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Forensic Database Trace Evidence Table
Biology Biometrics Chemistry/Toxicology Environmental Fire & Explosives Firearms & Toolmarks Questioned Documents
Technology/Digital Evidence Trace Evidence Other
Trace Evidence
| Name | Sub- discipline |
Maintained By | Overview & Contents | Access & Fees | Collection Methods | Evidence Type | POC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARBIDAR Company- Natural Fiber Collection | Fibers | ARBIDAR Company (commercial) | Reference collection of natural fibers and products manufactured from them. A kit of over 120 samples of natural fibers and products manufactured from them. A supplement to this kit was released recently. | Standards can be purchased for use in the laboratory. | Physical samples. | Susan Gross Minnesota BCA Chemistry Supervisor 651.793.2900 sue.t.gross [at] state.mn.us (sue.t.gross@ state.mn.us) |
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| ATF Trace Evidence Unit Reference Collections | Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) | Collections of various trace evidence samples; automotive paint pigments, human hair, animal hair, fibers, black spray paint, silicone adhesive, electrical tape, and duct tape. Collections include various automotive paint pigments, human hair, animal hair, fibers (hundreds), black spray paints (~10), silicone adhesives (30-50), electrical tape (30-40), and duct tape (20-30). | Collection can be accessed by emailing POC. | Some samples (i.e. human and animal hair) are steadily accumulated. Others (i.e. black spray paint, silicone adhesives) are collected for a specific case. Samples are collected from various sources, including volunteers, casework, and commercial vendors. | Physical samples. | Leonora Bender Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) 202.648.6146 |
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| Cargille Laboratories - Optical Glass Standards | Glass | Cargille Laboratories (commercial) | Glass standards for refractive index measurements. A collection of selective, comminuted optical glasses supplemented by purified minerals to provide a reasonable range of refractive indices from 1.34 to 2.40 in increments of 0.01. Products vary in size from 18 to 58 samples. | Standards can be purchased through the URL. Four products available for purchase ranging from $240.00 to $531.00. | Physical samples purchased from an online catalogue. | Susan Gross Minnesota BCA Chemistry Supervisor 651.793.2900 sue.t.gross [at] state.mn.us (sue.t.gross@ state.mn.us) |
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| Collaborative Testing Services, Inc. - Fiber Collection | Fibers | Collaborative Testing Services, Inc. (commercial) | Reference collection of textile fibers. Involves the identification, analysis and comparison of fibers trace evidence. The collection contains both known and questioned samples. Samples consist of synthetic and/or processed natural fibers. | The physical reference collection is available for purchase through the URL. The collection costs $140.00. | Physical samples purchased from an online catalogue. | Susan Gross Minnesota BCA Chemistry Supervisor 651.793.2900 sue.t.gross [at] state.mn.us (sue.t.gross@ state.mn.us) |
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| Digital Automotive Image System (DAIS) | Automobile Identification | Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) -- Digital Evidence Laboratory | A digital system, which fits entirely on one DVD, with photos and data of motor vehicles commercially manufactured in the last twenty years. Used in image analysis to provide opinions as to whether a car in a photo could be a particular make, model, or year car. Collection of images of make, model and year of cars. Includes front, side, and rear photos of motor vehicles and accompanying data. The software can generate "Be On the Lookout"-type posters and produce photo lineups. DAIS contains thousands of records. | User must request a DVD from the FBI. Database can then be downloaded from DVD and installed on an unlimited number of computers. The data is searchable by vehicle category, body style, number of doors, and other characteristics. CDs are available up request to law enforcement only. | Images are obtained per contract with Southwest Research Institute through TSWG. | Digital records. |
FBI Contact: Request CDs: |
