Wood evidence : proper collection, documentation, and storage of wood evidence from a crime scene

Abstract

Wood can be found at crime scenes in many forms: as a murder weapon, as material used to hide a body, or as trace evidence from forced entry or vandalism. In the course of my work at the Forest Products Laboratory, Center for Wood Anatomy Research, I have been part of several forensic investigations that were adversely affected by inappropriate procedures used to collect, document, and store wood evidence. This did not result from carelessness on the part of crime-scene personnel, but rather from a general ignorance of what can, cannot, should, and should not be done with wood evidence. This article offers suggestions for maximizing the scientific and evidentiary potential of wood found at crime scenes.

Citation

Wiedenhoeft, Alex. 2006. Wood evidence : proper collection, documentation, and storage of wood evidence from a crime scene. Evidence technology magazine. Vol. 4, no. 3 (May/June 2006): pages 30-32, 36-37.