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Insights from the Insights from the New Hampshire State Police New Hampshire State Police

Forensic LaboratoryForensic Laboratory

Timothy J. Pifer, M.S.Timothy J. Pifer, M.S.Laboratory DirectorLaboratory DirectorNHSP Forensic LaboratoryNHSP Forensic Laboratory

Fact or Fiction??

Forensic Laboratory OrganizationForensic Laboratory Organization

Colonel Robert QuinnDirector - NHSP

Criminalistics Group Toxicology Group

Forensic Lab DirectorTimothy Pifer, M.S.

Forensic Laboratory OrganizationForensic Laboratory Organization

CriminalisticsGroup

Controlled Drugs Serology/DNA Firearms &

Toolmarks TraceDigital

Evidence & Photography

Identification

Quality Assurance/

Control

Forensic Laboratory OrganizationForensic Laboratory Organization

ToxicologyGroup

Blood Toxicology

UrineToxicology

BreathAlcohol

Quality Assurance/Control

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50 Forensic Laboratory Personnel50 Forensic Laboratory Personnel

♦♦ 15 Toxicologists15 Toxicologists♦♦ 8 Drug/Trace Chemists8 Drug/Trace Chemists♦♦ 6 Serology/DNA Analysts6 Serology/DNA Analysts♦♦ 7 Identification Examiners7 Identification Examiners

•• 2 Firearms/2 Firearms/ToolmarkToolmark ExaminersExaminers♦♦ 1 Photo Laboratory Criminalist1 Photo Laboratory Criminalist♦♦ 2 Forensic Computer Specialists2 Forensic Computer Specialists♦♦ 3 Administrative Assistants + 3 Evidence Techs3 Administrative Assistants + 3 Evidence Techs♦♦ 2 Forensic Toxicologists2 Forensic Toxicologists♦♦ 2 QA Managers + 1 Laboratory Director2 QA Managers + 1 Laboratory Director

Laboratory Casework

Discipline 2009Controlled Drugs 6,544

Serology/DNA 730

Fingerprints 582

Firearms 78

Trace/Arson/Other 326

Video/Photo 27

Computer Crime 27

Blood Toxicology 2,765

Urine Toxicology 21,842

Inspected and Re-accredited in 2009 in the following disciplines:

Controlled Drugs Fingerprints

Digital Evidence Forensic Biology

Firearms & Toolmarks Trace Analyses

Toxicology

Drug LaboratoryDrug Laboratory

Marijuana (Cannabis) ExhibitsMarijuana (Cannabis) Exhibits Cocaine

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PharmaceuticalsPharmaceuticals

Clandestine Laboratory Crime ScenesClandestine Laboratory Crime Scenes

Toxicology GroupToxicology Group

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Breath Alcohol UnitBreath Alcohol Unit

Maintain and Certify PBTs

Portable Breath Testing

Deploy and Train Law Enforcement Repair Units in Field

Ninhydrin Processing

DNA DNA Deoxyribonucleic acidDeoxyribonucleic acid

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Body Fluid TestingBody Fluid TestingAlternate Light SourceAlternate Light Source

In the LabIn the LabSemen, Vaginal Fluid, Saliva, UrineSemen, Vaginal Fluid, Saliva, Urine

Perkin-Elmer 310 Genetic AnalyzerCODISCODIS

Combined DNA Index SystemCombined DNA Index System

♦♦National database consisting of DNA National database consisting of DNA profiles of convicted offendersprofiles of convicted offenders

♦♦State of N.H. database is linked to the State of N.H. database is linked to the National databaseNational database

♦♦Profiles from nonProfiles from non--suspect cases are suspect cases are entered into the database for comparisonentered into the database for comparison

Digital Evidence Unit Digital Evidence Unit Photography UnitPhotography Unit

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Trace Evidence UnitTrace Evidence Unit

ArsonArsonExplosivesExplosives

Paints/PlasticsPaints/PlasticsFibers/HairsFibers/Hairs

Questioned DocumentsQuestioned Documents

MicrospectrophotometerScanning Electron Microscope with X-ray analyzer

Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS) Video Spectral Comparator

Physically Examine and Physically Examine and Chemically Analyze Paint Chemically Analyze Paint Evidence for Comparison Evidence for Comparison and Chemical IDand Chemical ID

