Michael Turner
Immediate answer: the satchel contained five catalogued objects – a counterfeit passport (name: “A. Mercer”, DOB: 1979-04-12; passport number X12345678; holographic laminate damaged), a compact semi-automatic handgun (Glock 19, 9×19mm; serial obliterated; magazine with 10 rounds), three encrypted USB drives (SanDisk 64GB ×2, Kingston 128GB; total 256GB; VeraCrypt containers labeled “proj_a”, “proj_b”, “keys”), a leather-bound ledger with 27 dated financial entries covering 2017–2020 listing USD and EUR amounts, and a folded handwritten envelope dated 2019-11-03 addressed with initials “M.L.”.
Recommendation: prioritize immediate safety – secure the firearm using standard weapons-handling procedures, document load state, photograph from multiple angles, bag and tag separately, then place in an evidence locker. For digital media, image each device through a hardware write-blocker, generate SHA-256 hashes, log make/model/serials, and store originals in tamper-evident containment. For paper documents and the passport, produce 600 DPI scans, transcribe entries, and retain originals for forensic ink and handwriting analysis.
Operational checklist for investigators and reporters: publish an itemized inventory with identifying details (serials, dates, capacities) only after legal review; attach timestamped photographs and chain-of-custody records; list forensic tools and hash values used for imaging; redact personal identifiers unless clearance obtained. If indicators of violent intent or financial crime appear, notify law enforcement and provide a secure tipline for anonymous information submission.
Contents Revealed: Robin Attache Inventory
Primary inventory: leather notebook (Moleskine, 120 pages, numbered), Parker fountain pen with fine nib (black ink cartridge), eight Polaroids dated 2019-04-12, US passport (expired 2021), laminated RFID keycard (MIFARE Classic), folded cash in mixed denominations totaling $200, prototype PCB with nine SMD components and a hand-soldered header, SIM card sleeve containing two micro-SIMs (UK and Netherlands carriers), bundle of hotel receipts adding to $1,427, 30 ml antiseptic gel, compact LED flashlight, and a slim stainless-steel multitool.
- Photograph every item on neutral background at 50–100 cm distance, use 24+ megapixel sensor if available; save master images as uncompressed TIFF and create JPEG working copies.
- Assign sequential evidence numbers, label each envelope with date/time/location of recovery, collector name, and brief description (e.g., E01 – Moleskine notebook).
- Place electronics (SIMs, PCB, keycard) in anti-static, RFID-blocking sleeves; place organic items (notebook, receipts) in paper evidence bags to avoid moisture buildup.
- For cash, record serial numbers of bills above $50 and submit to currency verification if counterfeit suspected.
Analytical actions to perform within first 72 hours:
- Fingerprint lift: use cyanoacrylate fuming for the multitool and keycard, powder lift for paper items; document method and success rate per item.
- Handwriting comparison: scan notebook pages at 600 dpi and forward samples to a certified document examiner along with known exemplars.
- For SIMs and PCB: perform forensic imaging with write-blocked reader; extract IMSI/IMEI info, recent call logs, SMS headers, and any stored contact entries. For PCB, run optical inspection, X-ray microfocus if component placement ambiguous, and trace power/data lines to identify function.
- RFID keycard analysis: read sector access patterns with a Proxmark3; check for manufacturer ID and any custom sectors containing stored data.
- Photograph Polaroids front and back under consistent color temperature; run EXIF/metadata checks on associated digital images or receipts for timestamp correlation.
- Chain-of-custody: maintain signed transfer record each time an item moves; store primary evidence in climate-controlled facility (18–22°C, 30–50% RH).
- Communication: notify relevant investigative unit with itemized inventory and preliminary findings within 24 hours; provide TIFF masters and device images via secure transfer (SFTP with AES-256).
- Preservation priority: prioritize perishable inks and photographic prints first, then electronics; if immediate analysis unavailable, freeze wet or mold-prone material at -20°C in breathable packaging.
