Trace Evidence

Glass

Where windows are broken during a burglary or as a result of criminal damage or where glass objects are broken during an assault, it is possible that minute fragments of glass are transferred onto the skin, hair or clothing of anybody close by. These fragments can be recovered and compared by physical and chemical tests.

Paint & Particulates

Minute fragments of paint, plastics or other materials may be recovered from clothing or tools used during the commission of a crime. These fragments can be examined and compared with controlled samples from the scene.

Hairs

Physical contact between people may result in body hair being transferred. Hairs may also be recovered from a crime scene. Recovered hair can be compared using microscopy. Where root and sheath material is recovered, these can be subjected to DNA profiling and then compared to a reference sample from a suspect. Hair examination may also provide information about racial origin.

Fibres

Physical contact between people may result in fibres being transferred from the clothing of one person to another. Fibres from clothing may also have been left at a crime scene. Fibres are identified and compared using microscopy and chemical analysis.

Toolmarks

This examination involves testing marks and impressions for a physical fit, defects, damage or manufacturing marks or damage. These are then compared to marks left at a crime scene or on a recovered item.

Drugs

Drugs can take many forms including vegetation, tablets, granules, capsules, vials, paper tabs or powders. Chemical analysis can be used to identify drugs and to identify their purity. Other services include the investigation of cannabis cultivation, the viability of the set-up and to provide an estimate of likely yield.

Fire Investigation

Fire investigation involves establishing where, when and how a fire may have started. Analytical chemistry can be used to examine samples from a fire scene for the presence of flammable liquids and examination of heating and/or electrical appliances can help establish the cause of a fire.

Toxicology

As part of our toxicology services, we provide an analytical service to determine the proportion of alcohol in the blood, urine or drink samples. We can also provide calculations and assessments relating to drinking patterns and changes in blood, breath and urine alcohol levels over time.

Footwear

Footwear analysis has the potential to link an item of footwear to a crime scene or to a mark on a victim’s skin. The expert comparison of scene marks with control marks made by footwear removed from a suspect can uniquely link or eliminate a suspect.

DNA

Our DNA profiling can be undertaken within the very latest and best equipped labs at various locations around the UK. DNA evidence can provide intelligence and evidential information. The use of sensitive and highly-discriminating profiling techniques allow for DNA profiles to be obtained from minute DNA-bearing sources.