Crime Scene Investegation

All that we've learned over the past weeks has lead up to this. Our teacher set up 3 artificial crime scenes each with a multitude of clues for us to use. My group was assigned to crime 2 which had been commited at a local bar.

A list of potential suspects was also provided, the suspects are as follows;

Evidence

• A corpse of a red haired female is layed on a car witha  gaping neck wound. This lead us as a group to belive that it was definatley a murder.
• Our second clue is a sample of 0- blood. This along with the red haired woman's wound, lead us to belive that it was Ginger Snap who had been killed. However we also noticed Candi Stores possesed the same blood type which opened up the posiblity that she had been injured while killing Ginger Snap. This evidence helped us verify that both Ginger Snap and Candi Stores may have been involved however this evidence was not conclusive.
• On the scene we found a print that registered with Candi Stores' tented arch pattern, confirming that she was present at the scene of the crime.

• The next piece of evidence we found was a small glass with a blue drink in it as well as a lipstick stain. On first impresion we thought it may have contained poision, but upon further inspection it did not.  With the darker brand of lipstick it could belong to Candi Stores however we could not confirm this.

•  The Next exhibit was a strand of cotton fiber. This evidence did not help identify any suspects, but it may be the signs of a struggle as the victim may have tried to protect herself. This coupled with the nylon fiber found at the scene could further prove this point as each fiber could have belonged to victim and the killer.

• Another article of intrest found were two handwritten notes. One was in what was believed to be Candi Store's hand writing saying "I needed the money". The other note was written in Ginger Snaps writing witht he words "Please help me!". The fact that they are both torn up indicate that the killer attempted to conceal the incedent. The first note may have been written to Ginger Snap as a warning. Seeing as Candi has a past drug conviction it may be that she was requesting money owed to her by Ginger Snap. As for Ginger's note it may have been a silent plea for help from another person at the bar as Ginger realises Candi Store is going to try and harm her.

• We also found a gold chain necklace. With the above evidence we believe Candi stole the necklace from Ginger to sell for money, killing Ginger Snap to make sure she can get away with it.

• The final pieces of evidence were two fingerprints. The first of which was an accidental type which matches Ginger's further indicating that the only two suspects present were Candi and Ginger. The other print was found on a glass surface, as a radial loop. It did not match any prints of the suspects we had listed so we discerned it was either another bystandereds print or a different finger on one of the suspects.

Conclusion:

With the evidence above I have determined how I belive the crime happened;

Before the incedent Candi Stores, an entertainer at the club, gave the money to the bartender as either a shady loan. However Ginger Snap didn't show much intention of getting the money back any time soon. One night Candi slips Ginger a final warning note, Ginger not able to pay off the money wrote a note requesting help from another bargoer (believed to be the owner of the radiall loop print). As the night progressed Candi drank a little too much and in an drunkin state chased Ginger outside the bar in attempts to steal her necklace for the money she could sell it for. After killing Ginger she was shocked from her drunken state. In horror she rips up the notes in order to not be traced down. Then she ran dropping the necklace.

Forensic Lab Refelections

Over the creation of this blog my class participated in multiple forensic based labs in order to further comprehend the material as well as better understand non ideal instances.

Finger Prints

In class we practiced fingerprint identification. First off to practice creating prints we treated the pads of our fingers with blue ink and pressed them onto the chart below.

The blue ink left behind easily identifiable prints which made discerning characterisitcs of them simple. However since in most cases criminals do not leave prints with blue ink we were then assigned to lift our prints off a glass jar. To do this we cleaned the bottom of a jar to make print identification easier. After placing our print on the jar we applied in crushed graphite as a black powder with a fine brush. Once the print was identified tape was used to lift the graphite imprint onto a scrap of white paper.

