CLPEX Chat Board

So, I'm reviving a post from Boyd back in 2009 in the Documentation section of this BB.

I'm wondering how different agencies go about naming evidence, given that there can be a many to one relationship between latents and evidence.

So, for instance, two latents lifted off the same item could be described in the following manner


Item# - Lab# - Designator - Description - Source
LE001 - LPC1 - A - Lift Card - Door Knob
LE001 - LPC1 - B - Lift Card - Door Knob
What about digital images? Do you replace the lab# with the filename of the image?

Just curious.

thanks,

Boyd

I also am curious how digital images of latent prints are labeled/handled? Anyone care to share their procedures or insight in to how it can be done?

Thanks!

At our agency, whoever develops the prints has to submit a "Latent Print Log", which details where each lift was recovered from and leaves room for the LPE to make their notes. Each lift is numbered with the initials of the developer and a number (such as AB1, AB2, AB3, etc.) Then the LPE examines each lift or digital image and marks those prints that might be useful with a second designator, chosen by where the lift came from, scene, lab or vehicle (such as S1, S2, etc. or L1 if from the lab or V1 from a vehicle blah blah blah).

MOST of the time, the developer tries to take their pictures so that only one latent shows up per image. When this does not happen, the examiner cannot "mark" the images physically but instead we "cut" the latent out of the copy of the original image and then save it with the new title being the marker. So: one image with three latents would turn into three pictures with new titles of S1, S2 and S3. We also print up a contact sheet with the images and these are what we sign when an identification is made.

Hope this helps (and also hope it makes sense!).

Sandra

Hi,

We try to keep it simple. The evidence all is submitted under the DR or file number. Then we give each set of latent prints or evidence item associated with that file number a unique identifier generated by the case management system (in essence a receipt number that is unique to that evidence).

Each latent print card has all identifying info (name of person lifting, date, loc lifted, description of lift location and a small sketch). Each card has a number, i.e., 1 of 3, 2 of 3, 3 of 3.

When we analyze the prints during the comparison process, the analysty puts his/her initials on each card. Every card must be analyzed; the initials signify this. Then each print that is compared is marked with a letter. So card 1 of 3 that has 2 comparison quality prints would be 1A and 1B. Card 2 of 3 would be 2A and 2B, etc. That's how the results are reported. Our manual specifically states that any print that is not marked as comparison quality is assumed to be of no value for comparison purposes, however, it is often mentioned in the notes as well.

Hope that helps.

For digital images of latent impressions, we will print out all of the images (to be included in our notes) and label the images A, B, C,... If there are more than 26 images, the lettering starts over at AA, BB, CC,... Then, we draw an arch over all suitable latent impressions in the images. The purpose of arch is to signify suitability and to show our best guess as to orientation, since it is placed above a latent impression in what we believe is the "up" direction. The suitable latent impressions are then labeled 1, 2, 3...

Our reports then refer to the suitable latent impressions as A1, A2, B1, etc., from the Item number of the CD/DVD.

We are ASCLD/LAB ISO accredited, so such a format is approved by them.

We have some flexibility in labeling the submitted lifts. Usually, it's just giving each a unique number or letter.
Digital photos have unique file names that consist of the Case Number-Item Number-Image Number. We take the photos tethered to the computer, enter in the Case Number and Item Number and the software assigns the Image Number.
Digital images of lifts are named with Case Number-Item Number-Lift Number-Image Number .