Pacific Northwest Division IAI
Summer 2015
The Examiner
From the desk of PNWD-IAI’s President:
Jim Luthy 2015-2016
I’m all about that interaction boss!
Seahawk fans in the Northwest might recognize that statement, since
it was borrowed (okay stolen) from running back Marshawn Lynch.
By definition, being part of an association is all about interaction.
The inherent value of the PNWD-IAI is that we are joined together to
interact, helping each other improve in our profession and to ensure
the quality of work that is being done in our respective fields.
The value of interaction is information. As Tenprint Examiners interact with one another, they
learn to improve processes. As Crime Scene Investigators interact with one another, they learn
to troubleshoot unique adversities and sharpen their skills.
It is also important that our interaction crosses functional areas. How much more effective can a
Crime Scene Investigator be when they know what the Criminalist needs for effective footwear
comparisons? How valuable is it for a Tenprint Examiner to know what a Latent Print Examiner
needs to ensure the latent print hits the arrest record in AFIS? Such is the value of the Pacific
Northwest Division of the IAI. There is mutual benefit in joining together.
As I look across the membership of our Division, it appears to me that there is a field that is
vastly under-represented in our membership – Crime Scene Investigators. There are only so
many Tenprint and Latent Print Examiners in the Northwest, and most are, or have been, associated with our Division. However, there are hundreds of officers, detectives, and evidence technicians across our region who have never heard of us, let alone benefitted from our association.
I believe the CSI could benefit from interaction with the Forensic Scientists, Latent Print Examiners, and Tenprint Examiners who comprise most of our membership. Likewise, I think the rest
of us could gain from their involvement. Your Board of Officers and Directors agree, and we
are making a push to shed light on the value of that association and invite those CSIs to get
connected.
The 2016 PNWD-IAI Annual Training Conference will be held June 7-10 at the Tulalip Resort
and Casino, about 40 miles north of Seattle. A partnership with the Washington State Patrol
Crime Laboratory will allow us to fold several crime scene related workshops into the conference, and local law enforcement agencies are being made aware of the opportunity. I applaud
the Board for their boldness and vision to book such a stylish venue and incorporate significant
changes to cast a wider net for our membership.
Of course, this cannot be done at the expense of our tradition of great training and association
for our fingerprint experts around the division. This creates a unique challenge for our conference organizers, but all signs indicate they are up to the task.
So mark your calendars for June 7-10, 2016. Make sure your boss is aware of the dates and
your desire to attend. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates. Like and retweet to get
the word out. A new and improved PNWD-IAI is on the move!
Pacific Northwest Division IAI
Summer 2015
Introducing our 2015/2016 Board Of Directors
Jim Luthy
President
Sherrie Wraspir
Past President
Tom Jones
1st Vice President
Cheri Mahar
2nd Vice President
Anita Hicklin
Secretary
Theresa Wood
Treasurer
Alan Christensen
Sergeant-at-Arms
Deneen Flowers
Board Member
Don Ledbetter
Board Member
Walker Berg
Board Member
Megan Anderson
Board Member
Mark Scairpon
Board Member
Rachel Hughes
Board Member
(Washington State Patrol)
(King County Regional AFIS)
(Oregon State Police)
(King County Regional AFIS)
(formerly Seattle Police Department)
(Washington State Patrol)
(King County Regional AFIS)
(King County Regional AFIS)
(Seattle Police Department)
(Portland, OR Police Bureau)
(Salem, OR Police Department)
(King County Regional AFIS)
(King County Regional AFIS)
Pacific Northwest Division IAI
Summer 2015
Welcome New PNWD-IAI Board Members
2015 - 2016
Cheri Mahar has been with King County Regional
AFIS (KCRA) for 18 years, working in Jail ID, Tenprint, and 12 years as an LPE. Cheri has attended the
FBI academy in Quantico, Virginia 4 times. At the
academy she learned aspects of latent prints including: Latent Print Photography, Crime Scene Photography, and Digital Imaging of Latent Print Evidence.
She spent 6 months in Iraq processing IEDs for fingerprint evidence and trained Counter IED contractors for the Army in proper evidence processing. She
trains officers and students on facets of fingerprint
evidence and has given a presentation about her Iraq
experience at the PNWD-IAI conference in Walla
Walla. The last 4 years she has been learning all she
can about BBQing and meat smoking, making her
own bacon to share with family and friends.
Megan B. Anderson is a crime scene responder
and IAI Certified Latent Print Examiner with
the Salem Police Department. Ms. Anderson has
been processing crime scenes for more than thirteen years and comparing latent prints for over
eleven. She holds a BA in Anthropology from
the University of Iowa and an MS in Forensic
Archaeological Science from the University
College London in England. Ms. Anderson has
a spunky red-headed daughter and is an avid
traveler, most recently venturing to Iceland.
