Evidence and Investigation

At the evidence and investigation field trip I learned about different ways  to solve a crime. You can use, fingerprint analysis, chromatography analysis, graphology/handwriting analysis,  fibre/hair analysis, soil analysis and animal walking and running tracks.

Fingerprint Analysis
At this station we looked at fingerprints, there are 4 main fingerprint types: whorl, arch, loop and composite. To uncover who's fingerprint it was in the crime scene we used graphite powder to uncover the fingerprint, then we put tape on it to make it clear. After we discovered what the fingerprint in the crime scene was, we looked at the fingerprint samples of all the possible suspects. We then chose a fingerprint that matched the one in the crime scene. A fingerprint is an example of hard evidence because everyone has a different fingerprint.

Chromatography Analysis
At this station we  were testing the different colors of ink. First we put the paper with the ink in a chromatography solution to make the ink bleed, this made it easier to identify the color of the ink. After looking at all the ink samples we matched it with the color of ink the note in the crime scene was written with.

Graphology/Handwriting Analysis
At this station we used graphology analysis to match the handwriting in the note with one of the suspects handwriting. We looked at different things like the slant of the letters, special details in the writing, and the style of writing to help us figure out who wrote the note in the crime scene.

Fibre/Hair Analysis
At this station we looked at different fibre and hair samples of the suspects through a microscope. We recorded down important details so we could match the samples to the fibre and hair found in the crime scene.

Soil Analysis
At this station we looked at different soils that were in or on  the suspects shoes. We wrote down what each soil from each shoe was like (the texture, color, content, etc.) We then looked at the crime scene sample and  figured out what suspect sample it matched.

Animal Walking and Running Tracks
At this station we looked at animal tracks that were found in the crime scene. We revealed that the animal that left the tracks was a cat. We could also see if the animal was walking, running, or standing still by looking at the spacing of the footprints.

Footprint Analysis
At this station we looked at the shoe prints of all the possible suspects so we could match them to the footprints in the crime scene. We drew and wrote about all the suspects shoe prints so it would be easier to identify them.

Who Did It?
Finally after doing all the analysis we came to a conclusion that Anna was the final suspect. We know because she was the suspect for the fingerprint, fibre, hair, and soil analysis.