WVSP Forensic Laboratory Field Manual Page 1 of 181 Approval Date

182 Pages·2015·5.08 MB·English

by  Calissa N. Carper

WVSP Forensic Laboratory Field Manual Page 1 of 181
Approval Date: 12/18/14 Effective Date: 6/2/15
Approved By: WVSP Quality Assurance Board Revision: 6/2/15

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West Virginia State Police Forensic
Laboratory Field Manual

1- GENERAL GUIDELINES __________________________________________________ 7
1.1 MISSION STATEMENT _____________________________________________________ 7
1.2 INTRODUCTION ___________________________________________________________ 8
1.3 CRITERIA FOR EVIDENCE SUBMISSION ___________________________________ 12
1.4 CONTACT INFORMATION ________________________________________________ 14
1.5 EVIDENCE SUBMISSION _________________________________________________ 14
1.5.1 General Guidelines _______________________________________________________________ 15
1.5.2 Evidence Seals ___________________________________________________________________ 18
1.5.3 Safety __________________________________________________________________________ 20
1.5.4 Labeling of Packaging Containers __________________________________________________ 21
1.6 SUBMISSION OF EVIDENCE _______________________________________________ 22
1.7 CHAIN-OF-CUSTODY _____________________________________________________ 24
1.8 METHODS OF SUBMITTING EVIDENCE ____________________________________ 24
1.8.1 US Mail, Private Carrier or Personal Delivery ________________________________________ 25
1.8.2 Vehicle Processing Garage _________________________________________________________ 25
1.9 CRIME SCENE ___________________________________________________________ 27
2- BIOCHEMISTRY ________________________________________________________ 27
2.1 GLOSSARY OF TERMS ____________________________________________________ 28
2.2 CASE ACCEPTANCE POLICY ______________________________________________ 29
2.3 EVIDENCE _______________________________________________________________ 30
2.4 DNA TESTING METHODS _________________________________________________ 37
2.5 BIOCHEMISTRY SECTION REPORTS ______________________________________ 39
2.6 CODIS ___________________________________________________________________ 40
3 - CENTRAL EVIDENCE PROCESSING______________________________________ 42
3.1 GLOSSARY OF TERMS ____________________________________________________ 43
3.2 CLEAN TECHNIQUE: _____________________________________________________ 45
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Approved By: WVSP Quality Assurance Board Revision: 6/2/15

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West Virginia State Police Forensic
Laboratory Field Manual

3.3 SAFETY __________________________________________________________________ 45
3.3.1 Potential Exposures ______________________________________________________________ 46
3.3.2 Importance of Avoiding Routine Exposures __________________________________________ 47
3.3.3 Basic Hygiene and Safety __________________________________________________________ 47
3.3.4 Personal Protective Equipment _____________________________________________________ 49
3.3.5 Hepatitis B Vaccinations __________________________________________________________ 52
3.4 EVIDENCE COLLECTION EQUIPMENT ____________________________________ 52
3.5 SEX CRIME KITS _________________________________________________________ 55
3.6 COLLECTION OF EVIDENCE ______________________________________________ 55
3.6.1 Collection Methods _______________________________________________________________ 56
3.6.2 Collection of Hairs _______________________________________________________________ 58
3.6.3 Known Reference Samples _________________________________________________________ 58
3.6.4 Packaging of Biological Material ____________________________________________________ 59
3.7 SUBMISSION OF BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE _________________________________ 61
3.8 PROCESSING SECTION REPORTS _________________________________________ 62
4 - DRUG IDENTIFICATION ________________________________________________ 65
4.1 COLLECTION OF EVIDENCE ______________________________________________ 66
4.1.1 Vegetation ______________________________________________________________________ 66
4.1.2 Tablets and Capsules _____________________________________________________________ 67
4.1.3 Powders ________________________________________________________________________ 68
4.1.4 Liquids _________________________________________________________________________ 68
4.1.5 Syringes ________________________________________________________________________ 68
4.1.6 Field Test Kits ___________________________________________________________________ 69
4.2 DRUG IDENTIFICATION REPORTS ________________________________________ 69
4.3 CLANDESTINE LABS _____________________________________________________ 69
4.4 CASE SUBMISSION FORMS _______________________________________________ 73
5 – FIREARMS/TOOLMARKS _______________________________________________ 73
5.1 EXAMINATIONS AND POSSIBLE DETERMINATIONS _______________________ 74
5.1.1 Firearms _______________________________________________________________________ 74
5.1.2 Toolmarks ______________________________________________________________________ 75
5.1.3 Vehicles ________________________________________________________________________ 76
5.1.4 Restoration of Serial Numbers _____________________________________________________ 76
5.1.5 Distance Determinations __________________________________________________________ 76
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Approval Date: 12/18/14 Effective Date: 6/2/15
Approved By: WVSP Quality Assurance Board Revision: 6/2/15