| EPA NEIC Asbestos Collection | Asbestos, Silicate Mineral | Private Collection, Owner works for EPA NEIC | Self-maintained, private collection of asbestos samples. Owner is willing and has provided samples to requesting parties on occasion. The collection contains 20-40 asbestos samples collected from mines in North America (Vermont, Quebec, North Carolina, Arizona), rockshops, and bookshops. | Contact the POC/Owner. Physical samples are available for some, but not all, of the collection's specimens. Currently only used internally and for educational purposes in court. Any outsider with a legetimate cause can request access. | Samples collected from caves, or purchases in rockshops and bookshops by the collection owner. | Physical samples. | Peggy Forney, Collection Owner National Enforcement Investigations Center, EPAC Chemist 303.462.9110 Forney.Peggy [at] epamail.epa.gov (Forney.Peggy@ epamail.epa.gov) |
| European Collection of Automotive Paints (EUCAP) | Paint, Automobile Identification | The French Police Lab maintains the database; data analysis is performed by the Federal Criminal Police Force of Germany (BKA). | A searchable collection of paint samples removed from primarily salvage vehicles by law enforcement laboratory participants throughout Europe. Paint samples collected by European Law Enforcement Agencies. | The database can be accessed via the internet via a secure ID and password assigned by the French Police Lab. | Wolfgang Langer wolfgang.langer04 [at] bka.bund.de (wolfgang. langer04@ bka.bund.de) |
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| FBI Lab - Fiber Library | Fibers | Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) -- FBI Laboratory | Database of FTIR spectra of textile fibers used to identify fiber types. Database includes 86 records. Each record includes FTIR spectra. Physical samples of fibers are also held. | Library is stored in FBI's version of the OMNIC library search software (Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.). Outside agencies can request FBI Trace Evidence staff to carry out analysis by contacting POC. No cost to access; outside labs and agencies can submit requests to FBI. | Most of the fiber samples were obtained from Collaborative Testing Services (a commercial company). | Digital records and physical samples. | Stephen Shaw Federal Bureau of Investigations, FBI Laboratory 703.632.7706 stephen.shaw [at] ic.fbi.gov (stephen.shaw@ ic.fbi.gov) |
| FBI Lab - Forensic Automobile Carpet Database (FACD) | Fibers, Automobile Identification | Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) -- FBI Laboratory | A collection of carpet fibers removed from vehicles. Fibers are entered into a centralized searchable database that is used to provide investigative make/model/year information. Collection includes about 800 samples of known automobile carpet fibers. Records include microscopic characteristics including cross-section, diameter, color as seen through microscope, IR microscopy, microspectrometry. | Sample is first analyzed and a search is carried out using a Microsoft Access database. The sample is then compared with physical samples of possible matches. Outside law enforcement agencies will be able to submit evidence for analysis by the FBI. No cost to access; outside labs and agencies can submit requests to FBI. | Fibers come from personally-owned vehicles, manufactures, and junkyards. | Digital records and physical samples. | Stephen Shaw Federal Bureau of Investigations, FBI Laboratory 703.632.7706 stephen.shaw [at] ic.fbi.gov (stephen.shaw@ ic.fbi.gov) |
| International Forensic Automotive Paint Data Query (PDQ) | Paint, Automobile Identification | Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)-- Forensic Laboratory Services | The International Forensic Automotive Paint Data Query (PDQ) database is a centralized, searchable database of chemical and color information of original automotive paints. Search results provide make/model/year information. PDQ contains foreign and domestic automotive paint samples from ~13,000 vehicles and ~50,000 layers of paint. Most paint samples consist of four layers typically used for an automotive job. Contains majority of post-1973 vehicles marketed in the US. | Access is granted through a program updated and released by RCMP annually through a CD release. Law enforcement agencies interested in PDQ who are not already members can contact PDQ directly by email. Partnering agencies also have access to physical samples by request. Use of the PDQ is for bona fide law enforcement agencies only that perform forensic paint examinations as part of criminal investigations. "Payment" for access to the database is the submission of 60 samples to PDQ each year. In addition, users must sign a non-disclosure agreement. | Every accessing institution must submit 60 paint samples per year, these usually come from vehicles at body shops or junk yards or manufacturers. Samples are also collected directly from some automotive companies. | Samples are analyzed for their identifying chemical properties, and this information is stored digitally. Physical samples are available by request (see more information). | Email PDQ: PDQ [at] rcmp-grc.gc.ca (PDQ@ rcmp-grc.gc.ca) Mark Sandercock Manager, Trace Evidence Operations Support National Centre for Forensic Services - AlbertaRoyal Canadian Mounted Police 780.451.7418 mark.sandercock [at] rcmp-grc.gc.ca (mark. sandercock@ rcmp-grc.gc.ca) Diana Wright Federal Bureau of Investigations, FBI Laboratory 703.632.7418 diana.wright [at] ic.fbi.gov (diana.wright@ ic.fbi.gov) |
