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Evidence from Glass Examinations
Glass analysis is one technique employed by forensic experts to identify trace evidence that may link a suspect to a crime or a crime scene. Glass analysis entails examining the nature of the fragments or the entire fractured pane. Usually, the glass fragments are used to identify the density and other specific characteristics of the glass. In contrast, the entire fragmented pane is used to establish the direction of force and sequence of impact.
When a forensic examiner analyzes a fractured windowpane, they will gather information on a projectile’s direction as it went through the glass (Girard 114-115). The direction can be established by identifying patterns in the radial fractures in the glass pane’s first concentric ring. The direction of a rapidly moving projectile, such as a bullet, can be determined by the exit hole size relative to the entrance hole at the point of impact. The exit hole is usually wider. However, for a slow-moving projectile, such as a hand-held hammer, a crime scene technician will use the residue’s texture on the pane to identify the side of the pane that is faced on the outside. They can also use the conchoidal fractures to establish the direction of the projectile (Girard 115). The conchoidal fractures often align at right angles with the side of the glass opposite the direction of the force.
By measuring the density of a glass fragment, the forensic examiner can gather information about the glass’s physical properties. The knowledge of the type of physical properties of the glass, such as its refractive index, density, and luster, can be used to prove or disprove the involvement of a person who made contact with the crime scene (118-119). This is because very tiny glass fragments can jump into the suspects’ hair or clothes, which may, in turn, be compared with the fragments collected from the crime scene to establish any links with the crime. For example, the galls fragments from a hit-and-run car accident can generate clues about the type of car that caused the accident.
Work Cited
Girard, James E. Criminalistics: Forensic Science, Crime, and Terrorism. Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2017.