16th Annual Preservation Conference
(March 27, 2001)
2001, A Case Oddity: Preserving the Physical Evidence of Artifacts and Records
March 27, 2001
National Archives at College Park
8601 Adelphi Road
College Park, MD
The National Archives and Records Administration's Annual Preservation Conferences cover topics on the creation, use, exhibition, care-and-handling, conservation, duplication, and long-term storage of information on paper, film, tape, and disk. The 2001 conference brought together forensic and conservation scientists, archivists, and conservators to discuss technical issues related to the preservation and handling of artifacts and records which have been or may be subjected to forensic examinations.
Presentations covered the science of fingerprint, firearms, and biological materials examinations, focusing in particular on the issues of potential hazard, deterioration, and preservation of evidential value with respect to affected artifacts and records in archival custody. Discussions of custodial, preservation, conservation treatment, and curatorial issues regarding evidential holdings were highlighted by the presentations of illustrative case studies. Topics included:
- examples/case studies
- handling and preserving fingerprinted documents and artifacts
- firearms and ammunition, and other wood or metal artifacts
- blood, body fluids, and other biological materials
- custodial issues
- preservation responsibilities
- conservation issues
PROGRAM
Introduction: What's This Stuff Doing Here, Anyway?
- Margaret Ann T. Kelly, Research Chemist, Document Conservation Laboratory, NARA
Handling and Preserving Fingerprinted Documents and Artifacts
- Mr. Robert S. Ramotowski, Research Chemist, Forensic Services Division, United States Secret Service
Preservation of Firearms, Ammunition, and Other Wood or Metal Artifacts
- Martin Burke, Associate Manager, Conservation, National Park Service
Handling and Preserving Biological Materials, Including Documents and Artifacts Bearing Blood or Other Body Fluids
- Melissa A. Smrz, Unit Chief, DNA Unit II, Federal Bureau of Investigation Laboratory
Custodial Issues Regarding Artifacts and Records Retained As Evidence
- Steven D. Tilley, Chief, Special Access and Freedom of Information Staff, NARA
Preservation Responsibilities Regarding Evidential Holdings
- Mary Lynn Ritzenthaler, Supervisory Conservator, Document Conservation Laboratory, NARA
Conservation Treatment Issues: When Damage Tells A Story
- Jane E. Klinger, Chief Conservator, U. S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
Curatorial Case Study: The Kennewick Man
- Michael K. Trimble, Chief, Curation
and Archives, and
Natalie M. Drew, Archivist, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers
