Use of Cyanoacrylate on Vehicles
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Bob, Holly, Barbara (DPD)
Use of Cyanoacrylate on Vehicles
Recentlly we have been asked to Super Glue numerous vehicles on high profile cases in Denver. We have been discussing the potential of any possible liabilities for physical damage to the computerized engine or audio components of the vehicle, or for physical injury to future occupants in the vehicle from reactivated fumes, etc. Does anyone have any specific knowledge about these situations or have developed any CYA procedures to address them? Or is it something we shouldn't worry about?!! Thanks.
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Bill
- Posts: 69
- Joined: Sun Jul 03, 2005 10:54 pm
- Location: Manassas, VA
Superglue on vehicles
One could suggest to the owners to consult with their insurance carrier.
Also, some jurisdictions have Victim's Services Units that assist people with certain selected expenses.
I have heard of people getting upset with the police for processing their windows, doors, bedroom dressers and jewelry boxes with fingerprint powder.
One would think they would appreciate the effort that goes into solving a crime.
Bill
Also, some jurisdictions have Victim's Services Units that assist people with certain selected expenses.
I have heard of people getting upset with the police for processing their windows, doors, bedroom dressers and jewelry boxes with fingerprint powder.
One would think they would appreciate the effort that goes into solving a crime.
Bill
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Stephanie Howard
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Wed Jul 06, 2005 8:49 am
- Location: Ontario, Canada
Re: Use of Cyanoacrylate on Vehicles
BHB
In my experience of processing vehicles (or any other expensive item for that matter), CYA procedures are a good idea and can be your salvation when that $30,000 bill arrives from the owner after their insurance company has rejected their claim because they didn't clear it through them first.
Even though we are more concerned with the case exam, it is still advisable that your dept has some kind of policy, be it a waiver of liability, signed either by your submitter and/or the vehicle owner stating that some processing techniques may cause irrepairable damage to the item. With more expensive vehicles, you can expect that CA will more than likely damage or destroy intricate technology.
As far as the health issues, that should be a no brainer. if you've ever seen the inside of a vehicle under ALS after CA and R6G processing, you wouldn't want to get in that vehicle again..ever! So ensure your CYA procedures address that.
SH
In my experience of processing vehicles (or any other expensive item for that matter), CYA procedures are a good idea and can be your salvation when that $30,000 bill arrives from the owner after their insurance company has rejected their claim because they didn't clear it through them first.
Even though we are more concerned with the case exam, it is still advisable that your dept has some kind of policy, be it a waiver of liability, signed either by your submitter and/or the vehicle owner stating that some processing techniques may cause irrepairable damage to the item. With more expensive vehicles, you can expect that CA will more than likely damage or destroy intricate technology.
As far as the health issues, that should be a no brainer. if you've ever seen the inside of a vehicle under ALS after CA and R6G processing, you wouldn't want to get in that vehicle again..ever! So ensure your CYA procedures address that.
SH
Bob, Holly, Barbara (DPD) wrote:Recentlly we have been asked to Super Glue numerous vehicles on high profile cases in Denver. We have been discussing the potential of any possible liabilities for physical damage to the computerized engine or audio components of the vehicle, or for physical injury to future occupants in the vehicle from reactivated fumes, etc. Does anyone have any specific knowledge about these situations or have developed any CYA procedures to address them? Or is it something we shouldn't worry about?!! Thanks.
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Pat Wertheim
When an officer asks a latent print examiner in my lab to superglue a vehicle, we advise the officer the process will possibly total out the car. Only after the officer himself acknowledges that he understands the possible worst-case scenario involving damage to the vehicle, and still repeats his request, do we go ahead with the fuming. If you are still in doubt, make reference in your notes to the conversation, to the investigator's understanding of the potential for damage, and to his request in spite of the potential damage. That throws it back to the needs of the investigation rather than the choice of the fingerprint examiner.
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Lloyd Paul Brannon
CA in vehicles
In agreement, CA fuming can be very effective on a major case involving a motor vehicle, interior or exterior.
Agreeing too, that the vehicle owners insurance companies will do what ever they can to not own up to their responsibility. Consideration should be given to the owner, who now may be victimized again, by the insurance company (that is a whole different soap box).
When I have been faced with the option or necessity of fuming a vehicle, and I have advised the departmental administrator (of the investigating agency) of the potential of the department/agency, buying the car as the processing has effects on the glass, uphostry and electronic componets has a potential for destroying them. A smart administrator will consult with the prosecuting agency and then they make the decission of the bottom line: cost of the investigation or value to the case.
In most cases where the vehicle contained part of the crime scene. our prosecuting county attorney's won't release the vehicle until after the case has been ajudicated and any appeals have been cleared. Then the claim can go to the county and city for prorating the costs, if they do make such a claim.
Good luck!
Agreeing too, that the vehicle owners insurance companies will do what ever they can to not own up to their responsibility. Consideration should be given to the owner, who now may be victimized again, by the insurance company (that is a whole different soap box).
When I have been faced with the option or necessity of fuming a vehicle, and I have advised the departmental administrator (of the investigating agency) of the potential of the department/agency, buying the car as the processing has effects on the glass, uphostry and electronic componets has a potential for destroying them. A smart administrator will consult with the prosecuting agency and then they make the decission of the bottom line: cost of the investigation or value to the case.
In most cases where the vehicle contained part of the crime scene. our prosecuting county attorney's won't release the vehicle until after the case has been ajudicated and any appeals have been cleared. Then the claim can go to the county and city for prorating the costs, if they do make such a claim.
Good luck!
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Norberto Rivera
- Posts: 33
- Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2005 7:10 am
- Location: Griffin, GA
- Contact:
Thankfully I don't run into the need to fume the interior of a vehicle very often. When I do it's usually accompanied by a search warrant, which tends to cover my butt when it's accompanied by the processing request from the investigator. In those cases it's usually a perp's car so I'm just so heartbroken to superglue it it almost makes me cry. NOT. 
Aside from that we tend to refrain from fuming the interior of victim's vehicles unless there are extreme circumstances associated with the case. If the need to fume a victim's vehicle should arise I have to say I agree with using the liability waiver form prior to processing. The perp can just try and sue the DA"s office if he wants to, but I am covered by departmental policy.
Aside from that we tend to refrain from fuming the interior of victim's vehicles unless there are extreme circumstances associated with the case. If the need to fume a victim's vehicle should arise I have to say I agree with using the liability waiver form prior to processing. The perp can just try and sue the DA"s office if he wants to, but I am covered by departmental policy."We're all here 'cuz we ain't all there!"
"How long a minute is depends on what side of the bathroom door you're standing on."
"How long a minute is depends on what side of the bathroom door you're standing on."
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John Olenik
CA in Vehicles
After reading several responses, and agreeing with the potential for damage to the interior of a vehicle, I feel I have to clarify some misinformation. First when properly fuming a vehicle, you should not damage the inside. Fuming should fix the prints so that they are preserved and then captured by either fingerprint powdering, magnetic powder, or photography with special lighting techniques. I have found that many agencies over fume their evidence or vehicles, looking for dense white ridges, and as a result, coat the background with cured cyanoacrylate. That brings me to another point. Cured cyanoacrylate is nothing more than an inert form of plastic, and not any more hazardous than any other plastic. After saying this, if you decide to dye stain with Rhodamine 6G, after fuming, then you will definately contaminate the inside of the vehicle.
This is why my Super Glue workshops are still popular and well received.
If you have any questions please contact me through my website, www.detectoprint.com
This is why my Super Glue workshops are still popular and well received.
If you have any questions please contact me through my website, www.detectoprint.com