Particulates & other traces
Sub-specialties: Paint, Glass, Fibres, Firearm discharge
residues, Explosives residues, Chemical traces & stains,
Lachrymators, Lubricants, Plant material, Fire debris,
Pollutants
The classic contact trace materials are fibres,
glass and paint. The forensic process covers the recovery of such
materials, comparison with samples related to an incident by
optical and chemical analysis, evaluation of the results and
presentation of these, with conclusions, in a form suitable for a
court of law.
The range of other materials includes explosives traces, gunshot
residues, soils, plant material, plastic, building materials,
sexual lubricants, security dyes and various types of noxious
liquids. 0n the register some of these are grouped together where
they require similar types of examination.
Trace specialists have general knowledge of the range of
properties expected in the specific material and detailed knowledge
of the transfer potential of each. A specialist will often be
registered within one or more subspecialties in this wide
field.
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