FORENSIC TRACE EVIDENCE MATERIAL COLLECTION, ANALYSIS AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

• US 20180080855A1
• Filed: 09/06/2017
• Published: 03/22/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aardvark Forensics, LLC
• Original Assignee: Aardvark Forensics, LLC
• Inventors: TAYLOR, JAMES DAVID
• Granted Patent: US 10,145,762 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/0045 Devices for taking samples of body liquids devices for taking blood samples A61B5/15
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 101/00 Compositions of unspecified macromolecular compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 7/20 characterised by their carriers
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 7/21 Paper; Textile fabrics
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/02 Devices for withdrawing samples sampling of foundation soil E02D1/04; collecting or conveying radioactive samples G01T7/00, e.g. G01T7/02, G01T7/08
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 1/2813 Producing thin layers of samples on a substrate, e.g. smearing, spinning-on G01N1/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/007 Devices specially adapted for forensic samples, e.g. tamper-proofing, sample tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/027 field kits / quick test kits
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/028 Sampling from a surface, swabbing, vaporising
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/282 with mapping; Identification of areas; Spatial correlated pattern
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2001/2833 Collecting samples on a sticky, tacky, adhesive surface
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/0112 Apparatus in one mechanical, optical or electronic block
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/0181 Memory or computer-assisted visual determination
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2021/0187 Mechanical sequence of operations
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/01 Arrangements or apparatus for facilitating the optical investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/255 Details, e.g. use of specially adapted sources, lighting or optical systems
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/00 Special procedures for taking photographs; Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/02 Illuminating scene
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/14 for taking photographs during medical operations
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/561 Support related camera accessories
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/563 : Camera grips, handles means in general for steadying hand-held apparatus F16M13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 29/00 : Combinations of cameras, projectors or photographic printing apparatus with non-photographic non-optical apparatus, e.g. clocks or weapons; Cameras having the shape of other objects combinations with flash apparatus G03B15/03
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 : for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources

Abstract

A trace evidence material (TEM) collection device is disclosed that enables crime scene investigators to quickly and easily collect, analyze, annotate, securely store and electronically distribute images of large amounts of trace evidence materials and related crime scene information while also helping to comply with required trace evidence recovery procedures and documentation requirements. The TEM collection device includes a reusable handle and cassette drive mechanism, which may be used with a plurality of single-use cassettes. Each cassette includes a TEM collection media (such as a collection tape or swabbing pads attached to a substrate) that when moved across a surface is capable of collecting TEMs located on the surface. Preferably, each cassette also includes a sealing assembly that seals the TEM collection media after collection of the TEMs so as to preserve the collected TEMs.

Claims

1. A trace evidence material (TEM) collection device, comprising:

a TEM collection media that when moved across a surface is capable of collecting TEMs located on the surface; and

a sealing assembly that seals the TEM collection media after collection of the TEMs so as to preserve the collected TEMs.

2. The TEM collection device of claim 1, further comprising a supply reel that contains a roll of the TEM collection media prior to collection of the TEMs.

3. The TEM collection device of claim 2, further comprising a take-up reel that stores the roll of the TEM collection media after collection of the TEMs.

4. The TEM collection device of claim 2, further comprising a cutting assembly that cuts the TEM collection media after collection of the TEMs to provide a sealed segment that is ejected from the device.

5. The TEM collection device of claim 1, wherein the TEM collection media has a first side that collects the TEMs and a second back side.

6. The TEM collection device of claim 5, wherein the TEM collection media is sealed through application of a first seal to the first side of the TEM collection media and application of a second seal to the second back side of the TEM collection media so as to preserve the collected TEMs between the first and second seals.

7. The TEM collection device of claim 5, wherein the TEM collection media is sealed through application of a seal to the first side of the TEM collection media so as to preserve the collected TEMs between the seal and the second back side of the TEM collection media.

8. The TEM collection device of claim 5, wherein the TEM collection media is sealed through rolling the TEM collection media on to a take-up reel whereby the second back side of the TEM collection media preserves the collected TEMs.

9. The TEM collection device of claim 1, wherein the TEM collection media comprises a collection tape.

10. The TEM collection device of claim 1, wherein the TEM collection media comprises a substrate and a plurality of absorbent swabbing pads spaced along and attached to the substrate.

11. The TEM collection device of claim 10, further comprising a swab moisture applicator that moistens each of the swabbing pads prior to collection of the TEMs.

