screwdrivers, chisels
Crowbars tire irons
- pliers, wrenches
