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
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
Technical Working Group on Crime Scene Investigation (2000). Crime Scene Investigation: A Guide for Law Enforcement-Research Report (NCJ 178280). Retrieved from U.S. Department of Justice website: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/lab/forensic-science-communications/fsc/april2000/twgcsi.pdf
Lyman, D. Michael; Criminal Investigation, The Art and Science; 3rd edition, 2002 Prentice Hall. Pgs. 188-200.
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.
Forensic science has paved the way to a new world of technological advancements in solving crime, through DNA analysis, new technology such as M-Vac, improving systems such as CODIS and other investigative methods. As forensic science technology advances, the chance of an individual being able to commit a crime and walk away free without leaving any trace of evidence will lessen. While forensic science has its limitations, it can be the only way to provide an accurate account of what actually occurred at some crime scenes.
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.
Crime scenes are known to have many clues left behind. The obvious would be a the body or bodies, clothing, and sometimes even the murder weapon. While these are great way to solve a case there's another kind of evidence; trace evidence. Trace evidence are small pieces of evidence that are laying around a crime scene. There are many types of trace evidence some of them include metal filings, plastic fragments, gunshot residue, glass fragments, feathers, food stains, building materials, lubricants, fingernail scrapings, pollens and spores, cosmetics, chemicals, paper fibers and sawdust, human and animal hairs, plant and vegetable fibers, blood and other body fluids, asphalt or tar, vegetable fats and oils, dusts and other airborne particles, insulation, textile fibers, soot, soils and mineral grains, and explosive residues. Although these are the most common found elements, they are not the only ones. The Trace Evidence Unit is known to examine the largest variety of evidence types and used the biggest range of analytical methods of any unit. materials are compared with standards or knowns samples to determine whether or not they share any common characteristics. In this paper I will discuss the different kinds of trace evidence and how crime scene investigaros use it to solve cases and convict criminal.
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
The transitional growth in the forensic science sector has not been without challenges. Though the world has experienced increased capabilities and scientific knowledge, which has led to faster investigations and results, many forensic experts have argued that forensic laboratory testing, in the light of 21st century technological advancements, is yet to meet the expected rate in quick available testing and analysis (Mennell & Shaw, 2006). This is with respect to the growing rate of crime and the high demand of quick crime scene testing and analysis. In the science of crime scene, analysis and interpretation of evidence is majorly dependent on forensic science, highlighting the change in the role of forensic sciences (Tjin-A-Tsoi, 2013). In the business of forensic science, time is beginning to play important role in the evidence testing and analysis which is becoming crucial in reducing ...
White, P 1992, Crime scene to court: the essentials of forensic science, Royal Society of Chemistry, London, p. 20-33.
Andrus, R., Bailey, J., Sprague, T., Springer, F., Tulleners, F., Wiersema, S., et al. (n.d.). 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
"Unreliable or Improper Forensic Science." The Innocence Project. The Innocence Project, n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2014.
Physical evidence is additionally important in every criminal investigation because too often witness accounts are sometimes biased or unreliable. Physical evidence such as trace evidence, DNA, and fingerprints may objectively attach one or more persons to a victim or suspect to a crime. Favorably, physical evidence can also demonstrate inestimable for exonerating an innocent suspect. Laboratory members and criminal investigators should perform together to resolve the biggest portion of evidence to institute the right suspect for a strong prosecution. Willingly, investigation officers should aggressively contact laboratory personnel when questions arise about the cases because DNA evidence is sensitive.