2.Michael Riddle — Direct/Cross (Part 1)
343 linesMR. FALLON: State would call Mike Riddle.
COURT CLERK: Please raise your right hand.
MICHAEL RIDDLE, called as a witness herein, having been first duly sworn, was examined and testified as follows:
COURT CLERK: Please be seated. Please state your name and spell your last name for the record.
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Michael Riddle, R-i-d-d-l-e.
DIRECT EXAMINATION BY ATTORNEY FALLON:
MR. FALLON: What do you do for a living?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: I work at the Wisconsin State Crime Lab in Madison where I'm a latent fingerprint and footwear examiner.
MR. FALLON: And I'm sorry, I didn't hear the end of it?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Latent fingerprint and footwear examiner for the Wisconsin State Crime Lab in Madison.
MR. FALLON: And how long have you been employed at the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: About 14 and a half years.
MR. FALLON: Do you have any prior experience in the field of fingerprinting, palm print analysis, elsewhere?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, I started in Mississippi in about 1988. I started in fingerprints there and worked there for several years and came up here in 1992.
MR. FALLON: And what are your official duties; in other words, in your current role as an examiner, what is it that you do?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: I receive evidence from agencies to be processed for the presence of latent fingerprints. We process the evidence and the prints are obtained. We compare the prints to standard fingerprint cards. If identifications are made, whether they are made or not, we report on our findings and at times are required to also testify in court as to our findings.
MR. FALLON: Have you received any specialized training to assist you in performing these duties?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, I have. When I first started in 1988, I worked under a certified examiner for three years, received almost 300 hours of training through the FBI Academy in Quantico. And at the end of a three year internship, I tested with the International Association For Identification for my certification, which I passed the test and have been certified ever since.
MR. FALLON: All right. Any estimate as to how many fingerprints or palm prints you have been asked to examine in your career as an examiner?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Literally hundreds of thousands.
MR. FALLON: Now, you mentioned this -- an organization, tell us about this organization that you mentioned.
MICHAEL RIDDLE: The International Association For Identification certifies people in many different disciplines. One of them is including fingerprints, footwear, crime scene. They are an organization that not only certifies us, but has yearly conferences and educational conferences. We attend different meetings.
MR. FALLON: You mentioned something about a certification, tell us about that.
MICHAEL RIDDLE: The certification process with the IAI is -- I think it's twofold. If you have a college degree, you have to internship for three years. I believe that's the way it is. It may have changed since I took it. But for me it was three years.
With a high school diploma, I think you can be certified with eight years under a certified examiner, before you are even eligible to take that test. You have to pass a test that is, I think, three phase. There's the latent print test. You have to show where you testified in court successfully. You have to prepare a court chart and have that approved by them. And then there's also a written test on top of that. You have to pass all these phases before you can become certified.
MR. FALLON: And how long have you held this certification?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Since 1991.
MR. FALLON: What kind of equipment do you normally use as an examiner?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Well, in processing through latent prints, we use several types of methods. We use super glue chambers, where we fume evidence and try to develop --
(Court reporter couldn't hear.)
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yeah, super glue fuming chambers. And we'll place the evidence in these chambers and fume them to develop latent prints. And then take it a step farther and add dye stains and look at them under laser lights and try to look at the real fingerprints that may not be visible even with the super glue. Then we use magnetic powder or regular powder, use different methods of lifting them also.
MR. FALLON: Is there a substance that's called ninhydrin?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, there is.
MR. FALLON: And what is that?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Ninhydrin is used on porous surfaces such as cardboard and paper. It reacts with amino acids in the fingerprints, turns purple, leaving a pattern of ridge detail behind. We have to use that on porous items because it doesn't work well with powders or super glue.
MR. FALLON: Now, have you had occasion to identify persons by comparing latent fingerprints or palm prints with their own ink fingerprints or palm prints?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, I have.
MR. FALLON: Any estimate as to approximately how often that's occurred?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: I probably make several identifications on a weekly basis.
MR. FALLON: All right. Now, have you had -- been called upon to express opinions in courts of law regarding your findings on identification or the lack of an identification?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, I have.
