Evidence and Investigation

Graphite Powder from the fingerprinting station

At the fingerprinting analysis station, we learned that fingerprints can be very important when identifying suspects, as a fingerprint means that the suspect was in that room and touched that object. Investigators will use graphite powder to collect fingerprints off of objects. There are 4 main fingerprint types, arches, loops, whorls, and composite. 

The Chromatology Station

At the chromatology analysis station, we studied how they identify what pen wrote what by using chromatology solution to make the ink bleed up the paper. When the chromatology solution hit the ink, it separates the inks ingredients, causing it to bleed.

The note

At the Handwriting analysis station, we used tracing paper to identify who wrote what using tracing paper. You can either trace the underlining of the words, or the slant of the letters. We had to identify who wrote the ransom note.

At the Hair and Fibre Analysis station, we used microscopes to identify what hair or fibre belonged to who. We had to chart the different qualities of the fibre or hair. 

Footprints

At the soil and footprint analysis station, we examined the soil of the garden and the soil on the shoes of the suspects. There were 6 different soils to be examined, including the soil from the garden. We also had to compare the suspect's shoes with the tracks found at the scene. We also learned how to tell is an animal or a person is walking or running. 

At the end, we determined that Allister, who kidnapped his uncle and foraged the note so he could get 80% of the inheritance. Our results at the Fingerprint, Handwriting, Fibre, and Footprint stations comfirmed this.