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West Virginia State Police Forensic
Laboratory Field Manual

5.1.6 Physical Matches _________________________________________________________________ 76
5.2 GLOSSARY OF TERMS ____________________________________________________ 77
5.3 RECOGNITION, COLLECTION, AND PACKAGING OF EVIDENCE ____________ 80
5.3.1 General Guidelines _______________________________________________________________ 80
5.3.2 Safety __________________________________________________________________________ 82
5.3.3 Handling of Firearm(s) ____________________________________________________________ 82
5.3.4 Fired Bullet(s) Recovery ___________________________________________________________ 84
5.3.5 Fired Cartridge Cases, Shot Pellets, and Wadding _____________________________________ 85
5.3.6 Tools and Toolmarks _____________________________________________________________ 87
5.3.7 Distance Determination ___________________________________________________________ 87
5.3.8 Restoration of Serial Numbers _____________________________________________________ 88
5.3.9 Molding and Castings of Evidence __________________________________________________ 89
5.4 SUBMISSION OF EVIDENCE _______________________________________________ 90
5.4.1 Evidence Packaging for Submission to the Laboratory _________________________________ 90
5.4.2 Firearms Evidence _______________________________________________________________ 91
5.4.3 Clothing Evidence ________________________________________________________________ 92
5.4.4 Tool Evidence ___________________________________________________________________ 92
5.4.5 Vehicle Evidence _________________________________________________________________ 92
5.5 FIREARM AND TOOLMARK REPORTS _____________________________________ 93
5.5.1 Firearm Reports _________________________________________________________________ 93
5.5.2 Toolmark Reports ________________________________________________________________ 94
5.6 IMPRESSION EVIDENCE ____________________________________________ 94
5.6.1 Impression Evidence at the Crime Scene ________________________________________ 95
5.6.2 Recording/Recovering Impression Evidence ______________________________________ 97
5.6.3 Impression Evidence Reports _______________________________________________ 109
5.7 DISPOSITION OF EVIDENCE _____________________________________________ 111
6 – LATENT PRINTS ______________________________________________________ 111
6.1 PRIMARY EXAMINATIONS PERFORMED _________________________________ 111
6.2 GLOSSARY OF TERMS ___________________________________________________ 112
6.3 COLLECTION OF EVIDENCE _____________________________________________ 115
6.3.1 Safety _________________________________________________________________________ 115
6.3.2 Equipment _____________________________________________________________________ 116
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Approved By: WVSP Quality Assurance Board Revision: 6/2/15

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West Virginia State Police Forensic
Laboratory Field Manual

