trace evidence
Crime scene fragments
Trace evidence is material transferred between people, objects, or locations during a crime—fibers, hair, soil, glass fragments, gunshot residue.
The principle is that contact always leaves something behind: a burglar tracks mud, a victim's hair clings to an attacker's shirt.
Trace evidence linked the suspect to the scene.
Forensic analysis of such minute deposits can establish presence or contact when other evidence is lacking.
- DNA profilingIdentification via genetic sequences
- touch DNAGenetic trace from handling
- fibersThreadlike structural strands
- fiber analysisTesting strand composition
- chain of custodyDocumented evidence handling sequence
fingerprint analysis · hair · glass fragments · paint chips · microscopy · pollen · spectroscopy · chromatography · crime lab · transfer · vacuuming · swabbing · crime scene · suspect identification · bloodstain · soil analysis · mass spectrometry · cross-contamination
- crime investigationdetective, whodunit, investigation, detectives, investigator
- criminal investigationsinvestigations, crime scene, crime scenes, crime scene investigation, crime scene analysis
- evidenceproof, admissible, findings, inadmissible, results
- investigationinvestigation, detective, clue, case, suspect
- forensicsDNA, DNA analysis, fingerprints, forensics, criminalistics
- Crime Scenecrime scene, crime tape, yellow tape, police tape, chalk outline
trace evidenceeyewitness testimony
Evidence from direct observers
testimonial evidence · witness statement · oral testimony · direct evidence · confession