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.

Chemistry

MISSISSIPPI CRIME LABORATORY
DATE ANALYSIS PERFORMED: 03/14/2001 Andrew Needham, FTEE Jackson Laboratory Jackson, MS 39205 601-987-XXXX (FAX 601-987-XXXX)	Analysis: Chemistry
REPORT OF CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
Case Description: Missy Hammond homicide	Case # 000524-27A-2001
Investigative Agency: Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department	Investigating Officer(s): Det. S. Murphy, Det. T. Armstrong

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 # & Description	Location	Findings
000524-40: One (1) men's dress shirt, white, size M	R. Hammond master bedroom	positive 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 S	R. Hammond master bedroom	positive 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 31W	R. Hammond laundry room	negative for blood; substance could not be identified
000524-43: One (1) pair men's trousers, gray, size 31W	R. Hammond laundry room	negative 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 M	R. Hammond laundry room	negative for blood; substance could not be identified
000524-45: One (1) sweatshirt-type jacket, hooded, black, size XL	R. Hammond laundry room	negative 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 M	R. Hammond garage	negative for blood; substance could not be identified
000524-50: One (1) sweatshirt, hooded, blue, with Ole Miss logo, size XL	R. Hammond vehicle - Cadillac	negative for blood; subsequently identified as tomato juice
000524-51: One (1) pair men's trousers, khaki, size 33W, with reddish stains	Kirby master bedroom	negative for blood; subsequently identified as cranberry juice
000524-52: One (1) pair men's trousers, brown, size 33W	Kirby master bedroom	negative for blood; substance could not be identified
000524-53: One (1) ladies' dress shirt, white, size M, with reddish stains	Kirby master bedroom	negative for blood; subsequently identified as ballpoint pen ink
000524-54: One (1) pair ladies' trousers, green, size M	Kirby laundry area	negative for blood; substance could not be identified
000524-55: One (1) pair ladies' trousers, khaki, size M, with reddish stains	Kirby laundry area	negative for blood; subsequently identified as inkjet printer ink
000524-56: One (1) pair men's trousers, gray, size 33W	Kirby laundry area	negative for blood; substance could not be identified
000524-57: One (1) men's dress shirt, white, size 15 long, with reddish stains	Kirby laundry area	negative for blood; subsequently identified as felt tip pen ink
000524-58 One (1) sweatshirt, white, with Mississippi State University logo, size XL	Kirby laundry area	negative for blood; subsequently identified as tomato juice
000524-59: One (1) ladies' dress shirt, blue, size M	Kirby laundry area	negative 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 L	Kirby laundry area	positive 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 XL	Kirby laundry area	negative for blood; substance could not be identified
000524-62: One (1) turtleneck shirt, black, size L	Kirby laundry area	negative for blood; subsequently identified as tomato sauce
000524-63: One (1) pair ladies' trousers, gray, size M	Kirby vehicle - Honda	negative for blood; substance could not be identified
000524-65: One (1) men's dress shirt, blue, size L	Kirby vehicle - Mustang	negative for blood; subsequently identified as power steering fluid (polyalpha olefins, zinc alkyl dithiophosphate)

Handprint

MISSISSIPPI CRIME LABORATORY
DATE ANALYSIS PERFORMED: 03/15/2001 Cynthia J. Markert, CPLE North Mississippi Regional Laboratory Batesville, MS 38606 662-563-XXXX (FAX 662-563-XXXX)	Analysis: Latent Print Examination
REPORT OF FINGERPRINT ANALYSIS
Case Description: Missy Hammond homicide	Case # 000524-27A-2001
Investigative Agency: Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department	Investigating Officer(s): Det. S. Murphy, Det. T. Armstrong

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.

Therefore, destructive methods were investigated to analyze the print.

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

1. Ninhydrin

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

Ninhydrin print
Click to enlarge

2. Silver nitrate

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.

Silver nitrate print
Click to enlarge

Analysis Findings

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

Questioned Document

MISSISSIPPI CRIME LABORATORY
DATE ANALYSIS PERFORMED: 03/09/2001 Hope Clark, FDE Jackson Laboratory Jackson, MS 39205 601-987-XXXX (FAX 601-987-XXXX)	Analysis: Questioned Document Examination
SUMMARY REPORT OF QUESTIONED DOCUMENT EXAMINATION
Case Description: Missy Hammond homicide	Case # 000524-27A-2001
Investigative Agency: Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's Department	Investigating Officer(s): Det. S. Murphy, Det. T. Armstrong

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

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.

Click to enlarge

Analysis Findings

• Melissa Hammond was the author of the questioned signature.

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