Classification of Toolmark Surfaces on Zipper Teeth

This study proposes the classification of the toolmark under the heads of zipper teeth as a subclass characteristic as outlined by the Association of Firearm and Toolmark Examiners (AFTE). Two separate cases in which zipper teeth were found at crime scenes prompted this study. Brass zipper teeth manufactured by YKK were taken from 20 pairs of jeans and studied using a Reichert comparison microscope at 4X power. Photographs were taken and over 750 comparisons made. It was found that the toolmarks on each side on the 20 zippers were unique and independent of all other sides. The observations made in this study indicate that classifying zipper teeth toolmarks as a subclass characteristic is valid.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of North Texas

Year dc:date

1999

Author dc:creator

• Jacobsen, Dawn

Contributors dc:contributor

• Gill-King, Harrell
• Lott, James R.
• O'Donovan, Gerard A.

• Forensic sciences.
• Criminal investigation.
• Zippers.
• toolmark
• subclass characteristic
• zipper teeth
• crime scenes

Statement dc:rights

• Public
• Copyright
• Jacobsen, Dawn
• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

oclc: 47127124
untcat: b2299274
https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc2248/
ark: ark:/67531/metadc2248

OAI identifier oai:identifier

info:ark/67531/metadc2248