Objects bearing tool marks should either be submitted intact to the crime lab or a ___________ should be taken of the tool mark.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When objects bear tool marks, the best options are either to submit them intact to the crime lab or take a cast or impression of the tool mark, so that a three-dimensional replica can be studied in detail. This allows for better comparison and analysis of the tool mark, which can help in the identification of the tool and the suspect. Photographs, both black and white and digital, may also be taken as additional documentation, but they are not as reliable as casts or impressions in terms of capturing the fine details of the tool mark. Film photography is no longer a common practice, especially in forensic investigations, due to the advances in digital technology.

Objects Bearing Tool Marks Should Either Be Submitted Intact to the Crime