| Locke Scientific - GRIM Glass Standards | Glass | Locke Scientific (commercial) | Glass standards for GRIM. | Standards can be purchased for use in the laboratory. | Physical samples. | Susan Gross Minnesota BCA Chemistry Supervisor 651.793.2900 sue.t.gross [at] state.mn.us (sue.t.gross@ state.mn.us) |
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| McCrone Microscopes & Accessories - Slide Sets | Reference Materials/ Standards | McCrone Microscopes & Accessories (commercial) | Microscope company stocks a number of slide sets that serve as reference collections for forensic analysis. Sets include a paint pigment set, particle set, fiber reference sets, white powder set, and an asbestos reference set. Paint Pigment Set - 50 samplesFiber Reference Set - 100 samplesAsbestos Reference Set - 25 samples; includes materials that contain asbestosParticle Reference Set - 100 samplesWhite Powder Set - 25 samples | Standard reference materials and slide sets can be searched and purchased on the website. Paint Pigment Set - $325.00; Fiber Reference Set - $725.00; Asbestos Reference Set - $450.00; Particle Reference Set - $725.00; White Powder Set - $300.00 | Samples in each slide set are selected by based on most commonly seen specimen for each category. | Physical samples purchased from an online catalogue. | http://www. mccrone microscopes.com/ contact.asp |
| MicroTrace - SRM Collections | Reference Materials/ Standards | MicroTrace Scientific (commercial) | Company that sells reference material collections and slide sets. Reference materials include forensic fiber reference collection, natural fiber collection, hair and fur collection, forensic mineral analysis slide set, and automotive pigment reference collection. Reference Collections- Fiber Reference Collection: 200 traceable, authenticated synthetic fibers- The Arbidar Animal Hair and Fur Collection: 80 animal hair samples from around the world representing 49 genera- The Arbidar Natural Fiber Collection:80 samples representing a wide variety of natural fibers including vegetable fibers, animal fur fibers used in textiles, silks, and papersSlide Reference Collections:- Forensic Mineral Reference Collection: approximately 40 slides of minerals that are forensically significant- Automotive Pigment Reference Collection: approximately 40 slides of paint pigments from automotive manufacturers | Standard reference materials can be searched and purchased on the website. Cost varies by product; legitimate forensic laboratories can purchase. | N/A | Physical samples are available for purchase through the online catalog. | Microtrace LLC 790 Fletcher Drive Suite 106 Elgin, IL 60123-4755 847.742.9909 |
| National Automotive Paint File (NAPF) | Paint, Automobile Identification | Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) -- FBI Laboratory | A physical collection of automotive paint panels acquired and maintained by the FBI's Chemistry Unit for use in casework. NAPF is a physical collection of paint color standards and/or full system paint panels (as a vehicle would be painted, not just the top coats). It contains approximately 14,000 automotive paint panels. | NAPF is used in an investigation to make a physical comparison of evidentiary paint chips to known paint colors to aid in identifying possible vehicle makes and models in hit-and-run investigations. The FBI Lab may be able to provide small samples of specific vehicle colors to other law enforcement agencies if that agency has some knowledge of the specific color or model they are seeking. | Automotive manufacturers provide these physical samples free of charge to the FBI Lab for all vehicles available for purchase in North America. This does not include commercial vehicles such as trucks, buses, motorcycles or RVs. | NAPF is not a database; physical samples are available. | Diana Wright Federal Bureau of Investigations, FBI Laboratory 703.632.7418 diana.wright [at] ic.fbi.gov (diana.wright@ ic.fbi.gov) |
