Preliminary forensics
The following reports on preliminary analysis findings in the Missy Hammond investigation were received from the State Crime Lab on February 23, 2001.
Trace Evidence
MISSISSIPPI CRIME LABORATORY |
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DATE ANALYSIS PERFORMED: Andrew Needham, FTEE |
Analysis: Trace Evidence Examination |
SUMMARY REPORT OF TRACE EVIDENCE ANALYSIS |
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Glass shards
1) 00524-11 through 000524-14: Four (4) glass shards, assorted sizes smaller than 1-inch x 1-inch
The glass shards have identical physical properties of three wine glasses in the victim's kitchen cabinet.
Rope
1) 000524-39: One (1) small bundle of rope
The rope is identified as Interwarp® NeoLine made of nylon. The rope pattern was also compared to the ligature pattern on the decedent's neck and cannot be excluded as the possible murder weapon.
Fibers
Comparison of fibers found embedded in the victim's ligature wound with 000524-39: One (1) small bundle of rope was inconclusive.
Fingernails
1) 000524-15 through 000524-18: Four (4) fingernail pieces, broken, dark red or maroon on one face, natural color on opposite face
Ridge analysis of the fingernail pieces, along with chemical analysis of the fingernail polish, and the victim's fingernails indicates that the pieces are from the decedent. Tissue found underneath the fingernail pieces is being submitted for DNA analysis.
Fingerprints
MISSISSIPPI CRIME LABORATORY |
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DATE ANALYSIS PERFORMED: Cynthia J. Markert, CPLE |
Analysis: Latent Print Examination |
SUMMARY REPORT OF FINGERPRINT ANALYSIS |
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Of the 877 full and partial fingerprints, a portion have been analyzed:
1) Two full prints on evidence 000524-02 (backup diskette) are consistent with Missy Hammond.
2) One partial print on evidence 000524-05 (diskette marked "Stuff") was consistent with Missy Hammond.
3) Partial prints on 00524-11 and 000524-13: 2 glass shards, assorted sizes smaller than 1-inch x 1-inch are consistent with Missy Hammond.
4) Full and partial prints on evidence 000524-20 (8-1/2" x 11" booklet, handmade, labeled "My Family by Liddie Hammond") were consistent with the following:
• One partial print and one full print were consistent with Thomas Hammond
• Two partial prints and three full prints were consistent with Roger Hammond
• Three partial prints and three full prints were consistent with Gloria Hammond
• Four partial prints and seven full prints were consistent with Missy Hammond
• Six partial prints and eleven full prints were consistent with Liddie Hammond
5) Full and partial prints on evidence 000524-27 (metal cash box, locked, Contents: $360 in cash) are consistent with the following:
• Four full and three partial prints are consistent with Missy Hammond
• One partial print is unknown
6) Full and partial prints on the letter written by Missy Hammond to Kevin Travers were consistent with the following:
• Two partial prints and one full print were consistent with Liddie Hammond
• Three partial prints and five full prints were consistent with Missy Hammond
• Five partial prints and eight full prints were consistent with Kevin Travers
7) Full and partial prints in the area of the basement window are consistent with the following:
• Nine full and partial prints are consistent with Jonah Dale
• Six full and partial prints are consistent with Missy Hammond
• Three full and partial prints are consistent with Kevin Travers
• Two full and partial prints are consistent with JP Wallace
• Four full and partial prints are consistent with unknown
8) Full and partial prints on the following pieces of evidence are all consistent with Missy Hammond:
• 000524-28: One (1) ladies shoulder bag, brown leather
Contents:
• 000524-29: One (1) Cover Girl® pressed powder compact, Classic Beige
• 000524-30 through 000524-31: Two (2) lipsticks
• 000524-30: Cover Girl® Rum Raisin
• 000524-31: Maybelline® Go Spice
• 000524-32: One (1) small hair brush
• 000524-33 through 000524-34: Two (2) ballpoint pens, black
• 000524-35: One (1) key ring with six keys
• 000524-36: One (1) wallet, brown leather
9) Handprint on evidence 000524-21 (fitted sheet) is inconclusive. Further analysis is underway.
10) No fingerprints could be lifted on evidence 000524-39: One (1) small bundle of rope
Chemistry
MISSISSIPPI CRIME LABORATORY |
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DATE ANALYSIS PERFORMED: Andrew Needham, FTEE |
Analysis: Chemistry
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REPORT OF CHEMICAL ANALYSIS |
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Click to enlarge |
1) 000524-10: One (1) 12' x 5' area rug with stain, measuring approximately 10" x 6"
Chemical analysis of the stain is consistent with evidence 000524-38: One (1) liter bottle Copperridge merlot wine found in the victim's kitchen.
2) 000524-37: One (1) 64-ounce bottle Juicy Juice® grape juice, approximately 1/4 remaining
Chemical analysis of the juice is inconsistent with evidence 000524-10 (stain on carpet)
3) 000524-11 through 000524-14: Four (4) glass shards, assorted sizes smaller than 1" x 1"
Chemical analysis of the residue on the glass is consistent with both pieces of evidence 000524-10 and 000524-38.
4) 000524-15 through 000524-18: Four (4) fingernail pieces, broken, dark red or maroon on one face, natural color on opposite face
Chemical analysis of the fingernail polish enamel is consistent with that on the decedent's fingernails.
5) 000524-19: One (1) 2" x 2" plastic zipper bag, clear, empty
Upon microscopic observation, a small amount of white residue was noted. GC-MS analysis of the white residue in the bag is consistent with cocaine.
Serology
MISSISSIPPI CRIME LABORATORY |
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DATE ANALYSIS PERFORMED: Andrew Needham, FTEE |
Analysis: Serology
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REPORT OF SEROLOGICAL ANALYSIS |
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1) 000524-23: One (1) comforter, stained.
The stain is identified as urine and fecal matter originating from the decedent.
2) 000524-15 through 000524-18: Four (4) fingernail pieces, broken, dark red or maroon on one face, natural color on opposite face.
Microscopic amounts of tissue were found underneath the fingernails. Although tissue samples may not be adequate for DNA analysis, they have been submitted for DNA analysis.