Evidence Marking System With Universal Holders For Diverse Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing evidence marking systems lack versatility and standardization, making it difficult to effectively mark evidence across various environments such as horizontal, vertical, slanted, and vehicle surfaces, and do not provide a unified method for ensuring accurate measurement and orientation in crime scene investigations.
Innovation Solution
A marking system comprising markers with standardized dimensions and measurement indicia, along with a variety of holders that can securely attach to different surfaces using adhesives, magnets, or tension mechanisms, ensuring consistent marking across diverse environments, and allowing for the same markers to be used in multiple settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple types of evidence markers are used for different environments, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single standardized evidence marker that can be used across multiple environments (horizontal surfaces, vertical surfaces, slanted surfaces, vehicle surfaces, magnetic surfaces) through compatibility with various holder types. The marker itself remains uniform while the holders adapt to different surfaces, eliminating the need for multiple specialized markers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the evidence marking function into two independent components: a standardized marker and an environment-specific holder. This segmentation allows the marker to remain simple and uniform while the holders provide the necessary adaptability to different surfaces through magnetic, adhesive, tension, or mechanical attachment mechanisms.
2Manufacturing precision
If standardized markers are used across all environments, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The standardized marker serves as a universal component that maintains consistent dimensions and features across all applications. The holder components provide environment-specific functionality, allowing the same marker to be easily deployed on horizontal surfaces, vertical surfaces, slanted surfaces, vehicle surfaces, and magnetic surfaces through appropriate holder selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder acts as an intermediary between the standardized marker and the diverse environments. Different holder types (magnetic holders, adhesive holders, tension holders, mechanical holders) mediate the interaction between the uniform marker and varied surfaces, making the standardized marker easy to operate across all environments.
3Adaptability or versatility
If environment-specific holders are introduced, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the adaptability function into separate holder components while keeping the marker unified. Each holder type (magnetic, adhesive, tension, mechanical) is designed for specific surface characteristics, but all holders interface with the same standardized marker, reducing overall system complexity compared to having specialized markers for each environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The holders are designed as universal interfaces for the standardized marker. Despite different attachment mechanisms for different surfaces, all holders share common design features that allow them to work with the same marker dimensions and attachment points, reducing complexity through standardized interfaces.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and standardized marking of evidence across various environments, facilitating accurate documentation and analysis by providing consistent markers and holders that can be easily adapted to different surfaces, enhancing the reliability of crime scene investigations.
Implementation Method 1
The adhesive may be readily removeable, such as that used in the 3M 'CommandTM' line of products
Implementation Method 2
The base of the holder may include, for example, a weight, an adhesive, and/or a magnet to assist in associating the holder with a particular environment
Data Source
AI summary
A marking system for marking evidence at a scene is provided including a plurality of markers, and a plurality of different types of holders adapted to secure the plurality of markers in marking environments including a relatively horizontal surface, a relatively vertical surface, a relatively slanted surface, a vehicle surface, and a magnetic surface. The markers may include measurement indicia, a sequential marker identification, an index for indication of orientation, and/or a logo.