ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The term “trace evidence” is generally thought of as any type of evidence occurring in sizes so small that it can be transferred or exchanged between two surfaces without being noticed.  Trace evidence materials can be transferred from one person or item or location to another during the commission of a crime. This department identifies and compares different types of trace materials and shares the result of these findings. Investigators can then potentially link individuals to a mutual location through trace evidence. 

SUBMISSION EXAMPLES 

• Fire debris and accelerants

• Gunshot residue stubs

• Hair (Human and Animal)

• Fibres (Natural and Synthetic)

• Paint

• Soil

• Glass

• Fabric or clothing with suspected trace material

ANALYTICAL SCOPE

• Examination of evidence to determine if and how much gunshot residue is present

• Examination of evidence to determine if an accelerant is present

• Examination of evidence to determine if the submitted fragments or materials share similar characteristics as a known sample or material

• Examination of evidence to determine if a particular trace material is present

INSTRUMENTATION

The Trace Evidence Department uses a variety of instrumental and analytical techniques inclusive of

• Presumptive Color Tests

• Field Test Kits

• Light Microscope 

• Comparison Microscope

• Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometer (SEM-EDS)

• Polarized Light Microscopy (PLM)

• Gas Chromatography/ Flame Ionisation Detector (GC/FID)

• Gas Chromatography/ Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS)

• Solid Phase Microextraction Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS)