Marks/Impressions
Manlove Forensics has a team of scientists brought together from many different scientific backgrounds to form one of the countries leading mark enhancement capabilities. We have a vast experience at crime scene examination as well as laboratory examination of items, large and small. This broad range of expertise allows us to work on simple drugs packaging cases as well as complex murder cases. Often utlising our interpretive skills on how marks were made, especially if they are in a contaminant such as blood.
Fingerprints
At Manlove Forensics we have a highly experienced team of forensic scientists working on fingerprint identification, comparison and enhancement.
Probably the oldest of the forensic disciplines, fingerprints are still the only unique means of human identification in that the fingerprint detail required to identify crime scene marks could be from one person only and can be no one else. Members of the same family, even identical twins have different fingerprint detail.
At Manlove Forensics our fingerprint service is comprehensive offering you a range of service levels from scene to laboratory and review. Our experts have been asked to undertake reviews for the Criminal Cases Review Commission, in the Court of Appeal and many Crown and Magistrates' Court cases.
We provide a service unique to the independent provider in the enhancement and interpretation of fingerprints in blood. This challenging area is fraught with difficulties; our experts have many years of experience in interpreting such evidence and are fully aware of the dangers of over-interpretation.
We routinely compare and review the work of others, and take the case as a whole; if required we will assess the position of the fingerprint and its orientation, so as to give a full interpretation of how the fingerprint was placed down. We can take reference fingerprints from people with which you wish us to compare any marks we find or are reviewing and will offer you our opinion in a clear, concise report.
If you require items or exhibits to be examined for fingerprints, we offer an extensive range of both specialised light and chemical treatments to recover this evidence type using one of our highly skilled photographers.
Footwear
Footwear marks can be left at a crime scene or on an item in a contaminant such as mud or blood and an impression can be left in a soft substrate such as soil. Such footwear marks are recovered by forensic scientists using a variety of techniques from electrostatic lifting to casting. Specialised photography can also be invaluable to ensure that the finest detail of the mark is recorded.
From an examination of the footwear mark, the evidential significance can be assessed by considering the make, model and level of detail that is apparent to the examining forensic scientist. It can be possible to make an assessment of the size of shoe from the mark as well as in some cases establish the wearer of the shoe if it is in doubt.
Manlove Forensics' team of footwear examiners regularly provide advice and give evidence in relation to footwear mraks and impressions. Whether it is a simple pattern identification you require, review of another forensic scientist's work or a full comparison, we are able to offer a rapid response as we have access to one of the most comprehensive footwear databases in the country.
If it is collation of footwear evidence that you require, we can provide a bespoke service to build your own secure database and compile database hits of possible footwear matches.
Working within our secure laboratories we are able to provide assistance in cases that require marks enhancement, specialising in marks in skin on clothing made with force and marks made in blood. We also have a vast experience of different marks on the body in either the living or the deceased.
Marks enhancement
Since the early 1950s it has been recognised that on certain surfaces the detection of marks, be they fingerprint ridge detail or those from a foot or shoe, is more complex than simply using powders. For this reason, techniques have been developed by forensic scientists to enable other physical and chemical means to be used to enhance such marks.
At Manlove Forensics our forensic scientists have many years experience in the enhancement of marks and have a laboratory dedicated to this discipline.
Our scientists are highly trained in the use of an extensive range of specialised light and chemical treatments to enhance marks. All marks are assessed by the fingerprint or footwear scientist as appropriate prior to recording by one of our specialist photographers.
Our scientists are very familiar with the sequences of treatments required on different surfaces for marks enhancement and are able to treat items that are composed of more than one type of material to maximise evidence recovery.
One area in which our forensic scientists have a particular specialism is the development and interpretation of marks in blood or what appears to be blood, to enable where possible, an opinion to be provided as to how the fingerprint/footprint or shoeprint was placed down. Our scientists also integrate our chemical treatments with other forensic disciplines such as DNA sampling to maximise evidence recovery.
If you have an item that is too large to transport to our premises, we will take the team to the item, and recover the evidence on site.
Our laboratory is the only one of its kind in the UK providing an independent service.
Photography
Specialist Photography
Our specialist photographic services include the highest standard examination-quality photography of fingerprints, bloodstains, footwear marks and other marks for further analysis. Our expertise includes traditional and digital photography: we mostly use high resolution digital cameras but we can use any format of film if necessary. We can re-examine and reprint previously taken imagery, whether film-based or digital and, if necessary, apply image processing methods for enhancement or restoration, often revealing previously invisible or unclear details. All such work is carried out by highly experienced court reporting imaging specialists in line with the Home Office Digital Imaging Procedure 2007.
General Photography
We can carry out macro-photography and photomicrography of the smallest of items as well as general photography of larger items. We can produce high quality visual aids and albums, illustrating findings with a combination of photographic and other imagery and text.
Other Imaging Services
We can provide expert advice in many other areas of photographic and digital imaging. If you have any imaging related query, do not hesitate to get in touch.
Toolmarks
Under Construction
Tyre Marks
Under Construction
Engine number restoration
Under Construction