MR. FALLON: And approximately how often have you been asked to render such opinions in a court of law?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: I don't know the exact number here in Wisconsin, probably between 40 and 50 times. In Mississippi, was probably closer to 150, 200 times.
MR. FALLON: Now, you used the term, and I thought it might be a good idea at this point to define some of these terms, lets begin with, what is an inked print?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: An inked print is when a thin layer of printer's ink is rolled across the top of the surfaces of the ridges of your fingers. And the fingers are rolled out on a white receiving surface such as a fingerprint card, leaving a lasting impression of the fingerprint detail.
MR. FALLON: Is an inked print, is that also sometimes referred to as a standard?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, it is. That's what they are.
MR. FALLON: And what do we mean by that?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: A standard print is where it's a known print. It's a print that we know who it is. We have inked the fingers. We rolled the fingers out. And we have identified the person who these fingerprints were taken. That would be the standard.
MR. FALLON: And what is a latent print?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Latent print is also known as a crime scene print or a hidden or invisible print. These are typically found at a crime scene by the use of powder. They have to be brought out and developed with powders or chemicals.
MR. FALLON: And is there such a thing, I have heard expressed a patent print?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, there is.
MR. FALLON: What is that?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: A patent print is a visible print, a print that you can see that is left in maybe blood, or grease, or dirt. Doesn't have to be developed or brought out.
MR. FALLON: Are there different distinguishing characteristics of a fingerprint or a palm print that makes identification possible?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, in the fingers, you usually start out with different pattern types; loops, swirls, and arches. But these don't fully distinguish between people, because everybody has some of these patterns in their hands. But we have individual characteristics within the pattern area, such as ending ridges, dots, islands. The placement of those individual characteristics in the pattern area, compared to the standard print, is what makes them unique.
MR. FALLON: Are fingerprints specific to each individual?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, they are.
MR. FALLON: In your experience, have you ever found two people with identical fingerprints?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: No, I have not.
MR. FALLON: Just generally, what are the basic factors that you would use in analysis of fingerprints, to determine identification?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: First thing I would look at is pattern type. If I'm looking at a latent print, it's a loop, and a standard, it's an arch, I can eliminate it automatically. If the pattern type is the same, then I look for the individual characteristics within that pattern area. If I were to find an ending ridge in a certain part of a latent print in identification, I would expect to find that same ending ridge following in the print standard.
MR. FALLON: Now, is it possible -- Well, let me first ask, what kind of surfaces are you generally called upon to examine and look for the presence of latent fingerprints?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: All kinds of surfaces. Some of them are good, some of them aren't very good.
MR. FALLON: All right. And in your experience, what are some of the areas, or if I can use the phrase richest area, and which one is likely to find a latent print suitable for examination?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Hard, smooth surfaces are best. Rough surfaces are more difficult. Some porous surfaces, such as paper, is also very good. Some porous surfaces such as styrofoam are very bad. It depends upon the nature of the surface and the condition of a person's skin as to how -- latent prints and how good they are.
MR. FALLON: And does the presence or absence of perspiration from an individual, is that a factor that is known to contribute whether or not a print is actually left behind?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, a person with normally dry hands is probably less likely to leave latent prints than would be somebody with oily skin or very sweaty hands.
MR. FALLON: All right. And directing your attention to this particular case, how did you first become involved in this investigation?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Well, I came to work on November 7th, on a Monday morning, and I was informed by my unit leader that a vehicle had been brought in in relation to this case and I was assigned to process the vehicle for the presence of latent finger and/or palm prints and also to inventory the contents of the vehicle.
MR. FALLON: And that vehicle was a Toyota RAV4?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: That's correct.
MR. FALLON: Let's begin with your inventory and proceed from there. First of all, tell us, what is an inventory?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Inventory is just a itemization of everything we find within the vehicle. What I did in this case is I started with the front seat passenger side and I inventoried everything that was in there. Front seat driver side, middle console. I put the vehicle into quadrants and inventoried each one individually.
MR. FALLON: All right. During the course of your inventory, did you find a compact flashcard?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, I did.
MR. FALLON: Cargo area?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, I did.
