ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 October 1986
Page Count: 16

Sheet or Container?—Forensic Glass Comparisons with an Emphasis on Source Classification
Ryland, SG
Microanalyst, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Orlando Regional Crime Laboratory, FL

(Received 5 December 1985; accepted 3 February 1986)

Abstract

The value of source-type classification for small fragments of glass encountered in trace evidence casework is restressed. The incorporation of classification techniques into the classical refractive index/density comparison scheme is described. The techniques employed are applications of those developed by the British forensic science community over the past 5 years, targeted at differentiating the 2 most common end-use types of soda-lime-silicate glasses encountered in casework—sheet glass and container glass. The results of method verification studies on 30 window glass specimens for tempered/nontempered classification and on 140 window and container glass specimens for sheet/container classification are reported. Although some limitations were revealed with the domestic samples used, the overall success of the approach was established.

Keywords:
forensic science, glass, trace evidence, glass classification, sheet glass, container glass, tempered glass

Paper ID: JFS11909J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS11909J
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