WESTERFIELD TRIAL: Week Three - Day Four

San Diego Courtroom Trial | none

[NatureGirl]

Here's the new thread, all ready for Thursday.

Testimony recently discussed includes fingerprint evidence, as well as Westerfield's clean laundry. The Van Dam home was (strangely) devoid of fingerprints, except for a couple of latents that didn't match any of the pizza party people or, apparently, David Westerfield.

Westerfield's motorhome didn't contain any of his fingerprints, but did have one print from Danielle L. (the daughter of Westerfield's ex-girlfriend), Jennifer (a friend of Danielle L.), and a partial from Danielle Van Dam.

The prosecution said yesterday that they would be finished "in seven court days".

[Helen]

Couldn't it be the position a hand would take if someone were steadying him/herself to carry something with the other hand that had weight to it?

[mommya]

About Danielle's print in the RV - didn't the fingerprint guy testify that this print was very strong - that they lifted the print twice and it was still visible to the naked eye? Wouldn't that indicate that it was something more than her just touching that spot with a fairly clean dry hand? Seems like it must have been that her hand was wet or sticky with some substance - sure would be nice to know what that substance is - say some bodily fluid - or juicy lube - or whatever - it would be a great clue. Do you think they tried to find out? Would it be too late to do so now - after it's been blackened with powder and lifted twice?

[UCANSEE2]

Remember, Bill Libby's WIFE was out of town, how convenient.

Bill Libby had a 'date' with Brenda that she apparently didn't show up for.

[UCANSEE2]

Good night. gotta go.

[Karson]

I doubt there is a list for us. Seems one tech said there were over 300 "knowns" for the VD house alone. That included all the LEO folks too, I think.

All: If I'm wrong on any of this, please correct me.

[today]

Recent court room photos show Danielle's
fingerprints inside the motorhome.

San Diego Headline News
http://www.primenews.com

[mommya]

Do you think prints from the construction guys could really still be there after like 4 or 5 years on a place such as a handrail that's touched all the time - and probably cleaned at least once in a while? Maybe if it was in some obscure place where no one had ever touched since your house was built - but in a high traffic area like the stair rail - I just can't see that.

[BigBobber]

In my experience, it is very unusual for palm prints to be in LE records. That is, a few months ago I had official prints taken that went into the California database. They took only finger prints: the tips of each finger individually and the four fingers together - never the palm.

Perhaps since there is an unknown palm print, all the known persons need to have palm prints taken. Did any of the attorneys even ask that question? Are there palm prints to compare to?

I don't think it's that unusual that the Pizza Party gang does not have prints in the house, or DW in the MH. To get a good print you have to touch a smooth, hard surface. These are the surfaces that are normally cleaned in day-to-day life---table tops, dishes, etc. Touching upholstered funiture, carpets, clothing, even textured walls, is not going to leave a useable print.

[Rheo]

Here are transcribed moments from today:

another print on slider...door handle above frame..mid door..left palm..outside....no ID

3rd segment of railing...closest to cabinet at top of stairs is the un IDable print

Cannot identify print out of 325 known prints obtained at VD's

Jennifers print came from the window right next to the cabinet....

The print was not the pizza people or the LEO (they had LEO give prints to eliminate)

prints from side door inside.(18)...his sense is outside side garage door.....outside screen door frame, patio glass, etc....going to break

went to MH for 3 reasons...measurements, after PH..heard back of earring was missing..wanted to search for it..did not find (not part of his job but high interest), horiz cabinets looked like they hadn't been powdered so he wanted to do it....found usuable latents...not identified

Non ID'd in MH did not match non ID'd at VD's

DVDs prints on side door to garage door..inside and out.....

non Id'd print on side door was 8-12" above knob on inside

[John Jamieson]

I'd ask Mr. Dusek where his murder case is.

I'd ask Mr. Feldman for his business card, in case I need an lawyer.

[Rheo]

There were over 325 prints taken...122 usuable...did not specify or I did not hear how many knowns were used....LEO was included to eliminate from bannister...(VD home)

[Karson]

Couldn't it be the position a hand would take if someone were steadying him/herself to carry something with the other hand that had weight to it?

That would seem very awkward to me if I was going downstairs and needed to steady myself, to reach across in front of myself to hold onto the rail. JMO

[sbnsd]

Do you think prints from the construction guys could really still be there after like 4 or 5 years on a place such as a handrail that's touched all the time - and probably cleaned at least once in a while?

How about maids, babysitters, grandparents, visiting friends of their kids, etc.?

[Valpal1]

Depends on when you last had some work done. For the handrail, people wipe the top, but not always the sides or underside. I'm not very clear where exactly on the rail the print is, just that it faced downward.

[theirjustdue]

Other than the partiers, I believe he was the only other non-family member that was scheduled/rumored to be in the VD house either Thursday or Friday.

Yes UCANSEE2, I too would hope they have palm prints for Bill Libby, Neil and the entire pizza bunch.

With three children in the home at the time, I seriously doubt prints would last long, before the kids run their hands down the rail, so I would think the odds are that they are fairly fresh.

This could be very significant, or it could be Danielle's palm print. I know they hydrated her fingers, but, unless I missed it (and I may very well have), I have heard nothing of her palms having been hydrated for printing.

[mommya]

yeah - those are the people you'd know had been there - you could get thier prints for comparison - right?

[Karson]

Thank you very much! I was trying to rely on memory and it's not all that great. LOL

[Karson]

3rd segment of railing...closest to cabinet at top of stairs is the un IDable print

[Karson]

I'm not positive but I believe the tech said the palm prints belong to an adult. I could be wrong tho.

It's late and I need to get out of here. Goodnight all.

[Rheo]

Don't feel bad...I typed it and still didn't remember it.