NCJ Number
211160
Journal
Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 55 Issue: 5 Dated: September/October 2005 Pages: 624-632
Date Published
September 2005
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This study demonstrated the indirect matching of vehicle parts using brush strokes of a polymer sealant.
Abstract
In follow-up to a stolen, abandoned Mazda chassis that was discovered by the Israeli Police in a field where it had been cut into pieces with a grinder, and the suspect subsequently arrested with one chassis part in his possession, the authors of this study were asked to compare the part found in the suspect's possession with the abandoned vehicle chassis. However, no conclusive match was made. The cutting or grinding process of the parts resulted in a removal of material, creating a missing area between the parts preventing a direct physical match. This study attempted to demonstrate the indirect matching of vehicle parts. The brush strokes or striations of a polymer sealant which was applied during the manufacturing of the vehicle were sufficient to match the vehicle parts, despite the gap in the material. It was demonstrated that each time the brush was raised from the car during the application process, the location and position of the bristles changed, causing a unique configuration in the sequence of striations. The conclusion drawn was that the parts found in the field and the part found in the suspect’s possession were from the same car. Figures, references