MR. FALLON: All right. I'm going to have Investigator Fassbender show you an exhibit.
(Exhibit 496 marked for identification.)
THOMAS FASSBENDER: 496.
MR. FALLON: Thank you.
MR. FALLON: (By Attorney Fallon)~ Agent Fassbender is showing you what has been marked for identification purposes as Exhibit 496; do you recognize it?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, I do.
MR. FALLON: What is Exhibit 496?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: It is a Verbatim compact flash memory card with the name Teresa on it.
MR. FALLON: All right. And from what location in the vehicle was that flash card obtained?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: It was in the rear of the vehicle, in the cargo area, behind the left passenger seat in the rear.
MR. FALLON: All right. I'm going to have my colleague show Exhibit 300 on the screen. Do you see the presence of this flash card, Exhibit 496; is that present --
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, it is.
MR. FALLON: -- in the picture depicted in Exhibit 300?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, it is.
MR. FALLON: I believe there is a laser pointer to your immediate right there; do you think you could point that out for us, please?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Be right there.
MR. FALLON: All right. Thank you. During the course of your inventorying of the vehicle here in question, did you find a compact disk carrying case?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, I did.
MR. FALLON: And where was the compact disk carrying case located?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: I believe that was in the front passenger side area.
MR. FALLON: All right. I'm having counsel show you exhibit, what appears to be 292; do you recognize that?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, I do.
MR. FALLON: And is that the compact disk carrying case that you inventoried in this particular case?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, it is.
MR. FALLON: And is that the location in which you first observed it when you began your inventory?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, I did.
MR. FALLON: And, finally, during the course of your inventory of the contents of this vehicle, did you find an Air National Guard lanyard?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, I did.
MR. FALLON: All right. I'm going to have Exhibit 287 displayed to you at this time; do you recognize that exhibit?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, I do.
MR. FALLON: And is that the Air National Guard lanyard that you observed in the RAV4 vehicle?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, it is.
MR. FALLON: And if you recall, can you tell us the approximate location of that lanyard?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, it was in the center console between the driver's -- front driver's seat and the front passenger seat.
MR. FALLON: I'm going to have Exhibit 293 displayed on the screen for you. If you would take your pointer and tell us the approximate location of that, if you can, with the use of this exhibit.
MICHAEL RIDDLE: It would be in the center console right in there.
MR. FALLON: I see there are a bottle of Aquafina water and some other items?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: That's correct.
MR. FALLON: And you are pointing to the area between the two seats?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: That's correct.
MR. FALLON: Thank you. How long did the processing of the vehicle -- your part of the processing of this vehicle take?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: I worked on the vehicle for most of that day and the part of the next.
MR. FALLON: And during -- Specifically to -- directing your attention to November 8th, did you have occasion to examine a wheel cover?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, I did.
MR. FALLON: And did you examine it for the possibility of fingerprint analysis?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, I did.
MR. FALLON: Tell us about that.
MICHAEL RIDDLE: The wheel cover on the back of it had impressions, for fingerprint impressions. You can see them on the top of it, but it was so dirty that actually there weren't any impressions left behind. It was more of the take away. If you have a really dirty surface and you touch it with your fingers, there's no way you can leave the impression behind, but you are picking all the dirt up and that's where the impressions are. You are taking it away, you are not putting it down.
MR. FALLON: I'm showing you Exhibit 308, does that look familiar to you?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, it does.
MR. FALLON: And I note, prominently on the top of the wheel cover there, there appears some smudge marks that actually look like fingerprints?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: That's correct.
MR. FALLON: All right. Tell us exactly what we're looking at.
MICHAEL RIDDLE: If you see this, you can tell that this is all real dirty. This is just covered with road grime and you can see what appears to be fingerprint impressions here and down here, where somebody put a right and left hand on here. Unfortunately, when we processed, there's no ridge detail to develop because most of this is just dirt and it lifted up and there was -- no latent prints were put down. The other ones that were visible would be down here at the bottom, but as you can see, these are basically smears, no ridge detail in any one of those.
MR. FALLON: So is that what you mean by this concept of a take away?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: That's correct.
