Running Head: Riot: Kurds vs.

Turks 1

Riot: Kurds vs. Turks

Glass Analysis

Jessica Flores Estrada

Los Angeles School of Global Studies

Author Note

Jessica Flores Estrada Department of Forensic Science, Los Angeles School of Global

Studies.

Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Jessica Flores Estrada,

Department of Forensic Science, Los Angeles School of Global Studies, 322 S. Lucas Ave., Los

Angeles, CA, 90017.

Contact: jessica.flores@lasgs.lausd.net
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Abstract

The purpose of the glass analysis was to identify the glass type of the broken glass that was taken

from its origin. The methods used were microscopical and physical analyses. The equipment

used to conduct this experiment included a microscope, Petri dishes, tweezers, caliper, measuring

scale, graduated cylinder, gloves, beakers. The materials needed were 5 different glass samples,

the glass evidence from the crime scene, vegetable oil, water, and test tubes. Modus Operandi

was the procedure used in this occasion: the crime scene was sketched and photographed;

samples were measured to find the density and they will be found in the crime scene glass

evidence; the profile of the crime scene glass evidence was then compared to each of the profiles

of the 5 glass samples; a match was found. As a consequence, the original glass from the crime

scene was the match to glass sample #5 because the characteristics such as color, density,

thickness, refraction, and microscopic structure were very similar and the crime scene glass type

is tempered glass. In conclusion, as stated before, glass sample #5 was the match, now the

amount of suspects can be narrowed down too.

Keywords: crime scene, Modus Operandi, tempered glass, density, microscopical analyses,

graduated cylinders
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Glass Analysis

On October 10, 2017​ ​a street fight occurred​ in ​Frankfurt, Germany. Five men, two

Caucasian and three Middle-Eastern, were charged with assault with intent to cause physical

injury with a weapon. The weapon that was used was a glass bottle, and two victims were taken

into the hospital for treatment. According to Dr.Fisher, the surgeon from German Presbyterian

Hospital, the damage was caused by a specific glass fragment. A piece/note was left by one of

the suspects as well. The US Embassy had then contacted the FBI for an independent

investigation. By agreement between countries, the investigation was then passed down to the

Forensic Lab at LASGS, Los Angeles California. The job of the forensic scientists was to

identify the glass type and analyze the piece of paper left at the crime scene for possible latent

fingerprints. In order to start the investigation, documentation had to take place such as chain of

custody and notes. Of course, like all good investigators know precautions had to be made before

they took anything. The use of gloves, tweezers, and packaging were some of the precautions

taken in order to not leave any prints on the evidence. The items collected were three different

glass fragments.

No testimonial evidence will be considered to due to the fact that there were no witness

that came forward to testify. Regardless of that small obstacle, physical evidence was still

analyzed. Identification and comparison were the methods used to identify the several types of

glass. Scientists were able to determine that the density of the glass evidence, the thickness, and

the color: clear. Glass evidence was examined and compared to 5 other glass samples sample: #1

had light blue in color, 3 mm thick; sample #2, 4 mm thick, green-yellowish in color; sample #3
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was 4 mm thick, green-bluish in color; sample #4 was 3 mm thick,and clear in color; sample #5

was 5 mm thick, clear in color, and a refraction index equal to 1.47 in oil.

Additionally, a microscopic analyses was conducted in order to finalize and have concise

results. Each glass sample was observed under the microscope, documented, and sketched. Once

this process was completed, conclusions and assumptions were made about the glass samples.

Subsequently, once the analyses was complete researchers concluded that the glass was

determined to be tempered which with a little of research tempered glass is known for its

strength hard to break, only two different items that are made out of that certain glass; glass

water bottles and food jars. When tempered glass is shattered, it breaks down into many different

small. Having this said, we can now narrows it down even further. Going back to the glass

samples found, one specific sample stood out the most; glass sample #5.

The origin of the glass was successfully found although the suspect is still to be looked

for. This can't be analyzed unless fingerprints or DNA were found. Regardless, our original

purpose has been completed, case closed!