A Textbook Case

apparently from trash and recycling bins; used, many items handled; therefore containing friction ridge prints
    •  Plastic spoons, forks, knives, food containers, beverage cups, coffee cartons, all used
    --185 samples
    --DNA, to be determined
    •  Swabs of human and/or animal organic materials, revealed by alternative light source
    --saliva, semen, plasma, sweat, vaginal fluids?
    --possibly delivered to the scene via strewing trash and medical waste
    --742 swabs taken from different locations
    --DNA, to be determined
    •  Fibers, cloth
    --439 samples
    •  Fibers, nylon
    --230 samples
    •  Fibers, metal
    --25 samples
    •  Paint
    --used throughout the site, presumably to obscure actual evidence
    --oil-based spray
    --Cans located, nearly empty, suggesting they were found in trash, rather than purchased
    --eight to ten friction ridge prints on each can
    •  Latex gloves, used
    --48 separate L/R hand gloves
    --DNA, to be determined
    --Friction ridge prints, to be determined
    •  Dirt, dust
    --approximately two pounds in total
    --indeterminate number of sources
    --at least 12 main variations in composition
    •  Food crumbs
    --34 samples
    •  Leaves
    --249 collected
    --from approximately 27 known trees/bushes
    --73 unidentified
    •  Grass, lawn
    --376 samples
    •  Grass, decorative
    --64 samples
    •  Excrement
    --human/animal, to be determined
    --DNA, to be determined
    •  Light bulbs
    --from parking garage
    --removed, then shattered
    •  Powdered substances
    --214 samples
    --non-narcotic
    --possibly over-the-counter medicine, pulverized
    --laundry detergent
    --eight different brands
    •  Liquid substances still liquid or dried residue
    --bleach
    --ammonia
    --dish soap
    --alcohol
    --water
    --soft drinks
    --coffee
    --gasoline
    --milk
    •  Organic tissue
    --346 samples
    --human/animal, to be determined
    --DNA, to be determined
    --could be food
    •  Fingernail clippings
    •  Bones
    --42 samples
    --human/animal, to be determined (apparently animal)
    --DNA, to be determined
    --could be food
    --some definitely fish bones, chicken or other fowl
    •  Footprints
    --23, male and female, 18 different sizes, five associated with the victim’s shoes
    --prints of feet in crime scene, surgical booties
    •  vapors in crime scene
    --small fire set in corner, newspapers, possibly to obscure smell of the unsub’s aftershave or other odor
    --spray paint fumes.
    •  Disposable cigarette lighters
    --18 separate lighters found
    --probably taken from trash--most empty of butane
    --64 friction ridge prints
    Rhyme barked, “The chart reads like the table of contents in my goddamn book.”
    Several years ago Rhyme had written a textbook,
A Comprehensive Guide to Evidence Collection and Analysis,
which was a best seller, at least in the law enforcement community if not in the
Times.
    Sachs: “I don’t know where to start, Rhyme.”
    Well, guess what? Rhyme thought, I don’t either. He was recalling another passage in the book.
    While every scene will contain at least
some
transferred evidence from the perpetrator, it may never be discovered, as a practical matter, because of budget and time constraints. Similarly, there may be too much evidence obscuring the relevant clues, which will similarly render effective analysis impossible.
    “It’s even more brilliant than I thought,” the criminalist mused. “Getting most of what he used in the crime from the trash—covered with other people’s prints. And contaminating the scene with, literally, pounds of trace and other garbage. For things he couldn’t obscure—he could hardly bring a dozen shoes with him or somebody else’s fingers—he wore booties and gloves.”
    Sachs said, “But those can’t be his gloves, all the latex ones. He wouldn’t leave them behind.”
    “Probably not. But we can’t afford
not
to analyze them, can we? And he knows it.”
    “I suppose not,” said Mel Cooper, as discouraged as the rest of them. Rhyme believed the tech had had a ballroom dancing date with his girlfriend of many years last night. They were competitors and apparently quite accomplished. Lincoln Rhyme did not follow dancing.
    “And he…” Rhyme’s voice faded as several thoughts came to him.
    “Linc—”
    Rhyme lifted his right arm and waved Sellitto silent as he continued to stare.
    Finally the criminalist said excitedly, “Think about this. This person knows evidence. And that means he knows there’s a good chance