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DNA and crime investigation
Use of DNA in criminal investigations
Both sides of the use of DNA in criminal investigations issue
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Fiber evidence played a vital role in Williams' conviction. The DNA testing on seven dog hairs was part of the forensic evidence utilized against Wayne Williams. This was the evidence that prosecutor utilized to strengthen the case along with fiber. Thirty black children and young men were reported missing or found dead in the area of Atlanta, Georgia from July 1979 to May 1981 (FBI, 2014). It was concluded by The Georgia State Crime Lab that the yellow-green nylon fibers and violet acetate fibers on the bodies of the clothing of victims were a match (Booker, 2014). Two pale-violet acetate fibers removed from the victim Payne were consistent with the violet-acetate fibers presented from the bedspread of Williams' parent house. The fibers
According to the Innocence Project (2006), “On September 17, 2001, Chad wrote the Innocence Project in New York, which, in 2003, enlisted pro bono counsel from Holland & Knight to file a motion for DNA testing on Tina’s fingernail scrapings.” The state had tested the DNA that was under Tina’s nail from the first case but at that time it was inadequate and could not be tested. It was not until now that we have the technology capable enough to test it. In June 2004, the test came back negative to matching both Jeremey and Chain Heins but did come from an unknown male. The state argued that it was not enough to overturn the conviction so Chad’s attorney asked the state to do some further testing and to compare the DNA from under the fingernails to the hairs that was found on Tina’s body. It was in 2005 that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement confirmed that there was a match between the DNA under Tina’s nail and the pubic hair. According to LaForgia (2006), “this particular type of DNA, the report stated, was found in only about 8 percent of Caucasian American men.” During this process there was a new piece of evidence that Chad’s attorney had learned about during the appeals process, a fingerprint. There were some accusations that the prosecutors never disclosed this information about this third fingerprint and if they did it was too late. The jurors did not even know about this fingerprint and if they did this could have changed the whole case. This fingerprint was found on several objects that included the smoke detector, a piece of glass, and the bathroom sink. It was soon discovered that this fingerprint matched with the DNA found on the bedsheets that Tina was on. This was finally enough evidence to help Chad Heins become exonerated in
Other evidence located within the grave consisted of a generic watch, two cigarette butts, a button, a washer and a shell casing. All of these could be analysed for finger prints and DNA. The cigarette butts would also show a serial number indicating the brand (shown in Figure 3), which can be useful if it is found a victim or offender smokes a particular type of cigarette.
One of the first pieces of forensic evidence in the trial was the smell of decomposition in Casey’s car. A hair that was found in the trunk also resembled Caylee’s according to an FBI trace analyst. The car was also tested and showed gases present that could only come from a decomposing body. Arpad Vass, a researcher on decomposition testified that the chemical tests he conducted in the car showed that the smell was definitely from a decomposing body. Vass also claimed that in his testing he found evidence of chloroform in the vehicle. They suspected that chloroform was used on Caylee when she was killed. On December 11, 2008 Caylee’s body was found in a field. Investigators believe the body could have been decomposing in the field for six months. A piece of duct tape was found over Caylee’s jawbone, and investigators believe that the chloroform was used, then the duct tape was placed over her mouth and nose to suffocate her (Casey Anthony Trial,
The fiber evidence was the major evidence that linked the findings to Mr. Wayne Williams. However, some testimony was involved but not disclosed. The fiber was sent out for thorough testing by the investigators to ensure the results were accurate and from an Independent source to rule out tampering or coercion. There were multiple law enforcement agencies working together on this case. It was the local police department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Georgia Department of Investigation. The team was patient and not trying to just solve the case quickly for the press. They ensured multiple tests were conducted for the carpet in the home, the hair from the family pet, Wayne’s hair and the carpet from multiple vehicles at the Williams
In this position paper I have chosen Bloodsworth v. State ~ 76 Md.App. 23, 543 A.2d 382 case to discuss on whether or not the forensic evidence that was submitted for this case should have been admissible or not. To understand whether or not the evidence should be admissible or not we first have to know what the case is about.
One of the most coveted trials in terms of popularity and media attention the O.J Simpson trial which took place between 1994 and concluded on October 2,1995 with O.J Simpson being acquitted of charges laid upon him during the Murder Trial Due to handling of physical evidence and questions over whether Mark Fuhrman planted the bloody glove at the scene to frame O.J. so in an attempt to understand how a deviation from standard operating procedures in the handling of physical evidence can affect the outcome of a criminal trial; One most first understand evidence and how to preserve it. When the crime scene technician took blood samples from Simpson’s Ford Bronco (1996) she used a cotton swab to take samples; but instead of using
Because Simpson was the prime suspect, the judge legally ordered searches on O.J’s house as well as the crime scene. The goal was to find proof that he did commit the crime, by finding DNA or items. Shortly after the searches and tests began, evidence was found. DNA from the crime scene matched the DNA of O.J. Although proof was found, Simpson continued to plead not guilty. Surprisingly enough, O.J st...