- Data correlation: cross-reference receipt timestamps, Polaroid dates, and passport validity to build a time-sequenced chart; use spreadsheet with GMT-normalized timestamps for clarity.
Document checklist: Catalog receipts, contracts, and IDs recovered from a personal case
Scan every paper receipt at 300 DPI, color, save as searchable PDF/A-2b; filename format: 20250821_STARBUCKS_0045_USD.pdf (YYYYMMDD_VENDOR_ABBR_AMOUNT_CURRENCY). Include one photographed image of the original receipt saved as IMG_20250821_001.jpg for visual reference.
For contracts, scan full document at 600 DPI, include a separate scan of each signature page; save master file as CONTRACT_
ID documents: photograph front and back on neutral background with even lighting; capture MRZ or barcode where present. Save as ID_
Master index spreadsheet columns (example header row): ItemUID, Category (RCT/CTR/ID), Date(YYYY-MM-DD), ShortDescription, FullNameOrVendor, Amount, Currency, ContractID, IDType, ScanFilePath, PhotoFilePath, PageCount, PhysicalBox, Shelf, RetentionExpiry(YYYY-MM-DD), RedactionFlag(TRUE/FALSE), ChainOfCustodyLink.
Naming codes and sequence: ItemUID = CASE-2025-0001-RCT01 (CASE-YYYY-####-TYPE##); Category codes: RCT=receipt, CTR=contract, GOVID=government ID, CIVID=civil ID. Use zero-padded sequence numbers to preserve sort order.
OCR and verification: run OCR on PDF/A at 300–600 DPI; set language to primary document language; accept text with confidence ≥85% automatically; queue lower-confidence pages for manual correction. Extract numeric fields (dates, amounts, ID numbers) into index and validate with regex patterns (date = d{4}-d{2}-d{2}, currency = [A-Z]{3}, amount = d+.d{2}).
Retention and disposition guidelines: receipts – retain 6 years from issue date for tax/audit support; contracts – retain 7 years after contract termination or final payment, whichever later; government-issued IDs – retain copies no longer than 1 year after identity verification unless statutory requirement exists. For disposal of paper: cross-cut shred or incinerate; for electronic: overwrite and cryptographic erase according to NIST SP 800-88 guidance.
Security and provenance: store originals and master index in encrypted storage (AES-256); maintain two backups (one encrypted onsite, one encrypted offsite). Record chain-of-custody entries as timestamped log rows: LogID, ItemUID, Action(INTAKE/SCAN/RELEASE/DESTROY), OperatorID, Timestamp(ISO8601), Notes, SignatureHash. Compute and store SHA-256 checksums for every digital file and verify on each transfer or restore.
Handling fragile paper: Step-by-step preservation of letters and photographs
Maintain storage at 60–68°F (15–20°C) with relative humidity 30–40%; target 30–35% RH for gelatin-based photographic materials and keep light exposure below 50 lux when items are displayed.
Materials
Powder-free nitrile gloves; clean, soft camel-hair brush; vinyl-free microspatula; archival polyester (Mylar/Melinex) sleeves or polypropylene sleeves (polyester for encapsulation, polypropylene for pockets); buffered acid-free folders for papers, unbuffered acid-free tissue for photographs; archival-quality boxes (pH neutral or buffered board, lignin-free); Japanese tissue and wheat starch paste (5–7% solids) for tear repair; glassine interleaving paper; weighted blotters or archival blotting boards; soft cotton or polyester support pads; stainless-steel micro-clip removers; pH pen for spot testing; small desiccant packets for short-term shipping.
Step-by-step preservation
1. Inspect visually under indirect light while wearing nitrile gloves; record condition, tears, silvering, flaking emulsion, stains, insect holes, or active mold. Photograph items for reference using RAW capture and a color card.
2. Remove fasteners: cut around deeply rusted staples and remove loose fragments; place removed metal in a labeled container. Do not use household tape or adhesive on tears.