Hair Analysis

For criminal's it is nearly impossible to commit a crime without leaving behind some kind of fiber. In lab we analyzed the common types of fiber that would be found at a crime scene for color, tip condition and an distinguishing features. The fibers we analyzed included;

• Caucasian: The hair had multiple visible pockets in it
• Dog: The Medula was much more distinguished, however the hair sample was frayed
• Cotton: Fibers formed a twisted pattern
• Synthetic: A solid, smooth fiber
• Asian: It had a tanish yellow hue, however in appearence it was similar to caucasion, except more frayed
• Cat: looks similar to synthetic fiber
• African American: The core seems less dense but the overall hair was darker
• Color Treated wool: Incredibly twisted but other wise smooth
• Nylon: Formed a web like pattern but ends were split.
• Blue silk: Formed a crochete pattern

Witness Experiment

Often when a crime is commited there is somesort of witness, these people can be used by forensic scientists for identifiying a criminal. In our experiment we took a common magazine and cut out various individual's hair eyes, nose, and mouth. The task was to then piece together an individual from the mix of parts similar to the way scientists must piece together an 'image' of a criminal from I-witness reports. What was taken from this is an ability to create an image that could be used for finding a criminal.

Lipstick Analysis

Somtimes in crime cases stains of lipstick can be found, scientists soon relized that these prints were just as unique as fingerprints and thus lipstick analysis was born. In class everyone had to apply lipstick and make a print on a scrap of paper. After which we analyzed for any distinct features such as valleys and special creases.



Handwriting

One class we were assigned to write a fake check along with each of our groupmates. We proceeded to rip them to pieces and mix them up with our group. After which we worked together using the 12 handwriting components to identifiy our own check and piece it together.

Foot Printing

We broke off into groups each with a bin of dirt. Once this happened each memeber of the group took a turn pressing their right foot into the bin to leave behind a foot print after which we began analysis. The analysis regarded particular details such as different areas in the shoe that are heavily worn; this information can be used to identify individuals as everyone walks a different way. When prints are left behind scientists can obtain infomation such as the footwear manufacturer, model and shoe size to help profile witness and suspects.

This right foot print has a worn away inside curve. This can be seen as the circular markings that are in the circle become less prevalent towards the left of the foot. (the spoon in the picture was used for outlining the print)

Though footprints are always left behind they may not be in perfect condition, however information can still be obtained from only partial foot prints. It the creator of the footprint was obviously wearing high heels, this could be used to narrow down a suspect list to females (in most cases).

My personal footprint, as stated forensic scientists can identify the company that produced a shoe in order to hunt down a criminal. In this case the manufactuor can easily be identified by the logo in the heel as oceanpacific. From here law enforcement can trace who owns a pair produced by this company adding to useable evidence.

Drug Analysis

In this lab our teacher created compounds that simulated the chemical properties of common drugs. Students were to mix these substances with roughly 25ml of water (small samples were put onto a dish in order to save resources). Once this was done the students tested PH levels (as this can be used to determine certain types of drugs). Then a common test police officers use is reagents that turn blue in cocaine, or yellow in L.S.D. this knowledge is important to a forensic scientist as it could be used as drugs may be the cause of death such as an overdose.

(The pink liquid was one that didn't react)

Poison

A common method of killing, poison can be multiple common compounds. In our class students were tasked with determing weather certain substances were poisonous via certain indicators. The poisons that were tested for include, cyanide, iodine, heavy metal poisoning sugar (if one is diabetic), household ammonia and asprin (in the case of an overdose). Students also were required to research poison for certian points of interest (such as the definition of a poision, how it can be useful forensic scientists to know this). In the end we learned that poision can be used to trace criminals as it can be traced which of the suspects would have access to the used poison.

Creating a Profile

Using the skills obtained from previous labs a group of four of us were tasked with a common job that forensic scientists must do frequently. That is creating a profile from the information given. As a group we were each given a hair sample a torn up note, a set of fingerprints and a lipstick sample. Through group analysis we recorded all the information we could discern from the clues and then thought of further information required to identify a criminal. 



Hair/Fiber Analysis

History Of Hair and Fiber Analysis

            Hair analysis began in France 1857 when scientist Edmond Locard discovered that people constantly transfer bits of dust, hair, fibers and other "trace" material without being conscious of it. Locard realized that these material exchanges could be invaluable to analyzing a crime scene. He even managed to solve a murder case he was investigating my telling the court that the victim had recently dyed their hair which lead to the tracking down of the criminal via identification of the hair sample.