Pacific Northwest Division IAI
Summer 2015
Walker Berg has been a Portland Police Officer
for the past 11 years. Walker is currently Acting
Criminalist in the Forensic Evidence Division of
the Portland Police Bureau. In his spare time he
also coaches high school football at Cleveland
High School in Southeast Portland.
Rachel Hughes (soon to be Peterson) is a Certified
Tenprint Examiner for KCRA. Prior to joining KCRA
7 years ago, she spent a little over a year working as a
legal assistant for a public defense association. She
graduated Green River Community College with an
AA, an AAS in Forensic Technology, and a Fingerprint
Technology certificate, before transferring to Eastern
Washington University and getting her BA in Criminal
Justice, with minors in Government and Psychology.
She is a nationally ranked competitive fencer/instructor
and enjoys volunteering for an animal rescue.
Mark Scairpon began his law enforcement career as
a Police Officer with the City of Lake Forest Park in
2006, then in March of 2012 he joined KCRA as an
Identification Technician. Earlier this year he had
the opportunity to cross-train with the King County
Tenprint Examiner unit for several months. Mark
loves spending time with his two children, girlfriend, and family. He also enjoys backpacking,
electronics, and working on his motorcycle.
Pacific Northwest Division IAI
Summer 2015
2015 PNWD - IAI Conference in
Portland, Oregon
Looks like a wonderful time was had by all!
Thank you Attendees, Presenters,
and PNWD-IAI Members!
Pacific Northwest Division IAI
Summer 2015
Identification of a Second Suspect via Stomach Contents at Autopsy
Lisa Pope
Forensic Analyst, Eugene Police Department, Forensic Evidence Unit,
Eugene, Oregon, USA
Abstract
A case report describing the examination of stomach contents at the autopsy of a robber, who was shot and killed during the commission of his crime, which led to the identification of the second and outstanding robber. During autopsy, digested stomach contents gave the attending forensic analyst information regarding a possible location of
two robbery suspects prior to committing their crime. This information led the analyst
to a Wendy’s fast food restaurant near the vicinity of the crime and video analysis from
the restaurant’s surveillance system provided investigators with the face of a known
criminal they could identify.
Keywords: Autopsy, stomach contents, gastric contents, digestion rate, crime scene reconstruction, forensic science
Introduction
Attention to detail plays an important role in crime scene reconstruction. Although long
hours and aching bodies are usually synonymous with working major crime scenes,
crime scene analysts must remain alert and attentive until their reconstruction, processing, and analysis is complete. This case study discusses how a nearly undigested
french fry located within the stomach contents of a deceased robbery suspect led to the
identification of his accomplice through video surveillance at a local fast food restaurant. The composition of the meal, the volume of the meal, as well as the individual
foodstuffs that comprise the meal have an affect on digestion rate. Less dense and less
fibrous foods may begin to digest almost immediately; where more dense and fibrous
foods take longer to break down. The volume of the foodstuffs ingested and how well
they are broken apart prior to ingestion also affect digestion time. The physical breakdown of the foodstuffs is accomplished through mastication (chewing), the more thorough the mastication process, the more rapid the digestion. The typical gastric transit
time of an “average” meal is estimated around two to three hours [1, 2].
Case Background
On November 24, 2010 at 10:00pm in Eugene, Oregon, two armed subjects held up a
Dutch Brothers coffee kiosk. Only one of the subjects approached the barista. The
known subject was armed when he demanded and received money from the barista. He
then demanded the barista to turn around, place his hands on the back of his head, and
close his eyes. The barista, fearing for his life, drew his own firearm, resulting in an exchange of gun fire and the death of the known suspect. As the barista was unarming
the downed and deceased suspect, a second subject appeared, causing an additional exchange of gun fire. According to the barista, this second outstanding subject fled the
scene on foot.
Pacific Northwest Division IAI
Summer 2015
Case Information and Investigation
The deceased subject was located on the back porch of the Dutch Brothers kiosk,
with his feet lying just inside the open door frame. Lifesaving attempts had been
made by responding medics; therefore the body had been moved prior to the crime
scene analysts’ arrival. The subject was wearing dark clothing which included multiple
layers of shirts and jackets, and a brimmed stocking cap which had a possible bullet
hole through the brim. A hood of one of the outer jackets was pulled up over the
brimmed stocking cap. The subject was also wearing gloves, a backpack, and a handkerchief around his neck. He had a holster attached to his belt and hidden under the
front part of his pants.
The subject’s shirts were cut during lifesaving attempts by responding medics. There
was at least one bullet wound to his chest. The subject’s eyes were open, and there
was red brown staining on his shirt, gloved right hand, and on the paper money lying
around and near his left and right hands. There was also purged fluid and particulate
matter around the subject’s nose and mouth.
