In forensic science, there is nothing as important as accessing the right evidence in solving a particular crime. Of especial significance, although less recognized, is a species of physical evidence known as toolmarks. These slight markings, scratches, or depressions remaining on a surface may be the clue that will help match a tool employed in the commission of a crime to the culprit. Toolmark identification is a forensic science that involves studying these marks in order to establish the tools that made them and, therefore, a suspect to a crime scene. To do so, this blog post is going to explain what toolmark analysis is and how the science is beneficial towards criminal investigations.
What is Toolmark Analysis?
Toolmark comparison is the scientific study of marks made by tools on surfaces and objects. From burglaries, homicides, or assaults, the tools that were used normally impart some marks on materials that were handled. These marks can be observed on the door, lock, firearms and on the body of a victim.
Even two similar-looking screwdrivers are going to be different; all tools have their peculiarities, including those firearms, screwdrivers, hammers, and crowbars. In toolmark comparison, one is able to compare the impressions made on an object to those that are likely to have been made by a specific tool used in commission of a crime. This can aid in suspect apprehension, linking tools to a certain crime, invoking important proof that remains the exception in many cases where even fingerprints may not be available.
How Is Toolmark Analysis Employed?
Toolmark identification possesses a process, which involves inspection of tool features by forensic officers in different planes of tool impressions on divergent surfaces. The general process includes the following stages:
1. Collection of Evidence
Toolmark evidence is normally recovered from the scene of the crime, on the body of the victim or on objects such as tools of murder, broken windows, etc. Whenever possible, investigators take the potential toolmark evidence with a great deal of care so that they would not compromise or destroy the evidence. The most frequent types of material on which tool marks are found in wood, metals, glass and plastics.
2. Examination of the Marks
When toolmark evidence is gathered, forensics analyze the nature of the mark that was deposited by the tool left behind. Like every other form of carving, these marks may be as mild as scratch marks, grooves or deep indentations depending on the implement used and the surface being carved. Experts look for specific characteristics such as:
Striation marks: Straight, parallel lines, developed when a tool is drawn along the surface.
Impressions: More delineated, most of the time having considerable depth and being formed when an instrument makes an impact on a substrate.
Chipping or Cracking: Any surface that has been contacted by any of the instruments will definitely suffer some form of violence or the other.
3. Microscopic Analysis
Toolmark comparison is carried out with great assistance from the comparison microscope. This tool enables the forensic scientist to look at two surfaces simultaneously, that is, the toolmark of the scene of crime and tool of the laboratory. These are apparent, unvarying, and may comprise of lines, breaks or signs of wear which may correspond with a given implement.
4. Tool Comparison
If a suspect tool is available, then the forensic scientists will analyze the impression that it makes with that on the crime scene. Whenever investigators fail to recover the tool itself, they can match the size and shape of the mark with a specific kind of tool to get to the culprit.
5. Documentation and Reporting of Research Outcome
In conclusion, analysis is done, followed by documentation by forensic experts in writing after conclusion has been reached. The outcomes can assist the police officers to relate the suspect to the scene of the crime. Toolmark analysis is always done hand in hand with other forms of forensic examiner such as DNA or fingerprints so that an entire case is developed.
Use of Toolmark Identification
Toolmark analysis is utilized particularly in different criminal cases in order to obtain useful information. Here are some of its key applications:
1. Firearm and Ballistics Investigations
The application of toolmark analysis can be widely practiced in cases related to firearms. Firearm and Ballistics Investigations In shooting, every gun produces a distinctive mark on the shell or casing of the bullet and on the bullet. These are also known as ballistics and are exclusive to the specific weapon and can easily be matched to a scene of the crime or a victim. Toolmark identification is utilized where forensic scientists compare the striation produced by the firing pin and those made on the cartridges or slugs in a firearm to establish the specific firearm that was used in a shooting.
2. Burglary and Break-Ins
Every theft crime as related to burglary requires the analysis of the tools used in the commission of breaking into the property. For instance, crowbar or bars may leave peculiar scratches on doors, their frames, windows or locks. If these marks are discovered at a scene then it may be compared with implements possessed by suspects to determine participation.
3. Homicide Investigations
Tool mark can also be considered in homicide cases especially when the deceased has been bludgeoned using an object such as hammer, axe or blunt object. Forensic anthropologists can also tell what sort of tool was used to kill the victim by evaluating the marks made on his or her body or at the scene of the crime. This can serve to further eliminate any possible suspects.
4. Car Tampering and Car Destruction
Toolmarks are also used in cases of vehicle mischief or alteration. If a criminal tries to break into a car, say, they will dent the door frame or lock handle. These marks came in handy because they can be used to associate the suspect with the crime that was committed.
What is Toolmark Comparison Important?
Toolmark analysis is vital in criminal investigations for several reasons:
1. Linking Tools to Crimes
Firstly, toolmark analysis services is used because it has the advantage of identifying a tool practically to a particular crime. Tool marks are the impressions left on surfaces by tools that can be used socio-legal link to a suspect, or criminal to a crime scene which may not be discovered through other means.
2. Building Stronger Cases
When toolmark analysis is used together with other modes of forensic evidence, the former enhances a case. Like DNA, fingerprint, or ballistic, toolmark evidence can be another factor that would help to make the findings more convincing and put stronger evidence of a link between the suspect and the crime.
3. Uncovering New Leads
They assist in toolmark analysis in a way that new leads or completely new investigations can be initiated. Where the tool marks are identified in a crime scene, the investigators may be able to link that tool to the suspect even if other incidents failed to yield evidence of a crime.
Conclusion
Toolmark analysis services provide one of the most essential and relevant forms of analysis in forensics to associate tools with crimes. Most tools leave distinctive impressions on a surface and these impressions can be used by a forensic specialist to selectively point out a tool used in a crime and thus linking a suspect to the scene. Indeed, from firearms identification to burglaries and assault cases, toolmark analysis proves to be beneficial in many circumstances that can help get a case solved. In an environment where even a single piece of evidence can create significant problems the technique of «forensic shaping» is still an effective and relevant method in a legal investigation.