Five-layer Paint Chip Viewed by SEM

Examine fibers, fabrics and fabric marks evidence for Examine fibers, fabrics and fabric marks evidence for Physical Comparison and Chemical IDPhysical Comparison and Chemical ID

Examine and analyze hair samples for Physical Examine and analyze hair samples for Physical Comparison and Chemical IDComparison and Chemical ID

Hairs and Fibers EvidenceHairs and Fibers Evidence

Examine lamps and Examine lamps and lamp filaments for lamp filaments for function and function and ““onon”” or or ““offoff”” condition at condition at impact/breakageimpact/breakage

Firearms/Ballistics

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Examination AreaExamination Area

Reference Library

Test FiringTest Firing

To ensure function and obtain known standards To ensure function and obtain known standards for comparison with evidencefor comparison with evidence

Known StandardsKnown Standards

Lands and Grooves in barrel bore

RiflingRifling Discharged BulletsDischarged Bullets

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Bullet ID Using Striae Made by RiflingBullet ID Using Striae Made by Rifling

PhotomicrographPhotomicrograph PhotomicrographPhotomicrograph

Cartridge Case ID Using Breech Face MarksCartridge Case ID Using Breech Face Marks

Integrated Ballistics Identification SystemIntegrated Ballistics Identification System

NATIONAL SEARCH CAPABILITIES

Routinely Searches NH, VT, MA, ME, RI

aka NIBIN

Distance Determination TestingDistance Determination Testing

Restoration of Obliterated Restoration of Obliterated Serial NumbersSerial Numbers

ObliteratedObliteratedVIN VIN

RestoredRestoredVIN VIN

Restoration of Obliterated Restoration of Obliterated Serial NumbersSerial Numbers

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Where is Toolmark Where is Toolmark Evidence Found?Evidence Found?

Point of entry Point of entry Doors Doors WindowsWindows

Target areas Target areas SafesSafesLocked drawers Locked drawers Cut wires or fencingCut wires or fencingChains and padlocksChains and padlocksSlashed tiresSlashed tires

Collection of Collection of ToolmarksToolmarks

Submit item bearing toolmark Submit item bearing toolmark whenever possiblewhenever possible

Cut out area of toolmarkCut out area of toolmarkClearly indicate cuts you madeClearly indicate cuts you made (e.g. (e.g. fencing, chain, wire)fencing, chain, wire)

Cast toolmarks on larger itemsCast toolmarks on larger itemsDoor frame, window sillDoor frame, window sillPhotograph the toolmark in its original Photograph the toolmark in its original locationlocation

Methodology

Study how toolmark was made

Make test mark with tool in same manner as questioned mark

View with Comparison Microscope

ACE-V

Individual Characteristics Individual Characteristics from Manufacturefrom Manufacture

Individual Characteristics Individual Characteristics from Wearfrom Wear

UseUse AbuseAbuse Types of Physical Types of Physical Matches include:Matches include:

Torn edge matchTorn edge matchCut edge matchCut edge matchFracture matchFracture matchPaint or glue removal Paint or glue removal patternpatternWear pattern patch Wear pattern patch from photographfrom photograph

Physical Match EvidencePhysical Match Evidence

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Physical Match EvidencePhysical Match Evidence

Surfaces may beSurfaces may be: :

-- MetalMetal-- PlasticPlastic-- WoodWood-- GlassGlass-- FabricFabric-- PaperPaper-- TapeTape-- etc...etc...

Examples may beExamples may be::

Broken knife blade Broken knife blade with handle with handle Large paint chips Large paint chips Broken vehicle Broken vehicle headlamp assembly headlamp assembly Ripped duct tape Ripped duct tape Broken window glass Broken window glass Torn plastic bagTorn plastic bagCut paperCut paper

22--D Physical MatchD Physical Match

33--DDPhysicalPhysicalFractureFractureMatchMatch

Recent NAS ReportRecent NAS Report Contact InformationContact Information

NHSP Forensic Lab 603NHSP Forensic Lab 603--271271--35733573NHSP Toxicology LabNHSP Toxicology Lab 603603--271271--46684668timothy.pifer@dos.nh.govtimothy.pifer@dos.nh.gov

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Thank you….and have a great day!