Additional forensics

The following reports on additional analysis findings in the Missy Hammond investigation were received from the State Crime Lab on March 20, 2001.

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{tab2 Chemistry}

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MISSISSIPPI CRIME LABORATORY

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DATE ANALYSIS PERFORMED:
03/14/2001

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Andrew Needham, FTEE
Jackson Laboratory
Jackson, MS 39205
601-987-XXXX (FAX 601-987-XXXX)

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Analysis: Chemistry

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REPORT OF CHEMICAL ANALYSIS

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Case Description:
 Missy Hammond homicide

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Case #
 000524-27A-2001

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Investigative Agency:
 Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff’s Department

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Investigating Officer(s):
 Det. S. Murphy, Det. T. Armstrong

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Clothing items taken into evidence from the R. Hammond and Kirby residences were analyzed to determine the presence of blood (Kastle-Meyer test/Phenolphthalein)

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Evidence # & DescriptionLocationFindings
000524-40: One (1) men’s dress shirt, white, size MR. Hammond master bedroompositive for blood; subsequent precipitin test using electrophoresis was positive for human blood; inconsistent with the victim
000524-41: One (1) pair ladies’ trousers, gray, size SR. Hammond master bedroompositive for blood; subsequent precipitin test using electrophoresis was positive for human blood; inconsistent with the victim
000524-42: One (1) pair men’s trousers, khaki, size 31WR. Hammond laundry roomnegative for blood; substance could not be identified
000524-43: One (1) pair men’s trousers, gray, size 31WR. Hammond laundry roomnegative for blood; subsequently identified as wine (consistent with Evidence #000524-35: One (1) liter bottle Copperridge merlot wine)
000524-44: One (1) turtleneck shirt, blue, size MR. Hammond laundry roomnegative for blood; substance could not be identified
000524-45: One (1) sweatshirt-type jacket, hooded, black, size XLR. Hammond laundry roomnegative for blood; subsequently identified as wine (consistent with Evidence #000524-35: One (1) liter bottle Copperridge merlot wine)
000524-49: One (1) t-shirt, white, size MR. Hammond garagenegative for blood; substance could not be identified
000524-50: One (1) sweatshirt, hooded, blue, with Ole Miss logo, size XLR. Hammond vehicle – Cadillacnegative for blood; subsequently identified as tomato juice
000524-51: One (1) pair men’s trousers, khaki, size 33W, with reddish stainsKirby master bedroomnegative for blood; subsequently identified as cranberry juice
000524-52: One (1) pair men’s trousers, brown, size 33WKirby master bedroomnegative for blood; substance could not be identified
000524-53: One (1) ladies’ dress shirt, white, size M, with reddish stainsKirby master bedroomnegative for blood; subsequently identified as ballpoint pen ink
000524-54: One (1) pair ladies’ trousers, green, size MKirby laundry areanegative for blood; substance could not be identified
000524-55: One (1) pair ladies’ trousers, khaki, size M, with reddish stainsKirby laundry areanegative for blood; subsequently identified as inkjet printer ink
000524-56: One (1) pair men’s trousers, gray, size 33WKirby laundry areanegative for blood; substance could not be identified
000524-57: One (1) men’s dress shirt, white, size 15 long, with reddish stainsKirby laundry areanegative for blood; subsequently identified as felt tip pen ink
000524-58 One (1) sweatshirt, white, with Mississippi State University logo, size XLKirby laundry areanegative for blood; subsequently identified as tomato juice
000524-59: One (1) ladies’ dress shirt, blue, size MKirby laundry areanegative for blood; subsequently identified as wine (inconsistent with Evidence #000524-35: One (1) liter bottle Copperridge merlot wine)
000524-60: One (1) t-shirt, white, size LKirby laundry areapositive for blood; subsequent precipitin test using electrophoresis was positive for human blood, inconsistent with the victim
000524-61: One (1) sweatshirt-type jacket, hooded, black, size XLKirby laundry areanegative for blood; substance could not be identified
000524-62: One (1) turtleneck shirt, black, size LKirby laundry areanegative for blood; subsequently identified as tomato sauce
000524-63: One (1) pair ladies’ trousers, gray, size MKirby vehicle – Hondanegative for blood; substance could not be identified
000524-65: One (1) men’s dress shirt, blue, size LKirby vehicle – Mustangnegative for blood; subsequently identified as power steering fluid (polyalpha olefins, zinc alkyl dithiophosphate)
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{tab2 Handprint}

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MISSISSIPPI CRIME LABORATORY

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DATE ANALYSIS PERFORMED:
03/15/2001

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Cynthia J. Markert, CPLE
North Mississippi Regional Laboratory
Batesville, MS 38606
662-563-XXXX (FAX 662-563-XXXX)

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Analysis: Latent Print Examination

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REPORT OF FINGERPRINT ANALYSIS

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Case Description:
 Missy Hammond homicide

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Case #
 000524-27A-2001

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Investigative Agency:
 Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff’s Department

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Investigating Officer(s):
 Det. S. Murphy, Det. T. Armstrong

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The handprint on evidence 000524-21 (fitted sheet) was examined using nondestructive methods (alternate lights sources and iodine fuming). No clear points of distinction could be visualized.

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Therefore, destructive methods were investigated to analyze the print.

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After experimenting with laboratory-generated handprints to optimize conditions, two methods were identified to visualize the unknown handprint on the fitted sheet (000524-21).

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1. Ninhydrin

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Initially, ninhydrin was used, revealing a faint purple print, but not enough detail was available for identification of characteristic patterns.

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{gallery alignment=center}mommy/ninhydrin-print-400.jpg{/gallery}
Ninhydrin print
Click to enlarge

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2. Silver nitrate

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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.

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{gallery alignment=center}mommy/silver-nitrate-print-400.jpg{/gallery}
Silver nitrate print
Click to enlarge

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Analysis Findings

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• Sufficient ridge detail was present for identification of the handprint as consistent with Jonah Dale.

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{tab2 Questioned Document}

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MISSISSIPPI CRIME LABORATORY

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DATE ANALYSIS PERFORMED:
  03/09/2001

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Hope Clark, FDE
Jackson Laboratory
Jackson, MS 39205
601-987-XXXX (FAX 601-987-XXXX)

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Analysis: Questioned Document Examination

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SUMMARY REPORT OF QUESTIONED DOCUMENT EXAMINATION

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Case Description:
Missy Hammond homicide

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Case #
000524-27A-2001

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Investigative Agency:
Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff’s Department

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Investigating Officer(s):
Det. S. Murphy, Det. T. Armstrong

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Questioned Document Examiner Hope Clark analyzed the life insurance policy of Melissa Hammond.

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Comparison of the angularity, slope, spacing and other aspects of the signature on the policy (Q) with three known samples of Melissa’s handwriting revealed five major similarities, noted in the photos below.

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{gallery alignment=center}mommy/handwriting-analysis.jpg{/gallery}
Click to enlarge

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Analysis Findings

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• Melissa Hammond was the author of the questioned signature.

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