NCJ Number
233764
Journal
Identification Canada Volume: 27 Issue: 3 Dated: December 2004 Pages: 1-40
Date Published
December 2004
Length
40 pages
Annotation
This issue's three featured articles address the use of forensic video analysis evidence in criminal prosecutions; pose and answer questions about Canada's National DNA Data Bank; and describe a case in which lip prints were obtained from white carpet tape by processing with gentian violent.
Abstract
The first article defines "forensic video analysis" as "the scientific examination, comparison, and evaluation of video in legal matters." The forensic video analyst identifies and testifies about the similarities and differences between the known and questioned images. A PowerPointTM presentation is an excellent format for presenting the comparison. The article concludes with brief summaries of Canadian court cases in which forensic video analysis has been admitted as evidence. Existing training courses in forensic video analysis currently available in Canada are briefly described. The second article reviews the features, objectives, and procedures of Canada's National DNA Data Bank. The National DNA Data Bank is an investigative tool that enables police to link crime scene features across jurisdiction and identify serial and repeat offenders. The Data Bank can also narrow the field of suspects by eliminating those suspects whose DNA does not match that found at the crime scene. The third article presents the facts of a case in which the alleged victim reported repeated physical assaults by the suspect, with whom she had been in an 8-year relationship that ended 1 year prior to the alleged assaults, which extended over a period of hours according to the victim. She reported her hands and mouth were taped with white carpet tape. The victim's lip prints were revealed on the tape using gentian violet, and the suspect's fingerprints were found in the victim's residence. This evidence helped corroborate the victim's account of the offense.