Trace Evidence Analysis in Burglary Cases Investigated by the Police in Adamawa State

Trace evidence, including fibres, hair, glass fragments, and paint transfers, provides critical physical linkages between crime scenes and suspects in property crime investigations. This study examines the collection and analysis of trace evidence in burglary cases investigated by the Nigeria Police Force in Adamawa State between 2020 and 2024. A descriptive case study design was employed, involving the review of thirty-five burglary case files, interviews with twelve crime scene technicians, and an observational assessment of the Adamawa State Police forensic unit's trace evidence processing capabilities. The study evaluates the completeness of trace evidence recovery at burglary scenes, the analytical methods applied, and the contribution of trace evidence findings to investigative outcomes. Findings reveal that trace evidence recovery is rarely systematic, with most technicians lacking specialised training in low-volume sample handling techniques. Glass fragment analysis was the most commonly performed examination, though microscopic fibre comparison and hair morphology analysis were virtually absent from the unit's operational repertoire. Trace evidence contributed materially to prosecution in only eighteen percent of the reviewed cases. Recommendations include investment in microscopy equipment for the Adamawa State forensic unit and the development of a trace evidence training module tailored to North East police forensic cadets. Keywords: trace evidence, burglary, Adamawa State, crime scene, fibre analysis.