The Difference Between Preliminary Field and Laboratory Testing

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Week 3 – Assignment

The Difference Between Preliminary Field and Laboratory Testing

[WLOs: 1, 2, 4] [CLOs: 2, 3, 4, 5]

Handling and processing evidence is an integral component of crime scene management because it lays the foundation for everything the court must consider when weighing the admissibility of evidence. For the most part, the courts prefer testing being carried out in a laboratory setting. However, there are exceptions, such as times when an initial examination also yields valuable information. In this assignment, you will differentiate between testing that might be done on-scene versus in the laboratory, identify testing that might be subject to preliminary testing, as well as compare the different results yielded by preliminary field versus laboratory testing. Support your assignment with examples from this week’s required material(s) and/or a minimum of three other scholarly or credible resources and properly cite any references.

Prior to beginning work on this assignment, please review the following:

  • From the text:
    • Chapter 8: Pattern Evidence 1: General Patterns and Fingerprints
    • Chapter 9: Pattern Evidence 2: Firearms, Tool Marks and Document Analysis
  • From the free, downloadable resource at the web page Crime Scene Investigation Guide (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.:
    • Section D – Completing and Recording the Crime Scene Investigation
    • Section E – Crime Scene Equipment
  • The articles:
    • An Automated Approach to the Classification of Impact Spatter and Cast-Off Bloodstain Patterns
    • Chemical Enhancement of Footwear Impressions in Blood Recovered from Cotton using Alginate Casts
  • From the free PDF copy at the web page Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward (2009) (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.:
    • Section 10. Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems
    • Section 11. Homeland Security and Forensic Science
  • The video Forensic Science: Analysis of Drugs Using Colour Tests (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. shown above
  • From the video Bodies, Blood, and Ballistics: Forensics School, Part One:
    • Segment 2. Forensics: Blood Spatter 02:35
    • Segment 5. Blood Spatter and Trajectories 04:35
  • From the video Hands-On Police Work: Forensics School, Part Two:
    • Segment 3. Crime Scene Photography 02:27
    • Segment 6. How to Capture and Record Fingerprints 03:10
    • Segment 8. Crime Scene Documentation 03:18

You are also strongly encouraged to review the list of recommended resources, as they may assist you with this assignment.

In your paper, address the following:

  • Identify what types of evidence might be subjected to preliminary or field testing.
  • Describe at least two types of testing that might be done on scene.
  • Differentiate between why some evidence can and should be subjected to preliminary testing on scene, while other types should not.
  • Explain how the on-scene test compares to laboratory testing.
  • Compare and contrast the results yielded by preliminary field versus laboratory testing.
  • Compare and contrast the admissibility of on-scene versus laboratory testing at trial.

The Difference Between Preliminary Field and Laboratory Testing paper

  • Must be 750 words in length (not including title and references pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center’s APA Style (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..
  • Must include a separate title page with the following:
    • Title of paper
    • Student’s name
    • Course name and number
    • Instructor’s name
    • Date submitted
  • For further assistance with the formatting and the title page, refer to APA Formatting for Word 2013 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..
  • Must utilize academic voice. See the Academic Voice (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. resource for additional guidance.
  • Must include an introduction and conclusion paragraph. Your introduction paragraph needs to end with a clear thesis statement that indicates the purpose of your paper.
    • For assistance on writing Introductions & Conclusions (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. as well as Writing a Thesis Statement (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site., refer to the Ashford Writing Center resources.
  • Must use at least three scholarly, peer-reviewed, and/or credible sources in addition to the course text.
    • The Scholarly, Peer-Reviewed, and Other Credible Sources (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. table offers additional guidance on appropriate source types. If you have questions about whether a specific source is appropriate for this assignment, please contact your instructor. Your instructor has the final say about the appropriateness of a specific source for a particular assignment.
    • To assist you in completing the research required for this assignment, view this Ashford University Library Quick ‘n’ Dirty (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. tutorial, which introduces the Ashford University Library and the research process, and provides some library search tips.
  • Must document any information used from sources in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center’s Citing Within Your Paper (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. guide.
  • Must include a separate references page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. See the Formatting Your References List (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. resource in the Ashford Writing Center for specifications.

Consider using Q for your library research and to access writing supports, and tutoring services available to you. See the Guide to Installing and Using Q  (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. for more information.