Toolmark Identification and Its Essential Tangible and Intangible Tools

Toolmark identification is one of the integral procedures used in forensic sciences. You’ll need both tangible and intangible tools to succeed in toolmark identification. Mastering the nuances of this critical forensic technique is a long and arduous journey but it’s a road leading to invaluable rewards, especially when you take into consideration that toolmark identication can help save innocent lives.

What’s Toolmark Identification?
Toolmark identification is the process of identifying tools on the bases of toolmarks or the impressions made on its own and other surfaces and occurring due to its use. Toolmarks are evaluated according to observable class and individual characteristics. Pliers may be eliminated as a possible tool used in a given situation if the toolmarks do not resemble the common shapes of toolmarks created by pliers. As for individual characteristics, one would take note, for instance, of the frequency of use and age of the tools and other highly noticeable characteristics like missing teeth and ragged or uneven edges.

Intangible Tools Used in Toolmark Identification
When the word ‘tool’ is used, most people think of an ordinary instrument or device used for aiding in the accomplishment of a particular and usually physical task. But that’s not the only definition for tool. Tools, according to Princeton University’s Wordnet, may also be any implement used in the practice of a vocation. If toolmark identification is as essential part of your vocation, you will need the following intangible tools to succeed:

Patience – Without patience, you might end up quitting too soon or convicting the wrong person. Toolmark identification is often a tedious process and painstaking care is needed when studying each and every aspect of toolmarks. Getting a match could cause a chain of effects to take place so you need to be fully sure of your analyses before declaring any match.

Knowledge and Familiarity – You should be highly familiar with all types of tools. These will help you identify tools more easily and allow you to proceed directly with looking for the owner of tools found in the crime scene. If ballistic experts must at least know the difference between a pistol and a shotgun, you must of course study to know the basic differences between hammers and saws.

Analysis – Having substantial analytical skills will also go a long way in helping you succeed with your goals in toolmark identification. Being able to size up a situation and reconstruct events will help you form the chain of events leading to the crime committed and revealing answers regarding the identity of the wrongdoer and his motives.

Truth – It is effortlessly easy at times to let ourselves be swayed by our emotions. If a suspect displays a vile attitude, we would have an easier time reshaping the truth until it matches your opinions and send the suspect to jail. But secrets always have a way of coming out the least you expect it so if you want everything to be smooth-sailing, it’s better to stick with the truth.

Tangible Tools Used in Toolmark Identification

Comparison Microscopes – Also known as forensic microscopes, these are used for searching matches between two images. Matches may be used as criminal evidence against a suspect. Images may contain toolmarks found on the crime scene and those found on the origins of the tool deemed responsible for the toolmarks.

Comparison microscopes make use of two and separate optical systems. They are connected to each other with a bridge and allow a person to view both images at the same time, making it easier for the person to look for distinct comparisons. Comparison microscopes may also have be trinocular or have a third port for a second person to use for viewing or for the user to attach an eyepiece camera.

Database – This is highly important in the fields of forensic science. A database is a collection of data of various formats and used to search for possible links. You can run a search on a database, for instance, to search for possible matches between toolmarks find in your crime scene and other crime scenes in the past. For databases to produce effective and efficient results, all data must be keyed in correctly and fully. All possible tags must be included when describing a body of data.

Trigger Pull Tests – These tests are used for determining the amount of force required to discharge a firearm. With these tests, you’ll find it easier to determine, for instance, if a woman of slight build would be able to pull the trigger of a certain type of gun without much trouble. Read the entire article