EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH AS THE BASIS FOR DEVELOPING A METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING TRACE FORMATION MECHANISM

The article examines feasibility of conducting a series of experiments, results of which will serve as the basis for developing a method for establishing the mechanism of formation of plant origin stains on articles of clothing. Based on the analysis of special literature, the author introduces arguments for the need to develop such a methodology. In the course of experimental research, with the help of extras, circumstances of clothing contact with vegetation cover at various sites which can occur while crime commission have been simulated. The obtained data which will become the basis for creating a methodology for establishing a mechanism of grass layers’ formation on articles of clothing is obtained. A flowchart of dependence of the mechanism of stains formation on properties, states of interacting objects and nature of contact has been developed. During investigation of the mechanism of stains formation similar to grass stains, a multidisciplinary forensic trace evidence and botany forensic analyses should be initiated. After receiving research objects and materials review, the Expert Commission conducts external examination of provided physical evidence. For this purpose, clothes are laid out one by one on a laboratory bench, each item is described separately and photographed according to the rules of forensic photography. The next stage is the study by a forensic botanist of identified layers of plant origin in order to establish their nature. Then a trace evidence examiner conducts forensic trace evidence analysis of identified layers of grass stains. Based on the analysis of the complex of identified features and properties shown in the flowchart, the Expert Commission formulates the synthesizing part of the conclusion according to which the conclusion as to the mechanism of trace formation is drawn.