Types of Evidence

There are 3 types of evidence that can be collected from crime scenes, these types are biological evidence, chemical evidence and physical evidence. Each of the different forms of evidence is analysed differently when received by a forensics laboratory and also can provide different information regarding a crime that has occurred at specific crime scenes.

Biological

One of the types of evidence, which can be collected at crime scenes, is biological evidence. Biological evidence is primarily evidence that is made from organic materials, and originates or is composed of living organisms. The types of evidence within this category include biological fluids such as blood, semen and saliva. This category of evidence also includes hair and skin tissue. Fingerprints can also be classed as biological evidence as they are composed of oils and sweat produced from the sweat glands located on the fingers.

In the case of the murders of Nicole Brown and Ronald Goldman, there were a number of pieces of biological evidence collected by the scenes of crime officers. The biological evidence in this case included: swabs of blood collected from various areas of the crime scene, swabs were taken from droplets of blood that were found. Another piece of biological evidence collected in this case were hair samples, these hair samples were retrieved from the shirt that Ronald Goldman was wearing.

Chemical

Chemical evidence is evidence that is composed of chemical elements and compounds. Evidence within this category includes Gun shot residue that is produced after a gun is fired, drugs, paint and toxins such as poisons.

In the case of the murders of Nicole Brown and Ronald Goldman, no chemical evidence was actually collected by the scenes of crime officers from the crime scene. This is because no chemical evidence was found, nor was there any indication that any would be present – if the deceased had been killed by gun shot wounds or a suspected drug overdose, then the scenes of crime officers would have attempted to recover gun shot residue or drug like substances from the scene.

Physical

Physical evidence includes objects and items that are collected at a crime scene to be analysed. Examples of physical evidence include items such as footprints, video footage, vehicles and a weapon.

In the case of the murders of Nicole Brown and Ronald Goldman, a number of pieces of evidence were recovered which would fall into the physical evidence category. Firstly a blood covered leather glove was recovered from the scene of the murders, when OJ Simpsons residence was searched by the investigators what appeared to be a matching blood soaked glove was recovered within the grounds of his property on a pathway leading from a rear entrance. Another piece of physical evidence, which was recovered at the crime scene, was a blue coloured knit hat, this was found in close proximity to the bodies of Nicole and Ron. A final example of a piece of physical evidence collected by the scenes of crime officers in this case was bloody footprint, at Nicole’s residence. Although this footprint was composed of a biological source the footprint itself is classed as physical evidence.