Synthesis Paper: Hidden Evidence Chapter 9 Criminals have often used incendiary devices to carry out their goals. In chapter 9 of his book Hidden Evidence, David Owen examines the methods used by forensic investigators when they suspect such devices have been used. As with other types of crimes, investigators must carry out exhaustive searches for evidence, often relying on complex machinery to conduct chemical analyses of residue left on debris at the crime scene (132-33). Investigations of fires and explosions are further complicated by the fact that such events often occur accidentally, and forensic experts must uncover sufficient evidence to eliminate suspicions that incendiary crimes are merely unfortunate accidents (134-35). Investigators …show more content…
This process is complicated in crimes involving fire or explosions by the fact that much of the evidence may have been burnt, disintegrated, or distributed by the event. For example, debris from Pan Am flight 103 was spread over an area of nearly 1,000 square miles, necessitating a massive cleanup effort which gathered millions of pieces of debris (142). Even in cases where debris is kept within a relatively small area, it is not always easy to find the evidence needed to close a case. When examining the case of Steven Benson, suspected of murdering several close family members, police had to look carefully at the mangled wreck of the car (140-141). After a meticulous search, they uncovered several critical pieces of evidence, including plumbing components used to assemble the bomb, and electrical equipment used to create the detonator (141). Using this evidence, they were able to trace the creation of the explosive device to Benson, leading to a conviction …show more content…
In the case of Timothy McVeigh and the Oklahoma City bombing, the primary evidence used to convict him of the crime was not the residue found on the barrels, as that evidence was brought into question (147). Some people were concerned that the chemical traces found on the perpetrator's clothing might have come from sources unrelated to explosives (147). However, persecutors were still able to convict McVeigh through the axle of a rental truck, found in the debris, which a subsequent search linked to McVeigh, after a motel owner told police a man with his description driving a similar van had stayed at his establishment (147). Trains of investigation such as this one demonstrate the similarity of investigating explosives cases with investigations of more mundane crimes. In cases involving explosions, standard methods of investigation often prove just as valuable as advanced chemical analysis of explosive
Mr. Cockburn concluded that the evidence presented in this case was misinterpret and misapprehend, the leading investigation was “unscientific and slipshod” which lead to the sentence of Edward splatt. Many questions were raised, whether police officers should collect trace elements from the crime scene? The involvemet of police officers collecting samples rather than scientific experts which could lead to wrong and misleading evidence? The scientific procedure undertaking in this investigation. And these collected samples collected from officers and tested would lead to unvaluable piece of evidence.After Edward splatt conviction, anattorney- general by the name of Mr Griffin keeped a close eye on the case and examined the moran report and
Gardner, T. J., & Anderson, T. M. (2013). Criminal evidence: Principles and cases (8th ed.).
Preservation of Crime Scenes and Evidence. (2013, November 18). Retrieved from Correctional Service Canada: http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/politiques-et-lois/568-4-cd-eng.shtml
In the criminal justice system, the best chance of a fair trial and justice lies within cases that include physical evidence. Physical evidence, whether fibers, fingerprints, or DNA, can give a jury proof beyond a reasonable doubt. Physical evidence can convict a criminal, or it can free an innocent man. It can bring closure to families and to the law enforcement that work the cases. The following cases will show what physical evidence does in a criminal trial and the vast impact it can make. For each case I will examine how the physical evidence was important to the case and whether or not it could have made more of a difference if the presentation of the evidence were different. The five cases are: the Mosley case, the Warren case, the Chandler case, the Frediani case, and the Swift Case.
Forensics is a scientific method of gathering and examining information about a crime. It is used in the law for figuring out when, where, and what happened at the scene of the crime. Mystery writers must use forensics when writing about crime solving. This draws in the readers because of how realistic the mystery seems. In Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s short story “The Red-Headed League,” the author shows his perspective on justice while exemplifying his linear and detailed style, with the main character depicting the story in chronological order and the detective using deductive reasoning to solve the crime.
A lifetime earlier, Robert Owen was seeking to change the world in a superficially similar way to Hobson. From humble beginnings, Owen would later revolutionise industry in Britain and initiated the first steps towards much of the labour reform seen today. A utilitarian socialist, Owen emphasised the malleability of a person’s character by their environment and believed that the implementation of humanist laws and policies could change the character of workers and indeed entire industries.
The officers tampered with evidence and made a false discovery that he was the person and that is how he was convicted (Innocent Project N.D.). Many forensic methods have been implemented in research when looking for evidence, but the methods that are not scientific and have little or nothing to do with science. The result of false evidence by other means leads to false testimony by a forensic analyst. Another issue with forensic errors is that it is a challenge to find a defense expert (Giannelli, 2011).
Lyman, D. Michael; Criminal Investigation, The Art and Science; 3rd edition, 2002 Prentice Hall. Pgs. 188-200.
In order to understand how to compile evidence for criminal cases, we must understand the most effective types of evidence. This topic is interesting because there are ample amounts of cases where defendants have gotten off because of the lack of forensic evidence. If we believe forensic evidence is so important and it affects our decisions, then maybe we need to be educated on the reality of forensic evidence. If we can be educated, then we may have a more successful justice system. If we have a more successful justice system than the public could gain more confidence that justice will be served. In order to do this, we must find what type of evidence is most effective, this can be done by examining different types of evidence.
In today’s time, modern Crime Scene Investigation has increased rapidly. From throughout the late 1900’s and in the early 2000’s (Taylor 1). For all of the evidence that they find, a solid foundation has formed over the thousands of years of Crime Scene
Forensic evidence can provide just outcomes in criminal matters. However, it is not yet an exact science as it can be flawed. It can be misrepresented through the reliability of the evidence, through nonstandard guidelines, and through public perception. Forensic science can be dangerously faulty without focus on the ‘science’ aspect. It can at times be just matching patterns based on an individual’s interpretations. This can lead to a miscarriage of justice and forever alter a person’s life due to a perceived “grey area” (Merritt C, 2010) resulting in a loss of confidence in the reliability of forensic evidence.
Andrus, R., Bailey, J., Sprague, T., Springer, F., Tulleners, F., Wiersema, S., et al. (n.d.). Crime Scene
Gaensslen, R. E., Harris, H A., & Lee, H. (2008). Introduction to Forensic Science and Criminalistics. New York, NY: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. .
Forensic Science, recognized as Forensics, is the solicitation of science to law to understand evidences for crime investigation. Forensic scientists are investigators that collect evidences at the crime scene and analyse it uses technology to reveal scientific evidence in a range of fields. Physical evidence are included things that can be seen, whether with the naked eye or through the use of magnification or other analytical tools. Some of this evidence is categorized as impression evidence2.In this report I’ll determine the areas of forensic science that are relevant to particular investigation and setting out in what method the forensic science procedures I have recognized that would be useful for the particular crime scene.
Forensic science has now been recognized as an important part of the law enforcement team to help solve crimes and cold cases. The advances in technology are being used each day and we must continue to strive to develop better advances in this field. The recent discovery of using DNA in criminal cases has helped not only positively identify the suspect, but it has helped exonerate hundreds of innocent individuals. “With new advances in police technology and computer science, crime scene investigation and forensic science will only become more precise as we head into the future.” (Roufa, 2017) Forensic science and evidence helps law enforcement officials solve crimes through the collection, preservation and analysis of evidence. By having a mobile crime laboratory, the scene gets processed quicker and more efficiently. Forensic science will only grow in the future to be a benefit for the criminal justice