His work became the foundation for fiber forensics for the early 1900s. Throughout fiber analysis’s history scientist have learned that drug usage shows up in hair samples allowing for poison identification leading them one step closer to catching a criminal. His principle of fiber transfer has helped forensic scientist across the globe identify criminals based off just the most minute sample of their clothing. Some of the most manufactured fibers that can be identified by forensics include polyester, nylon, olefin (mainly found in carpets), rayon and acrylic fibers.

Split Ends

            When looking at hair the most commonly observed area is the shaft, it can be seen that it can be broken down into three main segments; the cuticle, the cortex and the medulla. The cuticle is the outermost layer composed of 6 to 11 layers of overlapping semi transparent scales that  are responsible for hairs elasticity and waterproof qualities. People with thick or coarse hair will have more of these scales then a person with fine hair. The next layer is known as the cortex, it is the layer separating the cuticle and the cortex, this area of the shaft gives hair its flexibility, and perhaps more importantly it’s color. Forensic scientists can use this layer to tell if a hair has been treated to change color. Now to the core of the shaft is a honeycomb styled tube known as the medulla filled with air pockets.

Collection methods

            When a crime is first investigated forensic scientists scan the area for any fiber traces left behind by carefully performing a grid search with tweezers and special sealing bags to prevent any cross contamination. While doing this they wear protective equipment to keep from contaminating any fibers. It is important to note that they do not use tape for fiber collection as it could crush and alter the fibers. In addition clothing of victims may also be inspected for evidence of unfamiliar fibers that could belong to the perpetrator. Other fiber samples may even be present under the fingernails of a victim.

Analysis

            Typically hair and fiber analysis is done through the use of microscopy. A forensic scientist would analyze this information and then compare it to familiar known fibers until a match is found. If further analysis is required forensic scientists can extract DNA from hair samples in order to more accurately pinpoint the owner.

Through hair analysis it is possible to identify weather a hair had fallen out of natural cause or by force by observing the condition of the root. In addition gender can be observed through hair. Scientists however can most accurately determine drug usage from hair as residue is left behind for long periods of time after consumption. Race is also determinable via hair analysis as human hairs are broken down into three categories;

Caucasian- European in origin they are often straight or wavy in appearance, and exhibit colors ranging from blonde to brown to black.

Mongoloid- Asian origin they are regularly coarse, straight, and circular in cross section, with a wider diameter than the hairs of the other racial groups.

Negroid- Hairs African origins are often curly and have a flattened cross section.

Reliability

            Even though much information can be obtained from hair/fiber analysis the evidence is not always conclusive. This is due to how few qualifying assessments there are that two strands of hair/fiber came from the same source. Fiber on the other hand has to be associated with a supposed source and therefore cannot be deemed 100% accurate. However DNA testing on hair can lead towards more accurate and traceable results.

InFamous Cases

            In 1975 Police were baffled by over 30 murders having happened with no trace of a criminal. They finally found evidence pointing to Ted Bundy however before he could be punished he escaped to Florida where he committed three more murders. He was finally tracked down when the fibers of 12-year-old Kimberly Leach dress were found in his van later that year. He was sentenced to death.

            Another serial killer eluded police for two years and twenty nine murders.  Police eventually arrested Wayne Williams as he was driving away from the sound of a splash in an area where a body was recovered a couple of days later. Police didn't witness him drop the body, so their case was based largely on forensic evidence gathered from fibers found on the victims. There were multiple fiber evidences from his vehicle to his dog’s hair. In 1982 he was sentenced to life in prison for two murders even though Atlanta police believe he was responsible for at least 22 children murders.

            Forensic hair and fiber analysis prevail yet again in 1983 when the bodies of two school boys (one tied by a rope that police couldn’t identify) were found. Police arrested a man who had been scouting a local school named John Joubert when scientists found a match between the unknown rope and a rope that the police found. Furthermore his a hair of one of the victims was found in John’s car.
 

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