6.3.3 Techniques for Developing Latent Prints ____________________________________________ 119
6.3.4 Packaging______________________________________________________________________ 123
6.4 SUBMISSION OF EVIDENCE ______________________________________________ 124
6.5 CLANDESTINE LABORATORIES __________________________________________ 125
6.6 AUTOMATED FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM (AFIS) ____________ 127
6.7 MAJOR CASE PRINTS ____________________________________________________ 129
6.8 THE LATENT PRINT SECTION REPORTS _________________________________ 130
6.9 DISPOSITION OF EVIDENCE _____________________________________________ 133
7- TOXICOLOGY _________________________________________________________ 134
7.1 GLOSSARY ______________________________________________________________ 135
7.2 CHEMICAL TESTS FOR INTOXICATION __________________________________ 136
7.2.1 Blood Alcohol Tests ________________________________________________________________ 136
7.2.2 Collecting and Handling of Samples __________________________________________________ 137
7.3 TOXICOLOGY SPECIMEN COLLECTION KITS ____________________________ 143
7.4 SAMPLE RETURN _______________________________________________________ 144
7.5 ILLEGAL LIQUOR _______________________________________________________ 144
8 - TRACE EVIDENCE _____________________________________________________ 146
8.1 EXAMINATIONS PERFORMED ___________________________________________ 146
8.2 CASE SUBMISSION AND ACCEPTANCE ___________________________________ 147
8.3 GLOSSARY OF TERMS ___________________________________________________ 148
8.4 GUNSHOT RESIDUE _____________________________________________________ 149
8.4.1 Instructions for the Collection, Packaging and Submission of Gunshot Residue (GSR) Samples _ 149
8.4.2 Gunshot Residue Results ___________________________________________________________ 154
8.5 PAINT COMPARISON ____________________________________________________ 156
8.5.1 Collection of paint samples __________________________________________________________ 157
8.5.2 Paint comparison results ___________________________________________________________ 161
8.6 GLASS COMPARISON ____________________________________________________ 162
8.6.1 Collection ________________________________________________________________________ 162
8.6.2 Glass Examination and Comparison Results ___________________________________ 164
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Approved By: WVSP Quality Assurance Board Revision: 6/2/15

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West Virginia State Police Forensic
Laboratory Field Manual

8.7 FIRE DEBRIS ANALYSIS _________________________________________________ 164
8.7.1 Collection _______________________________________________________________ 164
8.7.2 Results __________________________________________________________________________ 165
8.8 MISCELLANEOUS _______________________________________________________ 166
8.9 QUALITY CONTROL _______________________________________________ 168
8.10 ANALYSES NOT PERFORMED IN TRACE EVIDENCE _______________________ 168
9- QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS_____________________________________________ 169
9.1 EXAMINATIONS PERFORMED ___________________________________________ 170
9.2 COLLECTION OF EVIDENCE _________________________________________ 172
9.2.1 Safety _________________________________________________________________________ 172
9.2.2 Protection of Evidence ___________________________________________________________ 172
9.2.3 Desirable Known Standards ______________________________________________________ 173
9.2.4 Additional Information About Taking Known Standards ______________________________ 175
9.2.5 The London Business Letter ______________________________________________________ 175
SOURCES OF UNDICTATED WRITING* _________________________________________ 176
9.3 SUBMISSION OF EVIDENCE ______________________________________________ 177
9.4 EXPLANATION OF OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN A HANDWRITING CASE ______ 178
9.5 GLOSSARY OF TERMS ___________________________________________________ 178

REVISION HISTORY
1/22/14- GENERAL REVISION
1/1/15- GENERAL REVISION
METHAMPHETAMINE COLLECTION AND DESTRUCTION POLICY (SECTION 4.3)
DNA ACCEPTANCE POLICY (SECTION 2.2)
WVSP Forensic Laboratory Field Manual Page 6 of 181
Approval Date: 12/18/14 Effective Date: 6/2/15
Approved By: WVSP Quality Assurance Board Revision: 6/2/15

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West Virginia State Police Forensic
Laboratory Field Manual

1- GENERAL GUIDELINES
This manual bas been written to provide law enforcement agencies investigating criminal matters
within the State of West Virginia with an overview of forensic services offered by the West Virginia
State Police and to provide guidelines for collecting, documenting, preserving, and submitting physical
evidence to the West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory.
The value of properly collected physical evidence in a case cannot be underestimated. The credibility
and integrity of the evidence are in direct correlation with the proper handling of evidence from its
initial observance up to its presentation in court.
This manual has been revised to make it as current and up-to-date as possible; however it should be
noted that the techniques, procedures and capabilities contained herein may change in the future since
the field of forensic science is growing at a rapid rate. Law enforcement agencies are encouraged to
keep regular contact with the West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory to keep abreast of any
such changes.
1.1 MISSION STATEMENT

It is the mission of the West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory to provide accurate and
impartial scientific support services to the State Police and all other criminal justice agencies operating
in the State of West Virginia. Suggestions or comments for improvements to the West Virginia State
Police Forensic Laboratory are encouraged and can be submitted to the Laboratory Director by
completion of the laboratory Customer Survey form located on the WVSP website.

