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Trace Evidence

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Is it Still Possible to Commit the “Perfect” Crime? 

Why is Sherlock Holmes associated with a magnifying glass? He is looking for anything at the crime scene that appears out of place, no matter how minute, something he may overlook with the naked eye. Powerful microscopes and imaging devices are the standard “magnifying glass” for today’s investigators. Trace evidence is exactly the type of evidence cutting edge Sherlock is looking for.

To successfully defend his client, a criminal defense lawyer must understand what constitutes trace evidence and how the prosecution will likely use it against his client at trial. Examples of trace evidence include: skin, hair, various residues (including gunshot residues), fingerprints, fibers, pollen, impressions (such as a footprint), fragments (such as glass or paint), or a piece of a broken object. Even the most meticulously careful criminal will leave behind some evidence, no matter how vanishingly small, at the crime scene. New sophisticated imaging devices, evidence gathering techniques, and protocols are helping investigators harvest trace evidence that only a few years ago was undetectable.

Since evolving detection methodologies necessarily precede identification capabilities, trace evidence may provide few actual leads. To the trained eye, unrelated fibers can be microscopically indistinguishable. Investigators often recover only partial or smeared fingerprints. Degraded residues may yield few clues to their origin. Even where identification is possible, contamination – on such a microscopic level – may be difficult to prevent or exclude.

However, from a single fiber recovered from a victim or a crime scene, a talented investigator may discover that it came from a particular garment and create a statistical analysis demonstrating, based on the number of these garments sold within that geographical location, the probability of the victim randomly coming into contact with that garment. A copious investigator may obtain promising leads on the identity of the perpetrator by accessing credit card receipts from nearby stores selling the garment.

With all the advances in crime detection methodologies, equipment, and data bases, the “perfect” crime may one day soon be a relic of the past.

Kevin J. Mahoney is a Cambridge, MA Criminal Defense Lawyer.

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Testimonials

  • NS, a DUI client,about 1 month ago

    Attorney Mahoney,

    I just wanted to say thank you for such a wonderful and excellent job you did for me. You were quite impressive up there and you really did your homework catching her in a few lies from previous testimony. You are the best! Even though I never want to be in this situation again, if I know anyone I will give them your name.

    Thank Amy for me too! She is a great asset to have in your office! Very pleasant and understanding.

    Again thank you and go Celtics!
     

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  • about 1 month ago

    Kevin Mahoney recently represented me in a case for destruction of property and disorderly conduct. He was extremely thorough and persistent, and despite a great deal of evidence against me, he managed to get the felony charge dropped without having to go to trial.

    I had never been in legal trouble before and had no idea how to proceed, and without his counsel, I am sure that I would have gotten convicted.

    He listened to my specific needs and always acted in my best interest. His knowledge, attention to detail, and general courtroom presence continued to amaze me throughout the entire process.
     

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  • M.K.about 1 month ago

    Dear Attorney Mahoney:

    I wish to express my sincere appreciation for your efforts on my behalf. Your defense was truly outstanding. The court room skills that you demonstrated and legal knowledge were truly incomparable. I’m wishing you the very best in your future endeavors.

    In addition, I ‘m looking forward to viewing the Jello Trial on Court T.V. Let me thank you once again.

     

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  • about 1 month ago

    Attorney Mahoney,

    Is very knowledgeable and very professional. He has just represented me in a case lasting a year and a half, and he made sure I got a fair trial with a fair jury. He kept me well informed about what would be happening in the court room and always had a well thought out defense for any route of attack the D.A. would be planning on.

    My trial took 2 and a half days and after the jury deliberated for approximately 23 minutes they came back with a “Not guilty” verdict. I would recommend Attorney Mahoney to anyone I know, but I sure hope I dont need him again. : ) .
     

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Kevin J. Mahoney’s New Book Coming Soon

The Title IX Sexual Harassment Handbook

"Attorney Mahoney is currently authoring an authoritative and strategy driven compendium on investigating and defending Title IX sexual assault cases for lawyers, students, and universities. The book will be available through James Publishing within months."

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