Glass Importance of Glass Trace Evidence The unique characteristics and properties of glass can provide valuable information to investigators. Glass is made up of materials that have no defined shape, fused together and cooled to rigidity without crystallization (“Glass,” 2011). Glass can be made in various thicknesses, colors and with patterns and designs or smooth. Glass can be manufactured in a way that reduces or prevents shattering, resulting in small pieces rather than flakes or fine powder-like pieces (Saferstein, 2009). The density and refractive index of glass fragments can be used to determine whether the fragments come from a single object, such as a broken window in a house, or from several objects. The information, along with other evidence, can help investigators determine what happened at the scene and identify the people who were at the scene. Collection and preservation Every possible piece of broken glass should be collected from a crime scene if there is a possibility of reconstructing it. together they exist (Saferstein, 2009). A sample piece from an identifiable source should be collected for comparison purposes. For example, at the scene of an automobile accident with broken headlights and windows, a glass sample should be taken from any remaining glass in the window frame and headlights to aid in identification of the pieces of glass collected at the scene. Glass samples should be placed in solid containers to prevent further breakage of the sample (Saferstein, 2009). All samples must be clearly labeled identifying the point of origin. The inside and outside sides of the glass should be labeled, if known. When broken glass is found on a fabric, you need to pick up the entire piece of fabric. The fabric should be kept......center of the paper......tmRamsland, K. (n.d.). Track evidence. Retrieved October 21, 2011, from Tru TV: http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/criminal_mind/forensics/trace/1.htmlSaferstein, R. (2009). Forensic science: from the crime scene to the crime laboratory. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice HallSteck-Flynn, K. (2009, September 20a). Traces of evidence: hair. Retrieved October 20, 2011, from CTE Online: http://www.cteonline.org/cognoti/content/file/import/curr/38/38f1b929/38f1b929a8ed6ed226310850f324ed7ea57bf053/Trace_Evidence_Fact_Sheet.pdfSteck-Flynn, K. (2009, September 20b). Analysis and collection of soil samples. Retrieved November 19, 2011, from Crime and Clues: http://www.crimeandclues.com/index.php/forensic-science-a-csi/trace-a-dna/20-analysis-and-collection-of-soil - samplesLana. (2010). Retrieved November 2, 2011, from Fabrics: http://www.fabrics.net/fabric-facts/wool/