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Handprint after treatment with
Ninhydrin
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Handprint after treatment with
Silver Nitrate (under UV light)
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YOKNAPATAWPHA COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
Investigating Officer(s): Det. S. Murphy. Det. T. Armstrong
Incident No.: 000524-27A-2001
Case Description: Melissa Hammond Homicide
The following report on forensic analysis results was received from the
State Crime Lab on March 20, 2001.
Handprint:
After experimenting with handprints in the laboratory,
two methods were used to visualize the unknown handprint on the fitted
sheet (000524-21). Initially, ninhydrin was used revealing a faint purple
print, but not enough detail was available for identification of characteristic
patterns. A 3% solution of silver nitrate (which reacts with sodium chloride
left from perspiration) was then applied to the print and visualized under
UV light revealing a strong black print. Sufficient ridge detail was present
for identification of the handprint as consistent with Jonah Dale.
Stain Analysis:
Clothing items taken into evidence from the R. Hammond
and Kirby residences were analyzed to determine the presence of blood
(Kastle-Meyer test/Phenolphthalein)
Evidence #
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Description
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Location
|
Results
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000524-40
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One (1) men's dress shirt, white, size M
|
R. Hammond Master Bedroom
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positive for blood, subsequent precipitin test using electrophoresis
was positive for human blood, inconsistent with the victim
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000524-41
|
One (1) pair ladies' trousers, gray, size S
|
R. Hammond Master Bedroom
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positive for blood, subsequent precipitin test using electrophoresis
was positive for human blood, inconsistent with the victim
|
000524-42
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One (1) pair men's trousers, khaki, size 31W
|
R. Hammond Laundry Room
|
negative for blood, substance could not be identified
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000524-43
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One (1) pair men's trousers, gray, size 31W
|
R. Hammond Laundry Room
|
negative for blood, subsequently identified as wine (consistent
with Evidence #000524-38: One (1) liter bottle Copperridge merlot
wine)
|
000524-44
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One (1) turtleneck shirt, blue, size M
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R. Hammond Laundry Room
|
negative for blood, substance could not be identified
|
000524-45
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One (1) sweatshirt-type jacket, hooded, black, size XL
|
R. Hammond Laundry Room
|
negative for blood, subsequently identified as wine (consistent
with Evidence #000524-38: One (1) liter bottle Copperridge merlot
wine)
|
000524-49
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One (1) t-shirt, white, size M
|
R. Hammond Garage
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negative for blood, substance could not be identified
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000524-50
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One (1) sweatshirt, hooded, blue, with Ole Miss logo, size XL
|
R. Hammond Vehicle - Cadillac
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negative for blood, subsequently identified as tomato juice
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000524-51
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One (1) pair ladies' trousers, khaki, size M
|
Kirby Master Bedroom
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negative for blood, subsequently identified as cranberry juice
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000524-52
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One (1) pair men's trousers, brown, size 33W
|
Kirby Master Bedroom
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negative for blood, substance could not be identified
|
000524-53
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One (1) men's dress shirt, white, size 15 long
|
Kirby Master Bedroom
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negative for blood, subsequently identified as ballpoint pen ink
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000524-54
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One (1) pair ladies' trousers, green, size M
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Kirby Laundry Area
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negative for blood, substance could not be identified
|
000524-55
|
One (1) pair men's trousers, khaki, size 33W
|
Kirby Laundry Area
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negative for blood, subsequently identified as inkjet printer ink
|
000524-56
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One (1) pair men's trousers, gray, size 33W
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Kirby Laundry Area
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negative for blood, substance could not be identified
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000524-57
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One (1) men's dress shirt, white, size M
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Kirby Laundry Area
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negative for blood, subsequently identified as felt tip pen ink
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000524-58
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One (1) sweatshirt, white, with Mississippi State University logo,
size XL
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Kirby Laundry Area
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negative for blood, subsequently identified as tomato juice
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000524-59
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One (1) ladies' dress shirt, blue, size M
|
Kirby Laundry Area
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negative for blood, subsequently identified as wine (inconsistent
with Evidence #000524-38: One (1) liter bottle Copperridge merlot
wine)
|
000524-60
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One (1) t-shirt, white, size L
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Kirby Laundry Area
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positive for blood, subsequent precipitin test using electrophoresis
was positive for human blood, inconsistent with the victim
|
000524-61
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One (1) sweatshirt-type jacket, hooded, black, size XL
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Kirby Laundry Area
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negative for blood, substance could not be identified
|
000524-62
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One (1) turtleneck shirt, black, size L
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Kirby Laundry Area
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negative for blood, subsequently identified as tomato sauce
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000524-64
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One (1) pair ladies' trousers, gray, size M
|
Kirby Vehicle - Honda
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negative for blood, substance could not be identified
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000524-66
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One (1) men's dress shirt, blue, size L
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Kirby Vehicle - Mustang
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negative for blood, subsequently identified as power steering fluid
(polyalpha olefins, zinc alkyl dithiophosphate)
|
Document Examination:
Questioned Document Examiner David Vogel was provided
with the life insurance policy of Melissa Hammond. Comparison of the angularity,
slope, spacing, etc. of the signature on the policy (Q) with three known
samples of Melissa's handwriting revealed five major similarities (noted
in the photos). It was concluded that Melissa Hammond was the author of
the questioned signature.
Fibers:
Fibers from the ligature wound of the victim were compared
to the fibers of the following evidence items.
Evidence #
|
Description
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Location
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Results
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000524-46
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One (1) bundle of rope with wrapper labeled "Clothesline," approx.
66' length remaining
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R. Hammond Laundry Room
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consistent with fibers from ligature wound
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000524-47
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One (1) segment of rope, approx. 34" length, tied around cardboard
box
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R. Hammond Storage Room
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consistent with fibers from ligature wound, gold links found embedded
in this item were determined to be 14K gold and appeared to be forcibly
broken from the original item of jewelry
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000524-48
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One (1) plastic bag of rope labeled "Sash Cord," open, approx.
37' rope length remaining
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R. Hammond Storage Room
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inconsistent with fibers from ligature wound
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000524-63
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One (1) cone of rope, approx. 320' length remaining.
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Kirby Laundry Area
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inconsistent with fibers from ligature wound
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000524-65
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One (1) plastic bag of rope, labeled "Multi-Purpose Cord," open,
approx. 19' length remaining.
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Kirby Vehicle - Honda
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inconsistent with fibers from ligature wound
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