PHYSICAL EVIDENCE MANUAL - Crime Scene Investigator Network

Physical Evidence Manual
examination. Any number of paper specimens may be placed in a single
envelope for submission.
Any latent prints of identifiable quality will be imaged and the original lifts or
evidence will be returned to the submitting agency. If the original lift is not
available, non jpeg images of the latent, with a scale in the image, may be
submitted. (See the Division policy on submitting digital images)..
After comparisons are conducted with any known suspect’s prints or submitted
inked standards, the remaining unidentified latent fingerprints will be evaluated
for AFIS quality and may be searched against the AFIS database. Unidentified
latent fingerprints of AFIS quality will be entered into the unidentified latent
fingerprint database for future searches against the database. If identification is
effected as a result of this search the submitting agency will be notified in an
official laboratory report.
In the event the submitting agency should identify any latent fingerprints that
should be cleared for any reason, the agency should notify the laboratory so
these latent fingerprints can be purged from the unidentified latent fingerprint
database.
Submission of Inked Prints for Comparison Purposes
The investigator should take inked prints from all persons known to have
legitimately handled the evidence (elimination prints) to permit comparison with
any latent prints, or if the individual already has inked prints on file, list their SID
number on the Form 49 when submitting the evidence.
Often latent prints found at the scene of a crime involve areas of the palms,
second and third joints of the fingers, and the finger sides and tips. For this
reason the analyst may request that the investigator take complete inked prints
(major case prints) of all ridges on the hands of suspects or persons known to
have legitimately handled the evidence (elimination prints) to permit
comparisons. Palm prints should always include prints of the lower finger joints,
as well as an extra print of the outer edge of the palm.
Inked prints for comparison with latent prints should be submitted with the
evidence itself.
Identifying the Deceased
The responsibility for identifying deceased persons rests with the State Medical
Examiners (ME) Office. The Forensic Services Division often assists the ME in
identifying decomposed remains. Requests of this type should be made through
the State ME’s Office.
Adopted: May 2002
Revisions: 6
Last Revision: January 31, 2008
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