How the hair of fiber made a connection for the case (what the analysis told them): The FBI said that the hairs found at the scene of the crime all matched Tribble’s DNA. He was found guilty within 40 minutes of deliberation. He served 28 years. He was then exonerated from the crime when the hairs were looked at again and found that none of the hairs matched Tribble’s and one was even a dog hair.
When the first responder got to the scene he adimatately meet the 911 caller, who lead him to a car in an apartment parking lot. The car doors were closed and all of the windows were fogged. The police officer used his flashlight to see inside of the car before opening the door. He found a young African American woman who had been shot several times. The officers quickly called for backup, investigators and medical personnel. While awaiting for their arrival he secured the crime scene with caution tape, creating an initial perimeter setup as discussed in lecture two. Once everyone arrived he left it to them to search the car while he talked to the 911 caller, witnesses and others who had information on who had been present in the car. The investigators were able to collect physical evidence of bullets and cartage casings that were found outside the vehicle and inside the vehicle on the floorboard of the driver’s side. The team determined the bullets came from a 40 caliber. Other types of physical evidence that were found on the scene were the bloody clothing on the victim, the victim’s cell phone and fibers in the car from the driver’s side. personnel at the scene crime took several photographs, powered test for finger prints and did a blood spatter analysis. Stewart’s autopsy revealed that she had been shot at close range in the left hand once and in the
In February of 1982 in a Fulton County Georgia court room, fiber evidence came to be the main source that linked Wayne Williams to murder victims, which led to a verdict of guilty during a trial that lasted eight weeks (Saferstein, 2011). The evidence presented in court proved that Williams murdered Jimmy Payne and Nathaniel Cater in April and May of 1981 (Saferstein, 2011). It was also proven in court by way of fiber evidence that Williams was responsible for ten other murdered victims. The time frame of these murders occurred during 1979 through 1981 (Saferstein, 2011). This murder case involved very extensive research on fiber remains which was the strongest evidence source in resolving this horrible crime.
This bandana contained blood and a hair, which possibly contained the blood of the victim and the DNA of the assailant. The sole reason that Michael Morton was arrested was become of the time of death of the victim, Christine Morton. The medical examiner relied on stomach content, which we now know is unreliable, and placed the time of death based on the stomach contents. Junk science was the reason that Michael Morton was falsely convicted of murdering his wife. The medical examiner did not assess any type of rigor mortis, which they should have but unfortunately it wasn’t thoroughly advanced. If the medical examiner looked at other body parts and organ functions besides the stomach and combined in with DNA testing, there would’ve been a different
Evidence, including the clothing she was wearing and a DNA sample provided voluntarily by Price following his arrest, was submitted to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
Once a crime has been committed the most important item to recover is any type of evidence left at the scene. If the suspect left any Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) at the crime scene, he could then be linked to the crime and eventually charged. A suspect’s DNA can be recovered if the suspect leaves a sample of his or her DNA at the crime scene. However, this method was not always used to track down a suspect. Not too long ago, detectives used to use bite marks, blood stain detection, blood grouping as the primary tool to identify a suspect. DNA can be left or collected from the hair, saliva, blood, mucus, semen, urine, fecal matter, and even the bones. DNA analysis has been the most recent technique employed by the forensic science community to identify a suspect or victim since the use of fingerprinting. Moreover, since the introduction of this new technique it has been a la...
Strands of human hair situated at the crime scene gives exceptionally solid sign that an individual was at that area, yet it can likewise be useless if the fibres were found outside and, subsequently subject to the elements such as wind, and if the full length of the strand is not present (Dasgupta, 2007). Hair without anyone else 's input is essential, but rather the most imperative DNA evidence connected with hair fibres originates from the cellular material at the root of the hair strand. In a way, the microscopic particles of follicle give the most solid proof. The protein called keratin is the key substance that goes with the follicle, and that gives the best distinguishing proof. On the off chance that the hair is taken off by the root, for example that could happen when an individual is guarding him or herself against an attacker, then the hair fibres are essential (Innes, 2000). Hair that does exclude follicular material is a great deal less dependable. Hair fibres that do exclude keratin are helpful in distinguishing a category of individual into which a suspect may fit, however they are not complete evidence that the hair originated from the suspect (Innes, 2000). Therefore, personally, hair fibres are less important than fingerprints and DNA evidence acquired from saliva or blood. Fingerprints are not DNA evidence, but still they are extremely dependable types of evidence. DNA obtained from bodily fluids, in any case, is the most profitable type of evidence
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.