ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 July 1978
Page Count: 8

Identification of Suitable Plaster for Crime-Scene Casting
Wolcott, JH
Chief, Hypobaric Research Chamber, Division of Aerospace Pathology, Forensic Sciences Department, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, D.C.

Vandiver, JV
Fellow, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Alabama

(Received 24 March 1977; accepted 12 December 1977)

Abstract

Over the years police literature has generally recommended plaster of Paris [1] or dental plaster [2] to make casts at crime scenes. Even extremely unsophisticated testing indicates that different types of plaster vary considerably in tensile strength, hardness, and setting times under similar environmental conditions. Test studies indicate that plaster of Paris and dental plaster are the least suitable materials for police use because they are the least resistant to breakage and abrasion [3].

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Paper ID: JFS10713J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS10713J
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