Sorry for the delay. I got caught up in a busy day at work!

Hey Bruce!  To be honest with you; my question about purpose of legal standing of the tie is kind of two pronged. First off, I realize that I am extremely new around here but I have been "observing" for a while now. I just though that there was a lot of "bantering" going back and forth lately and most of the time that isn't exactly "productive." So I thought if I came up with a new topic (ie...put the tie on trial) maybe it would bring forth new discussions which would in turn be well..."productive."

Secondly, we are talking about a topic that happened almost a half century ago. There are cold cases then there are COLD CASES. I've learned that the longer time goes on, people move on, people forget, and people honestly lost interest. However, no matter what the human element is and no matter how the human mind changes, the one constant is the evidence. The evidence never changes (unless it is corrupted by an outside source). In an investigation you have Point A which is the start of the crime which leads to Point B, C, D...ect. Unless you're the primary investigator in a cold case you are usually jumping in on Point E, J, M, or even Y. So you either have to start at the very beginning or at one of the other points. The beginning is usually the best but not always obtainable like this case. Point A is "a man walked into an airport with a briefcase." Well, give me EVIDENCE of how he got there. Well we have none right? Just theories. So that means we have to start somewhere else. Like the tie. So by discussing the tie (ie...377 is a lawyer, if he had to prosecute/defend against it, how would he do it) in a legal setting may lead to new questions and new thoughts which may open up new avenues.

Thanks 377 for the response! I agree that if you found a Cooper 20 or a bad alibi its possible; that is kind of why I asked about the tie.

MeyerLouie - I believe you asked about getting prints off of a cigarette butt. I am certain it would be extremely hard as the surface of the butt is way too porous for fingerprints. You'd probably have better luck with DNA.

I hope I did not confuse anyone more than I just confused myself! 

The apparent stability of DNA in forensic samples has permitted the successful application of several techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based and restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) analysis to forensic cases. PCR-based typing of the HLA-DQ alpha region in forensic casework has been shown to be a valid and reliable technique. This inherent stability of DNA in forensic evidence has led us to address the question of whether DNA could successfully withstand certain evidence processes such as latent fingerprint and electrostatic detection apparatus (ESDA) processing and still yield a sufficient quantity and quality of DNA for PCR HLA DQ alpha typing. Through testing done with biological material on simulated and casework envelope, stamp, and cigarette butt type evidence, it was determined that samples could be processed for specific latent fingerprint and ESDA examinations and still yield sufficient DNA for conclusive HLA DQ alpha typing results.
PMID: 8228874

Just says that fingerprint exam on butts doesn't ruin chances for subsequent DNA sampling. But implies that cig butts can yield prints.
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377

Quick update regarding weather. I'm working in my garden getting ready to plant corn and beans. What does this mean in Oregon and Washington ? It can only mean that the rain has taken a break and the next week or so is going to be dry and sunny ! Good news for our Tina Bar project but I'll be in Portland tomorrow and report back. Often warm weather causes snow melt upriver so don't get too antsy just yet. Yesterday was the 37 th anniversity of Mt St Helens eruption. How many other posters lived nearby back them ?