Description
Trace evidence refers to materials transferred between people, objects, or the environment during a crime. This evidence can help investigators develop leads, indicating (or excluding) potential suspects or locations for further scrutiny. Trace evidence encompasses a wide range of natural and manufactured materials.
Traditional trace evidence includes:
- Glass
- Fibers
- Tape
- Paints, dyes, and pigments
- Gunshot residue
- Ignitable liquids
- Explosives
- Geological (minerals and soils)
- Pollen
Read more about trace evidence.
On this page, find links to articles, awards, events, publications, and multimedia related to trace evidence.
Awards
Publications and Grant Reports
- National Institute of Justice Forensic Science Strategic Research Plan, 2022-2026 (Version 1.1)
- Flashforward: The Current and Future Applications of Vibrational Spectroscopy for Forensic Purposes
- Assessing the Strength of Trace Evidence Fracture Fits through a Comprehensive, Systematic and Quantifiable Approach