3. Surface-clean dry dirt with a soft brush held at a low angle; for grime use a vulcanized rubber sponge (smoke sponge) with light strokes. Avoid erasers on brittle inks or soft pencil.
4. Flatten creases using humidity only when safe: place item on a stainless-steel mesh above distilled-water in a sealed chamber at 70–80% RH for 3–8 hours, then transfer between blotters under 1–2 kg evenly distributed weight until dry (24–48 hours). Do not humidify photographs with soluble image layers; consult a conservator for photographic flattening.
5. Repair tears with Japanese tissue and wheat starch paste (5–7%): trim tissue to 1–2 mm overlap, apply paste sparingly with a hake brush, realign fibers, blot excess adhesive, and dry under light weight on blotter for 12–24 hours.
6. Encapsulate unstable items using archival polyester: cut sleeve 6–12 mm larger than item, slide item centered, seal the top edge with archival tape or ultrasonic weld; leave open or include a small tab to allow air exchange if items were recently humidified.
7. Interleave photographs with unbuffered tissue; store photographs vertically in shallow boxes with rigid 4‑ply board supports to prevent slumping. Place letter-sized papers in buffered folders, then into acid-free boxes labeled with content and date range.
8. Quarantine moldy or insect-damaged material in sealed polyethylene bags and freeze at −18°C for 48–72 hours to halt biological activity; label as quarantined and consult a conservator before thawing or cleaning.
9. Avoid adhesives, pressure-sensitive labels, staples, paper clips, rubber bands, and lamination. If transit protection is needed, pad boxes and avoid placing heavy items on top; include desiccant packets for short shipments only.
10. Monitor storage monthly with a combined temperature/humidity data logger; replace desiccants and check for new damage. For high-value or severely degraded items, obtain treatment from a qualified paper conservator.
Keep storage areas dry, away from direct sunlight and household items that introduce moisture or debris (for example, outdoor gear such as best beach umbrellas for toddlers or stroller accessories like the best double umbrella stroller for newborn and toddler), and avoid basements and attics. For biological degradation mechanisms and how cellular processes affect organic binders see which organelles are involved in protein synthesis.
Extracting and imaging digital devices: Forensic steps for phones, USBs, and SD cards
Isolate and preserve state immediately: place mobile hardware in a Faraday pouch or use a shielded enclosure to block network access; photograph serial/IMEI and screen with timestamp; tag medium with unique evidence ID and chain-of-custody entry before handling.
For powered devices: if the screen is unlocked, keep it powered on and avoid interacting with the interface; place into radio-isolation. For locked or powered-off units, do not power on unless explicit authorization exists from a warrant that permits live acquisition.
For flash media (USB sticks, SD cards): never mount on an investigative workstation without a write-blocker. Use a hardware write-blocker or forensic duplicator (example models: Tableau, Logicube) to perform bit-for-bit capture.
Recommended imaging formats and tools: create both a raw image (.img/.dd) and a forensic container (E01 or AFF) where possible. Tools: FTK Imager, Guymager, dc3dd, ddrescue for corruption-tolerant copies. Example command for raw capture: dd if=/dev/sdb of=/evidence/usb01.img bs=4M conv=noerror,sync. For hashing-on-the-fly: dc3dd if=/dev/sdb of=/evidence/usb01.img hash=sha256,md5.
Hashing policy: compute at least MD5 and SHA-256 for the original device (where readable) and for every resulting image. Record hash values in the evidence log and include in the image metadata. Re-hash after transfer and before analysis to confirm integrity.
Mobile-specific acquisition routes: logical extraction via vendor tools or OS APIs when device permits (ADB for Android, iTunes/Apple Configurator for iOS backups where unlocked). For physical acquisition: consider logical and physical dumps; use commercial forensic platforms (e.g., Cellebrite UFED, MSAB XRY) when available and legally authorized. For Android with USB debugging enabled: use adb pull or create a block-level dump through an adb shell dd of /dev/block/mmcblk0 to authorized storage.
