ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Page Count: 11

Casting, Another Means of Identification
McGraw, AC
Detective, crime scene technician, Orange County Sheriff's Office, Forensic Section, FL

(Received 7 October 1983; accepted 10 January 1984)

Abstract

Casting with plaster and silicone is an invaluable tool in identifying victims as well as perpetrators of a crime. Plaster is used for making foot, shoe, and tire impressions. It is excellent for casting bite marks and wounds. Plaster is ideal for making positive impressions of the fingers and palms of deceased persons who are so badly decomposed that inked impressions cannot be made. Silicone is used for casting toolmarks, and to make negative impressions of fingers and palms of deceased persons. It is also outstanding for lifting latent prints from doorknobs, bottle-necks, and other odd shaped items where it would be impossible to use tape without wrinkling, thereby, destroying the print.

Keywords:
criminalistics, castings, plaster, impressions, alginate, decomposed fingers and palms, bite marks, silicone, latent prints

Paper ID: JFS11791J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS11791J
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