AS IN OTHER INVESTIGATIONS, A THOROUGH AND CAREFUL CRIME SCENE SEARCH IS THE ESSENTIAL FIRST STEP FOR LABORATORY WORK. THE SEARCH IS PARTICULARLY DIFFICULT WHEN THE CRIME SCENE IS AN AUTOMOBILE. CARS ARE EXPOSED TO THE WEATHER, WASHABLE, EASILY HIDDEN, AND EASILY ALTERED, AS WELL AS HIGHLY MOBILE AND ELUSIVE. PAINT, PIECES OF GLASS, AND ITEMS LEFT IN CARS CAN BE IMPORTANT BITS OF EVIDENCE FOR THE LABORATORY TO EXAMINE WHICH MAY BE FOUND IN A CAREFUL SEARCH. THE ALTERATION OF CARS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR INVESTIGATORS. THERE HAVE BEEN CASES WHERE THE BODIES OF STOLEN CARS ARE REMOVED AND DESTROYED, AND MECHANICAL PARTS AND FRAMES ARE KEPT. THESE ARE THEN SOLD TO JUNK DEALERS, OR NEW BODIES ARE PUT ONTO THE FRAME. AUTO THEFT RINGS ARE VERY EFFICIENT AT REMOVING, CHANGING, OR OBLITERATING CARS' IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS, MAKING EXAMINATION AND IDENTIFICATION MORE DIFFICULT. SEVERAL SPECIFIC CASES ARE CITED IN WHICH EVIDENCE FOUND IN OR ON CARS LINK THEM TO A CRIME; THIS TYPE OF EVIDENCE INCLUDES LATENT FINGERPRINTS, HAIR AND FIBERS, AND BLOOD STAINS. (VDA)