Fired bullets and bullet holes were located inside the kiosk and on the back porch
next to the body. The bullet holes inside the kiosk were most likely from exchange
of gunfire between the barista and the deceased subject. When the barista realized
a second subject was present, he began to raise his weapon while firing. Two 9mm
Luger and nine .40 caliber S&W cartridge cases were recovered from inside the kiosk
and the back porch. Forensic analysts discovered that the surveillance system at the
coffee stand had not been working for quite some time and other nearby surveillance
cameras did not have footage that showed the incident. The lead crime scene analyst
attended the autopsy of the deceased the following day. The medical examiner was
to determine the six bullet paths through the body and recover any bullet or other
evidence inside the body. Examining gastric contents at autopsy can provide valuable
information. A medical examiner can estimate the time of death, and time of last
meal, based on the appearance of the digesting food.
During this particular autopsy, examination of the stomach contents by the medical
examiner revealed pieces of ground beef, pieces of cheese, and half inch long pieces
of bacon. The medical examiner identified these stomach contents as a bacon
cheeseburger. He also noticed that the meal appeared to contain partially digested
french fries. It was noted by the forensic analyst that one of the french fries was
fairly undigested and appeared nearly whole, and asked to take a closer look. At the
request of the forensic analyst, the medical examiner estimated the food was most
likely consumed within an hour of the robbery. Upon close examination, the forensic analyst realized the partially digested fry appeared to be consistent with Wendy’s
Restaurant fast food french fries. She realized it was consistent with a Wendy’s french
fry because at that time they were thicker than the other fast food french fries in
the vicinity of the crime scene. The forensic analyst knew there were fast food restaurants within city blocks of the crime scene and the one nearest the Dutch Brothers kiosk was a Wendy’s Restaurant. The forensic analyst immediately notified detectives and recommended that they contact the Wendy’s regarding surveillance footage.
Pacific Northwest Division IAI
Summer 2015
Detectives found that the footage from the restaurant clearly contained images of
both robbery suspects. The footage showed the first suspect trying on his mask,
which was a handkerchief around his neck that he was using to cover his face. This
footage was used to identify his accomplice and led to the second subject’s arrest.
Conclusion
This case is a good example of why attention to detail and placing evidence in context
is an important quality of a crime scene analyst. Though many may have felt that the
partially digested stomach contents of a subject had little probative value, by associating this with the known facts of the case, the area in which the crime was committed
and the scene as a whole, the forensic analyst was able to associate it to a specific
Wendy’s restaurant product. In this case, a bacon cheeseburger and fries were located
in the stomach contents of the deceased. Furthermore, the death was sudden and unexpected versus prolonged and stressful, therefore an undigested french fry located
inside the gastric contents of the deceased was consistent with a consumption time
within an hour prior to death [1]. This information aided in the development of logical investigative leads and direction by reconstructing the likely sequence of events
made by the perpetrators in preparation for committing the crime. This resulted in
valuable video evidence showing the identity of the second outstanding suspect being
retrieved by law enforcement. Using the totality of information and the crime scene
analyst’s forensic expertise, a reconstruction of events can be completed, improving
the chances of solving crimes and successfully prosecuting criminals.
Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank Dr. Dan Davis, the Medical Examiner for the Eugene
Medical Examiner’s Office, and Jason Petersen, the Forensic Laboratory Supervisor
of the Eugene Police Department.
References
[1] Saukko P, Knight B. Knight’s Forensic Pathology. 3rd ed. New York (NY): Oxford
University Press; 2004.
[2] DiMaio V, DiMaio, D. Forensic Pathology.
2nd ed. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press; 2001.
Copyright: © 2012 Lisa Pope. Copyright for this article is retained by the author, with
publication rights granted to the Association for Crime Scene Reconstruction. This is
an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivatives License
by-ncnd/3.0/) which permits unrestricted noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction, provided the original work is properly cited and not changed in any way.
PACIFIC NORTHWEST DIVISION
INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR IDENTIFICATION
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL
I hereby submit renewal of my membership in the Pacific Northwest Division – International
Association for Identification.
Annual Member Dues: $25.00 Student: $12.50
ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP is for individuals actively engaged as an examiner , analyst, pr actitioner , or super visor in the for ensic sciences.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP is fo r in dividu als w ho lly o r par tially en gaged in fo r en sic scien ces w ho ar e n o t qu alified
for Active Membership. Associate Members are subject to the same rules, fees, and charges, and are entitled to all rights and privileges
of Active membership, with the exception that they are not entitled to election to any Association office.