| National Forensic Tape File (NFTF) | Tape | Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) -- FBI Laboratory | The National Forensic Tape File is used for determining the manufacturer and/or product for duct tape sourcing requests and is also a repository for samples used in the FBI duct tape and electrical tape discrimination studies. ~500 tape samples stored in-house in plastic bags and plastic bins in a storage cabinet. Physical properties and/or chemical composition can be searched in SLICE software to determine potential manufacturer/product candidates, and then those candidates can be pulled out of NFTF for a direct comparison to the unknown sample. | The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and FBI both use SLICE software to interact with digital tape records. - FDLE and FBI are willing to share their digital records with other forensic scientists that have SLICE and are willing to share/exchange samples.- For a laboratory without the SLICE software, the FBI can conduct the analysis for them as long as it adheres to the case acceptance policy. Case Acceptance Policy: Usually if it's a case that has FBI jurisdiction, they will accept it and perform the analysis. If the lab has its own capabilities, then it must do the analysis itself (but FBI and FDLE will share/exchange data and samples). | Manufacturers provide rolls free of charge (majority of samples) or samples are purchased. A new roll is assigned a sequential number, put into a storage cabinet, its paperwork is filed, and then it is analyzed and data is put into SLICE. | Digital records can be shared through the SLICE software. Physical samples are maintained in-house. | Andria Mehltretter Federal Bureau of Investigations, FBI Laboratory 703.632.7415 andria.mehltretter [at] ic.fbi.gov (andria. mehltretter@ ic.fbi.gov) |
| Polyethylene Repository & Information Database for Evdience (PRIDE) | Plastic Bags | Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) -- FBI Laboratory | Repository of polyethylene reference samples. Examples include trash bags and sandwich bags. Database can be used to determine the possible manufacturer of a bag used at a crime scene. Collection includes approximately 1,000 samples of polyethylene bags. | There is a standalone system at the FBI Laboratory Questioned Documents Unit. The QDU will search the system to fulfill outside requests. Outside agencies submit the questioned specimen for QDU to do analysis. No cost to access; outside law enforcement agencies can submit requests to the FBI. | Samples were obtained as part of a research project for development of the database. Additional samples are provided by the program manager. Submitted samples are not added to PRIDE because manufacturer information is unknown. | Digital records and physical samples. |
Meg McHenry Contacts if agencies have questions: |
| Powder Diffraction File (PDF) | Powders | International Center for Diffraction Data (ICDD) | Database of powder diffraction data for the identification of crystalline materials. The database can be purchased in different versions. Collection includes 715,953 total records, broken down into numerous libraries that the user can purchase depending on user needs (basic version, advanced version, and mineral and organics add-ons). Diffraction, crystallographic, and bibliographic data are kept on each data set. Select physical properties are also kept. | PDF can be purchased as a standalone version on user's PC (depending on version). User must first purchase a license (1 year for advanced version, 5 years for basic version). For sales information, call the number listed or visit the website. Pricing information for various packages appears on the brochure. Product may be purchased after agreeing to the licensing terms. | The following institutions are collaborative partners on PDF:- International Center for Diffraction Data (ICDD); Newtown Square, PA- Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre (CCDC); Cambridge, UK, Cambridge Structural Database (CSD)- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST); Gaithersburg, MD- Fachinformationszentrum Karlsruhe (FIZ); Karlsruhe, Germany, Crystal Structure Database (ICSD)- Material Phases Data System (MPDS); Vitznau, Switzerland, Linus Pauling File (LPF) | Digital records. | Sales Information: sales [at] icdd.com (sales[at]icdd[dot]com) 610.325.9810 |
| Scientific Polymer - Polymer Reference Standard Material | Polymers | Scientific Polymer Product Inc. (commercial) | A catalog of over 1,000 monomers, polymer and plasticizers. | Standards can be purchased through the URL. Prices vary by product. | Physical samples purchased from an online catalogue. | Susan Gross Minnesota BCA Chemistry Supervisor 651.793.2900 sue.t.gross [at] state.mn.us (sue.t.gross@ state.mn.us) |