12. The TEM collection device of claim 1, further comprising one or more cameras that capture one or more videos or photographs, wherein each of the cameras comprises one of:

(a) a first camera that captures a video or a photograph of a crime scene;

(b) a second camera that captures a video or a photograph of the surface prior to collection of the TEMs; and

(c) a third camera that captures a video or a photograph of the TEM collection media after collection of the TEMs.

13. A trace evidence material (TEM) collection device, comprising:

a handle;

a cassette drive mechanism attached to the handle; and

a single-use cassette that is attachable to the cassette drive mechanism, wherein the cassette comprises;

(a) a TEM collection media that when moved across a surface is capable of collecting TEMs located on the surface; and

(b) a sealing assembly that seals the TEM collection media after collection of the TEMs so as to preserve the collected TEMs.

14. The TEM collection device of claim 13, wherein the cassette further comprises a supply reel that contains a roll of the TEM collection media prior to collection of the TEMs.

15. The TEM collection device of claim 14, wherein the cassette further comprises a take-up reel that stores the roll of the TEM collection media after collection of the TEMs.

16. The TEM collection device of claim 13, wherein the cassette further comprises a cutting assembly that cuts the TEM collection media after collection of the TEMs to provide a sealed segment that is ejected from the device.

17. The TEM collection device of claim 13, wherein the TEM collection media has a first side that collects the TEMs and a second back side.

18. The TEM collection device of claim 17, wherein the TEM collection media is sealed through application of a first seal to the first side of the TEM collection media and application of a second seal to the second back side of the TEM collection media so as to preserve the collected TEMs between the first and second seals.

19. The TEM collection device of claim 17, wherein the TEM collection media is sealed through application of a seal to the first side of the TEM collection media so as to preserve the collected TEMs between the seal and the second back side of the TEM collection media.

20. The TEM collection device of claim 17, wherein the TEM collection media is sealed through rolling the TEM collection media on to a take-up reel whereby the second back side of the TEM collection media preserves the collected TEMs.

21. The TEM collection device of claim 13, wherein the TEM collection media comprises a collection tape.

22. The TEM collection device of claim 13, wherein the TEM collection media comprises a substrate and a plurality of absorbent swabbing pads spaced along and attached to the substrate.

23. The TEM collection device of claim 13, further comprising one or more cameras that capture one or more videos or photographs, wherein each of the cameras comprises one of:

(a) a first camera that captures a video or a photograph of a crime scene;

(b) a second camera that captures a video or a photograph of the surface prior to collection of the TEMs; and

(c) a third camera that captures a video or a photograph of the TEM collection media after collection of the TEMs.

24. The TEM collection device of claim 23, further comprising a computing device with a display that presents the one or more videos or photographs captured by the one or more cameras.

25. The TEM collection device of claim 24, wherein the computing device enables entry of one or more annotations relating to the one or more videos or photographs presented on the display.

26. The TEM collection device of claim 13, wherein the single-use cassette is packaged in a peel pouch prior to use.

27. The TEM collection device of claim 26, wherein the single-use cassette is placed in the peel pouch after collection of the TEMs and sealed with a chain of custody label.

28. A trace evidence material (TEM) collection device, comprising:

a handle;

a cassette drive mechanism attached to the handle; and

a plurality of single-use cassettes each of which is attachable to the cassette drive mechanism, wherein each of the cassettes comprises a TEM collection media that when moved across a surface is capable of collecting TEMs located on the surface.

29. The TEM collection device of claim 28, wherein the TEM collection media comprises one of (a) a collection tape and (b) a substrate and a plurality of absorbent swabbing pads spaced along and attached to the substrate.

30. A trace evidence material (TEM) collection device, comprising:

a handle;

a cassette drive mechanism attached to the handle;

a cassette that is attachable to the cassette drive mechanism, wherein the cassette comprises a collection tape that when moved across a surface is capable of collecting TEMs located on the surface;

one or more cameras that capture one or more videos or photographs, wherein each of the cameras comprises one of;

(a) a first camera that captures a video or a photograph of a crime scene;

(b) a second camera that captures a video or a photograph of the surface prior to collection of the TEMs; and

(c) a third camera that captures a video or a photograph of the collection tape after collection of the TEMs; and

a computing device with a display that presents the one or more videos or photographs captured by the one or more cameras and enables entry of a plurality of annotations relating to the one or more videos or photographs presented on the display.