MR. FALLON: In other words, whatever was there was removed by the hands; in fact, it could even have been gloves that caused that?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: That's correct.
MR. FALLON: All right. Now, we're on this concept of fingerprint analysis, did you process the vehicle for possible fingerprint analysis?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, I did.
MR. FALLON: And in terms of your specific recollection here, did you -- you processed the vehicle as a whole, I take it?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: That's correct.
MR. FALLON: And outside?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Outside an inside, yes.
MR. FALLON: All right. And in terms of the items that you examined in -- Well, let's start with the outside of the car. Were you able to develop any prints that were useful or suitable for follow up examination?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, I was.
MR. FALLON: And approximately how many prints did you locate, suitable for examination?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: I believe there was a total of eight areas where there was prints that were suitable for comparison.
MR. FALLON: All right. In terms of the interior of the vehicle, did you examine any of the items you inventoried for the presence of latent prints?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, I did.
MR. FALLON: And give us a ballpark idea of approximately how many items or the nature and type of items you looked at.
MICHAEL RIDDLE: I looked at the three Aquafina bottles. I also processed a granola wrapper that was found in the back of the vehicle, the CD case was also processed. And several other items that ...
MR. FALLON: A blinker light, lug wrench?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: A blinker light kit, lug wrench.
MR. FALLON: In addition to the wheel cover you just told us about?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: That's correct.
MR. FALLON: During the course of your analysis, did you also examine the license plates?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, I did.
MR. FALLON: And the license plates that you examined, were you able to identify anything suitable on either plate for purposes of subsequent analysis?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: No, I was not.
MR. FALLON: Now, in and effort to make an identification or something to compare it to, you would need standards; is that correct?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: That's correct.
MR. FALLON: In your effort to identify anyone as being the -- having put those prints on the items that you were able to identify, what standards did you have available to you; do you recall?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: I don't recall the whole list of them. I know I had Steven Avery's. I had a lot of the Avery family's. I believe the wrecker drivers submitted standards also.
MR. FALLON: So if I were to read you a list of names, would you recognize and be able to tell us as to whether or not you had standards or compar -- from these individuals to assist you in your -- conducting your analysis?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes.
MR. FALLON: All right. Allen Avery?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, I did.
MR. FALLON: Steven Avery?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes.
MR. FALLON: Charles Avery?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes.
MR. FALLON: Earl Avery?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, I did.
MR. FALLON: Delores Avery?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes.
MR. FALLON: Bobby Dassey?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes.
MR. FALLON: Brian Dassey?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes.
MR. FALLON: Brendan Dassey?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes.
MR. FALLON: Barb Janda?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes.
MR. FALLON: Scott Bloedorn?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes.
MR. FALLON: James Lenk?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes -- Not to the vehicle.
MR. FALLON: Not to the vehicle. But eventually those -- you had those prints as well?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: That's correct.
MR. FALLON: And Andrew Colborn?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: That's correct.
MR. FALLON: All right. Let's start with the vehicle. With respect to the prints that you had and you indicated you had 8 latent prints from the Toyota itself?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: That's correct.
MR. FALLON: That were suitable for analysis. Were any identifications effective?
MR. FALLON: How about the Sunbelt crunchy granola bar wrapper, were there any identifications effected in your comparison of that print with any of the standards submitted?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: No, there were not.
MR. FALLON: The bottle of Aquafina water, were any identifications effected there?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: No, they were not.
MR. FALLON: On the black CD carrying case, were any identifications effective from that analysis?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: No, sir.
MR. FALLON: On the partially full bottle of Aquafina water, were any identifications effective?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: No, sir.
MR. FALLON: At some point was a headboard from a bed submitted to you for fingerprint analysis?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, it was.
MR. FALLON: And that headboard was represented to you as having come from the residence of Steven Avery; is that correct?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: That's correct.
MR. FALLON: All right. Was there an identification effective there?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, there was.
MR. FALLON: And what was that?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: I believe it was the right little fingerprint of Steven Avery.
MR. FALLON: Were any other fingerprint identifications effected with respect to that item?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: No, there were not.
MR. FALLON: All right. At some point were you asked, during the course of this investigation, to examine a letter which was directed to the Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, I was.