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| SoleMate | Impressions | Foster + Freeman (commercial) | SoleMate footwear records include brand, model, footwear type (e.g. trainer / athletic shoe, boot, shoe, sandal, wellington / gumboot), availability, a print of the sole unit, a photograph of the sole unit and photographs of a range of uppers, where applicable. Each record is coded with searchable shapes, logos and text found on the print. As of today, SoleMate contains approximately 32,000 shoes and 1,100 brands of sports, work, and casual footwear. Footwear from different brands using the same sole unit, or from the same brand with small differences such as a change of logo, are linked together to allow the user to immediately see variations of that sole unit. | The user specifies shapes, logos and text that match the questioned print and searches these against the coded records in SoleMate. The archive is provided on a memory stick, not a DVD, and there is no online purchase available. | Foster & Freeman liaise with manufacturers and distributors to collect footwear data up to 12 months before the beginning of each new season, thus allowing time to enter it into SoleMate and distribute it to users in time for the start of each new footwear season. | Digital records. | Amy Temenak Foster & Freeman USA 888.445.5048 or 703.433.9361 amy.temenak [at] fosterfreeman.com (amy.temenak@ fosterfreeman. com) |
| TireGuides, Inc. - Tread Design Guide | Impressions | Tire Guides, Inc. (commercial) | Database of tire tread designs utilized to provide investigative lead information on possible make and model for unknown impressions. The Tread Design Guide shows tread patterns for all types of tires sold in the U.S.•A comprehensive Visual Identification of all types of Tire Tread Pattern Designs.•Covers Passenger, Light Truck and Medium Truck vehicles.•Includes Off-Road and Agricultural Tread Patterns.•Also covers Motorcycle and retread tire tread designs.•Provides information on how to read a tire sidewall and on the different Tire Sizing Systems.•Gives detailed information on Speed-Rating and Load Indexes as well as lug nut torque and tightening sequences.•Back Issues available. | The individual guides can be purchased as a hardcopy book. A computerized version is also available. Contact Tire Guides Inc. by phone or through the URL. Price Quantity (from website)$28.00 1 - 4 $27.00 5 - 9 $25.00 10 - 24 $24.00 25 - 99 | Tread patterns and other information compiled for tires sold in the U.S.. | Digital records. | Tire Guides Inc. - Tire Information Center 1101 South Rogers Circle Ste 6 Boca Raton, FL 33487-2748 561.997.9229 tireinfo [at] tireguides.com (tireinfo@ tireguides.com) |
| TreadMate | Impressions | Foster + Freeman (commercial) | Commercial database application that contains records of tire prints. Records include manufacturer, manufacturer reference, market release date, image of the tire, and searchable pattern feature codes. TreadMate contains over 8,500 tires and 200 brands of vehicle tires. Each record contains the following information on the tire: manufacturer, manufacturer's reference for the footwear, date of release, a pictorial image, and a set of pattern feature codes. | Then user goes through a series of pattern feature photos and picks each feature that most closely matches the questioned tire print. The database then searches by pattern codes and returns a list of candidate tires in order of similarity to the questioned print described. A DVD can be purchased online and installed on a computer. The product contains two parts: the archive version, and a subscription that provides annual updates. The website and brochure contain additional product information. | Foster + Freeman researchers gather data and add new records to TreadMate. | Digital records. | Amy Temenak Foster & Freeman USA 888.445.5048 or 703.433.9361 amy.temenak [at] fosterfreeman.com (amy.temenak@ fosterfreeman. com) |
| TSWG Sponsored FIU Glass Database | Glass, Elemental Analysis | Florida International University, sponsored by the Technical Support Working Group | The database assesses the relative frequency that two glass samples from different sources would have the same elemental profile. The purpose of this database is to provide glass examiners a view of the frequency of occurrence of elemental composition for ~700 different glass samples originating from different sources. The database contains elemental analysis data for 12 elements for ~ 700 glass samples from manufacturers, distributors, and vehicle junkyards. Samples include: containers, float, headlamp, and vehicle glasses. | The database is not designed to be searched for casework in the way that other forensic databases (i.e. PDQ) but rather, it is to be used by researchers to estimate the probability of a random occurrence of elemental composition for different glass sources. Two plasma mass spectrometers are used to perform an elemental analysis of glass. Freely available to agencies and researchers with a reasonable cause. | Samples are collected from manufacturers, distributors, and vehicle junkyards. The data was collected from a single laboratory (FIU) as part of a research project. | Digital data records. | Dr. Jose Almirall, Professor Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University 305.348.3917 almirall [at] fiu.edu (almirall[at]fiu[dot]edu) |
Created June 4, 2013, Updated April 24, 2019