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Approved By: WVSP Quality Assurance Board Revision: 6/2/15

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West Virginia State Police Forensic
Laboratory Field Manual

1.2 INTRODUCTION

The West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory was created by the West Virginia Legislature in
1935 as technical support for law enforcement agencies involved in criminal matters. Under the
direction of Captain Charles W. Ray, the first laboratory was located in the basement of the Capitol. It
was eventually moved in 1971 to the current location at 725 Jefferson Road, South Charleston.
The West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory has been accredited since 1994 by the American
Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB). The purpose
of the accreditation process is an ongoing monitoring of laboratory operations to assure efficiency and
proficiency in laboratory functions.
The forensic laboratory is composed of several analytical sections and an evidence receiving section.
The analytical sections are comprised of trained analysts and examiners with each section managed by
a supervisor that reports directly to the director of the forensic laboratory. Analysts and examiners
conduct examinations on criminal evidence and prepare reports of their findings for the investigator. If
subpoenaed, the analysts and examiners will give testimony to their results in a court of law.
The following is a list of the WVSP Forensic Laboratory Sections and a brief description of the type of
forensic services provided.

Biochemistry Section
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West Virginia State Police Forensic
Laboratory Field Manual

This section performs the analysis of biological evidence for the presence of nuclear DNA. If a DNA
profile is developed, it will be compared to relevant DNA profiles and/or searched in the DNA
Database (NDIS). This Section also manages and administers the State’s CODIS database.
Central Evidence Processing Section
This section performs screening and preliminary processing of physical evidence for biological material
(e.g., blood, semen, saliva).
Drug ID Section
This section analyzes solid dose physical evidence to determine if a controlled substance is present and
analyzes evidence collected from suspected clandestine laboratory scenes to determine the
identification of chemicals and processes used to manufacture controlled substances. Quantitative
analysis will not be performed by the Drug ID Section.
Firearms/Toolmarks/Impression Evidence Section
This section screens and compares bullets and cartridge cases, determines the caliber of cartridge cases
and projectiles, performs distance determination tests, shooting reconstruction, and restoration of
obliterated markings. Toolmark analysis compares marks left on items of evidence to test marks from a
tool possibly used in a crime. This section also examines and compares footwear and tire track
impressions. Physical matches of any type of evidence except for paper are performed in this section.

Questioned Documents Section
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West Virginia State Police Forensic
Laboratory Field Manual

This section performs examinations and comparisons of questioned handwriting, hand printing, and
numerals to identify or eliminate known writers. Additional examinations conducted in this section
include alterations, obliterations and substitutions to documents, chemical and physical erasures,
indented impressions on paper, rubber stamp impressions, ink examinations, printed or typed
documents and photocopier comparisons. This section also conducts physical matches of paper.
Latent Prints Section
Latent print processing is the physical and chemical processing of evidentiary items to develop and
preserve friction ridge detail. Latent print comparison is the subsequent comparison of friction ridge
detail to an individual. AFIS and IAFIS databases which are composed of known fingerprint standards
are used for searching unknown latent prints.
Toxicology Section
This Section performs qualitative analysis of blood and urine for the presence of volatiles and drugs of
abuse. Quantitative analysis is performed on blood alcohol cases.
Trace Evidence Section
The section performs analysis in the areas of Gunshot Primer Residue (GSR), Fire Debris, Glass, and
Paint. In addition, Trace Evidence may perform some miscellaneous examinations, such as speed at
time of impact from speedometers and material identification.
For all types of examinations not offered by the WVSP Laboratory such as hair, fiber, poisons, soil,
explosive residues etc... The WVSP recommends the submission of evidence to an accredited
laboratory.
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Approval Date: 12/18/14 Effective Date: 6/2/15
Approved By: WVSP Quality Assurance Board Revision: 6/2/15

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