Examination of 35 mm Color Transparencies

Forensic Document Services (FDS) was engaged by the New South Wales Police to examine 157 35 mm color transparencies (positives) and a 35 mm camera to assist in the investigation of the disappearance of a young girl. The purpose of the examinations was twofold: first, to determine whether 2 or more of the transparencies originally formed part of the same roll of 35 mm film and, second, whether any of these films had been exposed using the suspect camera. The combination of the findings revealed that the transparencies originated from 26 rolls of film and were exposed using at least 2 different cameras, one of which was the camera submitted for examination. The methodology applied in this examination is equally applicable to the examination of negatives.