Date: February 3, 2014
School: Southside High School
Facilitator: Henrietta Jones
2.05 Can This Evidence Be Individualized?
Evidence 1:
A piece of torn clothing was found at a crime scene. A torn t-shirt was found in one of the suspect’s car.
1. Can the torn clothing from the crime scene be individualized to the t-shirt found in the car? Why or why not?
Yes. Because it could be individual evidence
small glass fragments large glass fragment
Evidence 2:
Small pieces of glass were found in a suspect’s shirt pocket of a breaking and entering crime. In this crime, the burglar broke a window to enter the home.
2. Are the pieces of small glass considered class or individual evidence? Explain.
Class evidence because it cannot be pieced back together.
3. What if the pieces of glass were large pieces that could be pieced back together in the window, would it be considered class or individual evidence? Explain.
Individual evidence, because it can be pieced back together and linked to the object.
Evidence 3:
A bank robbery turned up a threatening hand written note. A suspect that worked at the bank had a similar notepad on his desk.
4. Could the handwriting be considered class or individual evidence? Explain.
Individual because the handwriting can be traced.
5. What about the notepad?
Class because anyone can have a notepad with a lily on it.
6. How might the notepad be individualized to the ransom note?
If the remaining paper has the same ransom impressions on it.
Evidence 4:
A local newspaper was found at a crime scene but it was missing Section B. A Section B was found in the home of a suspect.
7. Is Section B individual or class evidence? Explain.
Class because anyone can have that section of the newspaper.
Evidence 5: Duct tape was used on a victim in a homicide case. A roll of the same brand of duct tape was found in a suspect’s car.
8. Could this piece