Trace evidence

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Trace evidence occurs when objects make contact, and material is transferred. This type of evidence is usually not visible to the naked eye and requires specific tools and techniques to be located and obtained.^[1] Due to this, trace evidence is often overlooked, and investigators must be trained to detect it.^[1] When it comes to an investigation trace evidence can come in many different forms and is found in a wide variety of cases.^[2] This evidence can link a victim to suspects and a victim or suspect to the crime scene.^[1]

There are three general categories in which forensic science uses trace evidence. It can be used for investigative aids, associative evidence, and in-scene reconstructions.^[3] In terms of investigative aids, trace evidence can provide information to determine the origin of a sample and determine the manufacture date of the material, all of which can limit potential suspects in a case.^[3] Associative evidence can associate with or link victims or suspects to a crime scene. For reconstructions, trace evidence can provide information to understand how a crime occurred or the events that occurred before the crime.^[3]