If filesystem is encrypted or locked and live access is unavailable, document all attempts and escalate to a specialist for JTAG or chip-off work only after risk assessment. Chip removal requires an electronics clean bench and NAND expertise; do not attempt in a regular exam room.
Damaged media handling: for physically compromised flash, avoid heating. If contacts are corroded, use controlled ultrasonic cleaning by a lab. For intermittent read errors, employ ddrescue with mapfile tracking: ddrescue -n /dev/sdb /evidence/usb01.img /evidence/usb01.mapfile, then run a second pass for retries.
Imaging best practices: document device make/model, serial, firmware version, battery level, SIM/SD presence, and network indicators. Photograph connectors and label port orientation. Use time-synchronized workstation clocks and attach examiner signature to each logged step.
Post-image verification and workflow: mount only verified images on a forensic workstation with read-only settings. Generate a file inventory and artifacts list (contacts, messages, call logs, logs from apps, timestamped files). Store originals in tamper-evident packaging and offline vault; keep working copies on dedicated analysis storage with separate hash verification for every copy operation.
Legal and documentation notes: obtain appropriate legal authorization for live extractions or advanced chip procedures; record authorization references in the chain-of-custody. Include tool versions and exact command lines used in the examination report to preserve reproducibility.
Assessing monetary items: Verifying cash, checks, and bank drafts found within a bag or case
Count and separate currency, negotiable instruments, and drafts immediately; place each category into consecutively numbered evidence envelopes, photograph front and back with a metric scale and item ID, then seal and sign each envelope.
Currency verification – procedural checklist
Initial handling: wear nitrile gloves, work under neutral light, handle notes by edges. Perform a two-person blind count for totals over $500; both counters sign the count sheet. Use a validated currency counter for bulk amounts; reconcile machine totals with manual counts.
Authenticity tests: run every suspicious denomination through a UV/IR light and magnetic ink detector; inspect for watermarks, security thread, microprinting, intaglio texture and misaligned serial numbers. Record serial numbers for all notes when total cash exceeds $1,000 or when notes show irregularities; log denomination, serial, condition, and any bank-issued markings.
Suspected counterfeits: isolate suspected notes in separate evidence envelopes, photograph high-resolution under oblique lighting, do not attempt chemical treatments, and notify law enforcement or relevant financial institution fraud unit within documented timeline (note call time, representative, badge/ID).
Checks and bank drafts – verification protocol
Immediate actions: preserve check faces and backs unflattened if folded; photograph with visible MICR line and endorsements. Transcribe MICR data manually and with OCR: routing number (9 digits for US), account number, check number; confirm formatting matches issuing bank standards.
Instrument authenticity: inspect for bank logos, embossing, watermark, microprint, security fibers and toner/ink consistency. For drafts, look for bank-issued stamp, branch ID, teller number and numbered reference–record all stamps and handwritten marks. For foreign instruments, note currency, IBAN/SWIFT identifiers and any translation of amounts.
Verification calls: contact issuing bank using publicly listed switchboard number (not a number printed on the instrument). Provide check number, amount, date of issue and payee; obtain verifier name, badge/ID and time stamp the call. If bank confirms issuance, request written confirmation via official email and save headers. If bank denies, tag item as uncollectible and escalate to investigators.
Deposit and legal handling: do not deposit questionable checks or drafts without documented clearance. Financial institutions may place holds; obtain copy of their hold policy and case number. Preserve chain-of-custody: item number, handler signatures, date/time of transfers, storage location; use tamper-evident seals and record seal numbers.
Recording and evidence retention: create a ledger entry per item with fields: evidence ID, category (cash/check/draft), amount, serial/MICR, payee, issuer, condition, photographed filenames, handling personnel and storage location. Retain originals in locked evidence storage for statutory retention period or until instructed by investigators or counsel.
