Laminated Collection Card for Tamper-Resistant Specimen Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for collecting and preserving physical evidence, such as fingerprints and fibers, are burdensome, prone to tampering, and can lead to damage or loss of evidence, especially due to the need for multiple materials and exposure to environmental factors.
Innovation Solution
A collection card with laminated inner and outer layers, featuring an adhesive layer and a non-binding layer, allows specimens to be captured between layers, forming a pocket that isolates the evidence from the environment and prevents tampering, using a method that is simple and cost-effective.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lifting tape and paper are used to collect and preserve fingerprints, then the fingerprint can be lifted and preserved, but the process becomes burdensome and requires multiple materials to be on hand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines lifting tape and paper into a single integrated collection card structure. The lifting tape is permanently attached to the paper substrate, eliminating the need to handle separate materials. This merging of components simplifies the collection process while maintaining the reliability of fingerprint preservation.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection card serves multiple functions in one device: it acts as both the lifting surface and the preservation medium. The card can be used to lift fingerprints directly from surfaces and simultaneously serves as the documentation substrate, reducing the number of steps and materials needed compared to traditional separate tape and paper methods.
2Reliability
If sample containers are used to collect and store hair and fibers, then the specimens can be collected, but the evidence may become damaged or lost during processing and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a laminated structure with adhesive layers that create a protective pocket for specimens. This flexible lamination provides protection without the rigidity of traditional containers, allowing specimens to be secured in a controlled environment that prevents damage during handling and processing while maintaining accessibility for analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The specimen is nested within a pocket formed by the laminated layers of the collection card. This nested structure protects the specimen from environmental factors while keeping it accessible for examination. The pocket configuration provides a controlled micro-environment that prevents contamination and damage during storage and transport.
3Reliability
If lifting tape is applied to surfaces to collect hair or fibers, then the specimens can be adhered to the tape, but the process requires additional steps to affix the tape to paper for preservation
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting tape and paper substrate are merged into a single pre-assembled collection card unit. The tape is permanently attached to the paper in the correct orientation, eliminating the need for users to perform the additional step of affixing tape to paper. This integration maintains reliable specimen collection while significantly improving ease of operation.
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
The method effectively preserves specimens by minimizing environmental degradation and tampering, ensuring the integrity of the evidence for analysis, while being easy to use and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
a first adhesive layer positioned between the inner and outer layers at a first location on the collection card
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided to facilitate the collecting and preserving a piece of physical evidence. The method includes the steps of providing a collection card with inner and outer layers laminated to each other and removing a first portion of the inner layer to expose an adhesive on a first portion of the outer layer. The piece of physical evidence is positioned between a second portion of the inner layer and the first portion of the outer layer. Thereafter, the first portion of the outer layer is folded over the second portion of the inner layer so as to capture the piece of physical evidence therebetween.