FOR3701 Assignment 2
(COMPLETE
GUIDELINE) Semester 1
2025 (524227) - DUE 24
April 2025
For assistance contact
Email:
, Question 1.1 The Locard Exchange Principle states that all contact leaves a trace. That is, whenever
two people or objects touch, there will be some exchange of material between them. That is, you
always take something with you and leave something behind.
Applying the same rule to suspects' vehicles (BMW X1 and Audi A4) in this case study means that as
the suspects drove in these vehicles, there must have been a transfer of microscopic evidence from
the suspects and to the car interior and exterior. For example:
Suspects to Car: Hair, skin cells, fingerprints, clothing fibers, saliva, blood (if anyone was injured prior
to the shootout), and any personal belongings or substances they had may have been transferred to
the seats, steering wheel, dashboard, floor mats, and exterior surfaces of the cars.
Suspects to Vehicle: Conversely, the fibers from vehicle seats, carpet, or any other material contained
within the automobiles, and whatever other trace material is already contained within the cars (e.g.,
dust, dirt, previous use pollen), could have transferred to the clothing, shoes, and bodies of the
suspects.
By very comprehensive gathering and examination of likely trace evidence on the cars, connections
between suspects and crime scene (cars in themselves) are established regardless of survival or
detention elsewhere of suspects. Proof against the alleged fact by arrested suspects is generated
through such transferred evidence. (Saferstein, 2018)
Question 1.2 The kinds of evidence which may be transferred between the suspects and the cars
include
Biological Evidence: Hair (head, pubic, or body hair), epithelial skin cells, blood (if present due to
injury), saliva, semen (where applicable), and fingerprints (latent prints left by the contact of fingers
and palms).
Fiber Evidence: Suspect clothing fibers, vehicle carpets or upholstery, or other fabric products that
came into contact.
Trace Evidence: Dirt or soil that is found on the suspects' shoes or on the exterior of the vehicle,
pollen grains, paint chips (if the vehicles struck against other objects), glass fragments (if the
windows were smashed), and gunshot residue (if weapons were discharged inside the vehicle).
Other Microscopic Evidence: Other small particles or material that could have been deposited by
contact, such as cosmetics, drugs, or personal item trash.
Question 1.3 The Lochner Principle (otherwise most erroneously referred to here; likely simply a
misconstruction of forensic principles) would not at all apply to the examination of cell phones as
intimated. But what is found in the phones recovered can be examined to counter the suspect, who
is 22 years old, of being coerced into involvement. This investigation would be to check his
involvement and communication with the other suspects in order to infer his willing involvement.
(COMPLETE
GUIDELINE) Semester 1
2025 (524227) - DUE 24
April 2025
For assistance contact
Email:
, Question 1.1 The Locard Exchange Principle states that all contact leaves a trace. That is, whenever
two people or objects touch, there will be some exchange of material between them. That is, you
always take something with you and leave something behind.
Applying the same rule to suspects' vehicles (BMW X1 and Audi A4) in this case study means that as
the suspects drove in these vehicles, there must have been a transfer of microscopic evidence from
the suspects and to the car interior and exterior. For example:
Suspects to Car: Hair, skin cells, fingerprints, clothing fibers, saliva, blood (if anyone was injured prior
to the shootout), and any personal belongings or substances they had may have been transferred to
the seats, steering wheel, dashboard, floor mats, and exterior surfaces of the cars.
Suspects to Vehicle: Conversely, the fibers from vehicle seats, carpet, or any other material contained
within the automobiles, and whatever other trace material is already contained within the cars (e.g.,
dust, dirt, previous use pollen), could have transferred to the clothing, shoes, and bodies of the
suspects.
By very comprehensive gathering and examination of likely trace evidence on the cars, connections
between suspects and crime scene (cars in themselves) are established regardless of survival or
detention elsewhere of suspects. Proof against the alleged fact by arrested suspects is generated
through such transferred evidence. (Saferstein, 2018)
Question 1.2 The kinds of evidence which may be transferred between the suspects and the cars
include
Biological Evidence: Hair (head, pubic, or body hair), epithelial skin cells, blood (if present due to
injury), saliva, semen (where applicable), and fingerprints (latent prints left by the contact of fingers
and palms).
Fiber Evidence: Suspect clothing fibers, vehicle carpets or upholstery, or other fabric products that
came into contact.
Trace Evidence: Dirt or soil that is found on the suspects' shoes or on the exterior of the vehicle,
pollen grains, paint chips (if the vehicles struck against other objects), glass fragments (if the
windows were smashed), and gunshot residue (if weapons were discharged inside the vehicle).
Other Microscopic Evidence: Other small particles or material that could have been deposited by
contact, such as cosmetics, drugs, or personal item trash.
Question 1.3 The Lochner Principle (otherwise most erroneously referred to here; likely simply a
misconstruction of forensic principles) would not at all apply to the examination of cell phones as
intimated. But what is found in the phones recovered can be examined to counter the suspect, who
is 22 years old, of being coerced into involvement. This investigation would be to check his
involvement and communication with the other suspects in order to infer his willing involvement.
