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 # & DescriptionLocationFindings
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.