Why Is Physical Evidence Important

Physical evidence is extremely important in solving crimes; especially where there are no witnesses to the crime and the victim is deceased of the whereabouts of the victim are unknown. There are various types of evidence that can be collected from a crime scene; the evidence is dependent on the physical evidence that can be collected at the particular crime scene. Basically, evidence that is collected on a crime scene is deemed valuable for the purpose of investigation. From the crime scene the evidence collected may include biological evidence which entails the bloody finger prints implying that blood was shed. Latent print evidence also found in that the finger prints which were obtained were bloody. There were also footwear and
Bullets and casings can also be examined at the crime lab and sometimes tell an investigator what make and model of weapons may have expended the casing or bullet. A bullet found at the crime scene can sometimes be matched back to the same lot of ammunition found in a suspect's possession. Tool marks can be positively matched to a tool in the suspect's possession. Firearm safety is a must at any crime scene. If a firearm must be moved at a crime scene, never move it by placing a pencil in the barrel or inside the trigger guard. Not only is this unsafe, but it could damage potential evidence. The firearm should be packaged in an envelope or paper bag separately from the ammunition and/or magazine. The ammunition and/or magazine should be placed in a paper envelope or bag. It is important that the ammunition found in the gun be submitted to the crime lab. Any boxes of similar ammunition found in a suspect's possession should also be placed in a paper container and sent to the crime lab. Casings and/or bullets found at the crime scene should be packaged separately and placed in paper envelopes or small cardboard