The application of imaging technologies in the detection of trace evidence in forensic medical investigation.
In a country notorious for violent crime, it seems that South African medico-legal laboratories make minimal application of technology in the death investigation process and little attention is given to trace evidence. Non-destructive, non-invasive, portable and cost-effective tools are required. This study was conducted at the Pretoria Medico-Legal Laboratory. The surface area of the bodies and clothing of victims of fatal interpersonal violence were examined using a torch, magnifying lamp, portable digital microscope and alternate light source to gauge their potential for trace evidence detection. Most studies apply these and similar tools to inert surfaces, with few focusing on their application to human skin. There was a statistically significant difference in the detection of many of the evidence types between the naked-eye observation of the pathologists and the technologies. The different imaging technologies were compared as to their cost, evidence detection ability and ease of use. The most common evidence types discovered on the bodies and clothing of victims of fatal interpersonal violence, as well as the propensity of each tool to detect these, was evaluated in order to devise the best option for incorporation into the Pretoria Medico-Legal Laboratory routine. The digital microscope performed best overall followed by the magnifying lamp, torch and the Polilight(®). This study aimed to justify the investment of more time, effort and funding into trace evidence recovery in the South African mortuary environment.
Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X323, Arcadia 0007, South Africa. Electronic address: jeaniusofthelamp@hotmail.com.
Jeannie
J
Cocks
Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X323, Arcadia 0007, South Africa.
Lorraine
L
du Toit-Prinsloo
Department of Statistics, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, South Africa.
Francois
F
Steffens
Department of Forensic Medicine, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X323, Arcadia 0007, South Africa.
Gert
G
Saayman
D012634:Bodily Secretions; D001826:Body Fluids; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005898:Glass; D006197:Hair; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D008853:Microscopy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010150:Paint; D010944:Plants; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011902:Rape; D012987:Soil; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000473:pathology*
D012987:Soil
Alternate light source; Evidence detection; Forensic medical investigation; Imaging technology; Trace evidence