CSI: 3 Dimensions of Murder Hints

When should I use the various tools?

• Collection:
  -- Swab: Collects a sample of any fluid, blood or whatever it may be. Many bloodstains can't be collected until you've determined that they really are blood, using either Luminol or LCV spray.
  
  -- Gloves: Use when you need to pick up something large, anything from a quarter to a forklift.
  
  -- Tweezers: Use when you need to pick up something tiny like a hair, or if the thing is inside a hole or a slit.
  
  -- Casting plaster and frame: Use when you need to make a mold of something large, like a dinosaur track.
  
  -- Mikrosil: Use when you need to make a mold of something small, like toothmarks.
  
  -- Adhesive tape lift: This one is a sheet of tape. Use it to pick up a print in powder, like a revealed fingerprint or a footprint. Fingerprints can't be collected until you've revealed them with one of the fingerprint powders.
  
  -- Adhesive specimen mount: This one is a small bottle with sticky stuff inside. Use it to collect loose powder, like spilled sugar.
  
  Detection:
  -- Camera: Use to take a shot of the entire scene, or to record a footprint in something you can't use the mold or tape on.
  
  -- Flashlight: Use to see into a dark area. Remember that the game may have a different idea of "dark" than you do. If you can clearly see something you know you want but the game won't let you take it, try using the flashlight to see it better.
  
  -- Fingerprint powder: Use for fingerprints on shiny surfaces, like glass and metal. After you use the powder to see the print, use the adhesive tape lift to collect it.
  
  -- Magnetic powder: Use for fingerprints on slightly porous objects like wood, polystyrene, and painted surfaces. After you use the powder to see the print, use the adhesive tape lift to collect it.
  
  -- Ninhydrin: Use for fingerprints on highly porous objects like paper or cardboard. These prints will be collected automatically.
  
  -- UV light: Use to reveal body fluid stains on cloth; in this game, the fluid is always semen. Yes, yes, I know; just like the TV show.
  
  -- USB data drive: Use to download data from computers. When you do this, you'll find the files in your evidence under "Documents," usually. To access the data, use the USB drive on the Trace Analysis computer in the lab.
  
  -- Leuko Crystal Violet spray: Use to determine if a stain on an item is blood. This one is used on blood that has dried in place.
  
  -- Luminol spray: Use to determine if a stain on an item is blood. This one is used on blood that has been washed off.
  
  Those last two are almost interchangeable; if you think you need Luminol but the game says no, try LCV.
  

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