CLPEX Chat Board

Thread rescued due to popular demand. 8)

I worked a case that involved a burglary of a business. The only evidence that was submitted was a piece of paper bearing photocopied hands. Curious as to why this was the only item submitted for examinations, I called the officer to find out more information. As it turns out, the guy who burglarized the business decided to have some fun and photocopy his hands while there. Unfortunately for him, he left the photocopy at the business and he was identified!

This one just happened the other day.

A LPE gets a call to court for negative testimony. After testifying for about 20 minutes the defense starts up and asks his series of questions dealing with the life and times of a latent print. The defense attorney then gets permission to approach the LPE and walks up pulling a pair of gloves from his pocket. He states "here I have a pair of latex gloves----oops sorry they are nitrile". He then proceeds to put the gloves on and walks up to the witness and with deliberate action (so the jury can see) presses his gloved finger about 5 times in rapid succession in front of the LPE, steps back, and then with more flourish strips the glove from his hand and with caviler action tosses it to the center table where the evidence is. He backs up and then looks at the witness and with a smile on his face asks the LPE; "So tell me Ms SDS where is the latent print"?

The LPE after a brief pause turns to the jury and says in a confident voice "If the conditions are right it is inside that glove"!

The smile the defense attorney had quickly melts into nothing, he abbruptly turns around goes back to his chair and states "No more questions your honor".

The prosecution states no more questions and the witness is released.

Rule 1 "If you do not know the answer, do not ask the question"
Rule 2 "If you are not going to like the answer, don't ask the question"

Have a nice weekend.

Rule 1 "If you do not know the answer, do not ask the question"
Rule 2 "If you are not going to like the answer, don't ask the question"

Charles I wonder just how many cases proceed to trial ill prepared ?

Any Stats ?

Any Guess's ?

It is paramount that any decent defence team should interview all witness's before citation and trial and any failure to do so will amount to "Defective Representation"

Is such an appeal allowed in these cases

Charles I wonder just how many cases proceed to trial ill prepared ?

That I suppose would depend upon your definition of ill prepared!

Any Stats ?

Nope----I do not track that kind of thing.

Any Guess's ?

Nope----Any guess of mine would be just a "Guess"

It is paramount that any decent defence team should interview all witness's before citation and trial and any failure to do so will amount to "Defective Representation"

A very honorable personal statement!

Is such an appeal allowed in these cases

That would be a question that an attorney would have to answer!

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