MR. FALLON: Were you able to develop any latent prints from that letter which were suitable for analysis or comparison?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: No, I was not.
MR. FALLON: So it would be fair to say that no identification could be effected from that examination?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: That's correct.
MR. FALLON: All right. At some point -- Recently, were you asked to examine a cardboard box reputedly to have contained a vial of blood?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: That's correct, I was.
MR. FALLON: All right. Did you examine any prints from that box?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, I did.
MR. FALLON: And so that we're clear, where did you obtain the prints from?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: I obtained the prints, I believe, from Calumet County Sheriff's Office, the standards.
MR. FALLON: That would have been from Deputy Hawkins?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: That's correct.
MR. FALLON: All right. And you used those standards and you made a comparison to prints of whom?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Lenk, and I can't remember. I can check my notes.
MR. FALLON: Sure, please.
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Andrew Colborn and James Lenk.
MR. FALLON: All right. With respect to your analysis of the cardboard box, and the prints lifted from that box, were any identifications effected?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: No there were not.
MR. FALLON: I'm going to show you Exhibit 473. And in the background, does that look like the box that you -- First of all, let me just ask, that's a poor question. Let me back up before I go there, I misspoke. Did you also examine a blood vial?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, I did.
MR. FALLON: All right. And, again, directing your attention to Exhibit 473, does that look like the vial which you were asked to examine in this particular case?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, it does.
MR. FALLON: All right. How did the vial come to your attention?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Came to my attention, I believe it was sent by Jeremy Hawkins also from Calumet County?
MR. FALLON: And had that vial previously been to the FBI for some type of analysis, upon your receipt of it?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: As far as I know it had, yes.
MR. FALLON: All right. And were you able to process the vial for any latent prints for examination?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, I did.
MR. FALLON: All right. Were any prints located on the vial?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: There was some very faint ridge detail, but nothing suitable for comparison was developed.
MR. FALLON: So you weren't able to identify that ridge detail, wasn't sufficient for identification purposes?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: That's correct.
MR. FALLON: Your Honor this might be a good point to break for lunch.
THE COURT: All right. Members of the jury, we'll break for lunch at this time and resume at 1:00. I remind you not to discuss the case during the lunch hour.
(Jury not present.)
THE COURT: You may be seated. Counsel, then, I will see you back at 1:00.
MR. FALLON: All right. Thank you.
(Recess taken.)
(Jury present.)
THE COURT: Mr. Fallon, at this time you may resume your direct examination.
MR. FALLON: Yes, thank you, Judge. I see that we have the exhibit available. I would like to ask Special Agent Fassbender to obtain the exhibit for the vial of blood.
DIRECT EXAMINATION CONTD. BY ATTORNEY FALLON:
MR. FALLON: Mr. Riddle, I'm having Special Agent Fassbender show you what has been received in evidence as Exhibit 478. Do you recognize that item?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, I do.
MR. FALLON: And what is 478?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: That's the container holding the vial of blood.
MR. FALLON: All right. And are there some crime lab tape markings on the outside exterior of that exhibit?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, there is. I sealed this myself, and there's my initials and date it was sealed right there.
MR. FALLON: All right. And what is the date of the seal on that?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: February 26th of this year.
MR. FALLON: All right. And Agent Fassbender would lift the tube out. Do you recognize the contents of the exhibit?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, I do.
MR. FALLON: And did you examine the vial which is contained inside that exhibit?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, I did.
MR. FALLON: All right. And that is the item which you attempted to process the prints from; is that correct?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: That's correct.
MR. FALLON: And as I understand it, you said there was just one ridge print?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: There was very, very faint ridge detail that was unsuitable for comparison, on the tube.
MR. FALLON: So no identification could be effected?
MR. FALLON: I will pass the witness for cross-examination.
THE COURT: Mr. Buting.
MR. BUTING: Thank you, Judge.
CROSS-EXAMINATION BY ATTORNEY BUTING:
MR. BUTING: Good afternoon, Mr. Riddle.
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Good afternoon.
MR. BUTING: You have been a fingerprint examiner for, now, how many years?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: 19 years.