STUDENT MEMBERSHIP is fo r fu ll tim e co llege students majoring in a law enforcement and/or forensic related field. Applicants must include a current transcript from their college certifying they are taking at least 12 semester/equivalent quarter credits for
undergraduate study or at least 9 semester/equivalent quarter credits for graduate study applicants.
TYPE OF MEMBERSHIP RENEWING:
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Membership Renewal Form pg 2
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Pay by credit card (credit card information will not be retained):
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PACIFIC NORTHWEST DIVISION – IAI, Treasurer
Lorene Moore
34th Ave SW / Seattle, WA 98126
(206) 979-6848 cell (206) 205-7898 fax
Email: member [email protected] g
Membership Renewal Dues:
$__________
Please accept my donation to the PNWD-IAI Scholarship fund in the amount of:
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TOTAL:
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*PLEASE NOTE New Email Address For Membership!*
PNWD-IAI Membership renewal deadline is March 31,2016!
Please submit your renewal by this date to avoid interruption of your
member benefits. Thank you for your continued support!
Pacific Northwest Division IAI
Summer 2015
Interested in getting your 2016
membership for FREE?
The board of directors has established a trial
membership incentive.
Here’s how it works:
♦ Sponsor 5 new members from today until
December 31, 2015, by filling out the sponsor
blank on their new member application.
♦ Keep track of how many members you sponsor.
♦ After you have sponsored 5 new members, notify
Lorene Moore at [email protected] .
She will verify that you have sponsored 5 new
members in the allotted time period.
♦ Your membership for the 2016 calendar year will
then be FREE! You will not have to pay your dues.
The membership incentive will start over for the
2016 calendar year. Sponsor 5 new members from
January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016, and your 2017
dues will be FREE!
Who doesn’t LOVE
FREE??
Pacific Northwest Division IAI
Summer 2015
Pacific Northwest Division IAI
Summer 2015
Be sure to check us out!
Like and/or Retweet us at:
www.facebook.com/pnwdiai
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Pacific Northwest Division IAI
Employment Opportunity
Summer 2015
Pacific Northwest Division IAI
Employment Opportunity cont.
Summer 2015
Pacific Northwest Division IAI
Employment Opportunity cont.
Summer 2015
Pacific Northwest Division IAI
Summer 2015
Training
The 10th Annual Tri-Division Educational Conference
will be held November 3 - 6, 2015
at the Regional Public Safety Training Center
in Reno, Nevada.
The host hotel, Grand Sierra Resort Hotel & Casino,
has provided a terrific discounted room rate of $59.00 a night
(resort fee included, tax not included).
A great program has been put together filled with workshops,
lectures and high profile case studies.
To view the conference program outline and to register
please visit the
Nevada State Division of IAI website - www.nsdiai.net
Pacific Northwest Division IAI
Summer 2015
Training Continued
There are other training brochures and
information on our website at
www.pnwdiai.org under the training tab!
Marvelous opportunities such as:
Modern Techniques in Forensic Art
Baltimore City Police Department Crime Laboratory, Baltimore, MD
September 28 - October 1, 2015
Understanding Exclusion & Sufficiency Decisions
Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center, Burien, WA
October 12 - 16, 2015
Comparison of Plantar Friction Ridge Impressions
Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center, Burien, WA
October 19 - 20, 2015
Pacific Northwest Division IAI
Summer 2015
MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR:
Welcome new Officers and Board Members!
Looks like the 2015 PNWD - IAI Conference in Portland, Oregon was a huge success!
Be sure to save the dates of June 7-10, 2016 for our next conference at the Tulalip Resort
and Casino near Marysville, Washington. Along with all those great classes, workshops,
and seminars, you may just hit it big on the slots or table games!
As always, please let me know if there is anything you would like to see in the Examiner!
I am always looking for interesting things to share with the rest of the membership! The
past couple of newsletters have included interesting articles submitted by members and I
totally appreciate the input. Since the newsletter is about and for the membership, I will
always accept any ideas or suggestions on how the newsletter is put together.
Check out the store on our Website for 50th Anniversary Merchandise!!!
http://www.pnwdiai.org/
Pamela Lyne, Identification Technician
King County Regional AFIS Identification Program
516 Third Avenue, Room 1A04
Seattle, Washington 98104-2312
(206) 447-6168
[email protected]
FOR MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT:
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DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in articles contained in this publication do not necessarily represent the views of the Pacific Northwest
Division of the International Association for Identification. The Association neither guarantees, warrants, nor endorses these views or techniques but offers these articles as information to the membership. Some articles may contain descriptions of processes utilizing chemicals or
combinations of chemicals that may be hazardous to the user's health. It is strongly recommended that proper precautions be taken when using
known hazardous chemicals or a combination thereof. The Association assumes no responsibility for the use of chemicals or combinations
thereof as set forth in any article.