MR. BUTING: 19 years. And about 14 of it, I think, was with Wisconsin?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: It will be 15 years in August, yes, sir.
MR. BUTING: Okay. And in that capacity are you often called to the scene of alleged crime or offense?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: I have been on field response in the past, not for the last three years, however.
MR. BUTING: Typically you are just -- you just receive items that are brought to you by the law enforcement authorities?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: That's correct.
MR. BUTING: Okay. And is it in your experience that officers would tend to bring items that they think are important to their investigation?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, that's correct.
MR. BUTING: Items that they think might help identify who a suspect is?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: That's correct.
MR. BUTING: Sometimes completely unknown person they don't have any idea and they are just looking to see if you can link somebody up?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: That's correct.
MR. BUTING: Some of those items might be, let's say, something that's a suspected murder weapon in a homicide case, right?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: That's correct.
MR. BUTING: Like a knife that they think might have been used?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: That's correct.
MR. BUTING: Or a firearm that they think might have been used?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: That's correct.
MR. BUTING: Did you have the opportunity to look at a .22 Marlin rifle, for fingerprints in this case?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: I don't believe so, no.
MR. BUTING: You never had one of these officers from the State submit a .22 Marlin rifle for your analysis to see if you could find any fingerprints?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: No, they did not.
MR. BUTING: Hmm. How about any bullet cartridges or shell cases, did you ever get any of those?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: I didn't receive any of those items, no, sir.
MR. BUTING: Do you know -- Do you know anything about firearms yourself?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Very little, some.
MR. BUTING: Do you know how you have to load a .22 with shells, cartridges?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Are you referring to a rifle or a revolver?
MR. BUTING: Rifle.
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Depending on the type of rifle, whether it's bolt action or semiautomatic, there is a big difference.
MR. BUTING: Okay. So, if it's a semi-automatic, there's like a little cartridge, or a little tube that goes in underneath the barrel?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: That's correct.
MR. BUTING: And in order to fire it, one has to pickup cartridges, which are fairly small, about an inch and a half or so, right?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: That's correct.
MR. BUTING: And in doing that, then they have to load them one, by one, by one into a tube.
MICHAEL RIDDLE: That's correct.
MR. BUTING: And have you ever been able to -- Have you ever examined any cartridge cases before?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, I have.
MR. BUTING: Have you ever been able to find any kind of fingerprints on them?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Very seldom but, yes, I have.
MR. BUTING: Okay.
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Not on a .22, though, sir.
MR. BUTING: But you didn't in this case?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: No, sir.
MR. BUTING: No one even gave you cartridges to look at in this case?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: That's correct.
MR. BUTING: While we're on the subject of important items that maybe law enforcement might give you to look at, how about if they find what they believe is some personal item of a victim, in the bedroom of a suspect, is that something they might want to bring to you or you might be asked to look for fingerprints?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: I would assume so, yes.
MR. BUTING: Any officer ever bring you a Toyota car key to look at?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: No, they did not.
MR. BUTING: The -- Let me move ahead for a minute and then I will go back to the RAV4. I'm going to show you what's marked as Exhibit 497. Put your glasses on, see if you can identify that for me, please.
MICHAEL RIDDLE: That's a report that I issued on December 5th of 2006, with the results of the Item KT, letter to the Manitowoc Sheriff's Office that I had processed for prints.
MR. BUTING: Okay. Before we talk about that any more, just so no one is confused, there's some -- this isn't an original of yours, right?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: No, it is not.
MR. BUTING: This is a copy of this. Some numbering at the bottom that says State 1-9371, sort of a Bate stamp kind of a thing? That's not normally on your report, right?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: No, it is not.
MR. BUTING: Something that we have got that helps us, but otherwise does this appear to be a accurate copy of the report that you prepared?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: Yes, it does.
MR. BUTING: And attached to it, would you tell me what's attached to this?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: That's a copy of my handwritten notes.
MR. BUTING: Okay. And keep going, what's attached to that?
MICHAEL RIDDLE: It's a copy of a letter that was submitted, Item KT.
MR. BUTING: Okay. Let me put this up on the ELMO, so we can talk about it that way.