...Crime Scene Reconstruction Devry University Kemisha Askew October 20, 2012 The topic I am writing about is Crime Scene Reconstruction. Crime Scene Reconstruction is the use of scientific methods, physical evidence, deductive reasoning and their interrelationships to gain explicit knowledge of the series of events that surround the commission of a crime. Crime Scene Reconstruction looks at the physical evidence and attempts to determine “What Happened? And how did it happen?” The reason why I have selected this topic is because I find it intriguing how physical evidence is broken down, evaluated, and reconstructed to actual tell how a crime occurred and what happened in the process. There are many television shows I watch daily that portray the crime scene investigation process in a certain light this is another reason why I chose this topic. I’d like to find out firsthand what actually goes on in the reconstruction process versus fictional exploitations of it on television. Crime Scene Reconstruction looks at the physical evidence and attempts to determine “What Happened? And how did it happen?” A similar method that is used is Criminal Profiling. Criminal Profiling is the application of psychological theory to the analysis and reconstruction of the forensic evidence that relates to an offender’s crime scenes, victims and behaviours. Crime Scene Reconstruction is the use of scientific methods, physical evidence, deductive reasoning and their interrelationships to...
Words: 1748 - Pages: 7
...this paper, we present a framework for digital forensics that includes an investigation process model based on physical crime scene procedures. In this model, each digital device is considered a digital crime scene, which is included in the physical crime scene where it is located. The investigation includes the preservation of the system, the search for digital evidence, and the reconstruction of digital events. The focus of the investigation is on the reconstruction of events using evidence so that hypotheses can be developed and tested. This paper also includes definitions and descriptions of the basic and core concepts that the framework uses. 1 Introduction Since the first Digital Forensic Research Workshop (DFRWS) in 2001 [Pal01], the need for a standard framework has been understood, yet there has been little progress on one that is generally accepted. A framework for digital forensics needs to be flexible enough so that it can support future technologies and different types of incidents. Therefore, it needs to be simple and abstract. On the other hand, if it is too simple and abstract then it is difficult to create tool requirements and test procedures for each phase. For this paper, we have examined the concept of an investigation to determine what is required. The result is an event-based framework that can be used to develop hypotheses and answer questions about an incident or crime. Hypotheses are developed by collecting objects that may have played a role in an event...
Words: 6869 - Pages: 28
...with a descriptive analysis of an episode of Crime Scene Investigations (C.S.I.). The intent is to show what is provided by the television series of what happens in a crime and what is supposed to happen during a crime scene investigation. The reader should be able to understand during this analysis to what in fact is non-realistic in this television episode and what is reality as determined by what has been researched. This will show what really happens in a crime scene investigations lab. The episode chosen for this review was CSI: Miami, The Golden Parachute. The episode begins with an aircraft taking important people to testify in front of the Security Exchange Commission. The aircraft began to have issues after takeoff and crash landed in the Florida Everglades. Fishermen were located in and around the everglades and witnessed the crash, they were consumed by what just happened and alerted 911. This prompted Horatio and his crime scene investigative team to begin work. There were eight total passengers on board including the pilots. They immediately identified bodies in the water and determined that this was a leve1 two biohazard. There were bodies thrown from the aircraft in the same area and they also found a body five miles down the everglades. The investigations continued throughout. There were things noticed that was clearly polished, questionable and what seemed to be real as part of an investigation. The crime scene investigators also acted as crime lab technicians...
Words: 1414 - Pages: 6
...steps to reconstruct a case and how we illustrate the concepts through a hearsay case, then understanding the fundamentals are identified witness, offenders, connecting evidence from the scene. A method of inquiry must be based on the assembly of the obvious, experimental, and measureable evidence subject to specific value of reasoning. It is part of the technical method, and they are used as part of a criminal investigation to achieve a number of goals, but biggest of which is usually determine the criminal. The scientific method is a systematic approach of observation, theory testing, and hypothesis evaluation that forms the basis for modern science. The method of analysis, at the most basic level, includes interviews and interrogations, and a on a crime scene specific levels also includes canvassing. Who gives the investigators information on what they could have seen what possibly could have happened at the scene. Interviews are non-protective, and are the common way to gather information from crime victims and witnesses, or even from stoolpigeons who might passes further information to help shed light upon the facts on the open case. Cross-examinations on the other hand, are custodial, meaning they are conducted on people who have been arrested as suspects who may have perpetrated a crime. When investigator is seeking a testimony, if not an admission of guilt or a statement of innocence. While conferences and examinations are two different methods of gathering information...
Words: 1151 - Pages: 5
...Case Study-Criminology Name Institution Date Introduction There are procedures that aid criminal investigators in their investigation. The procedures allow the investigators to solve the crime efficiently as well as deterring future crimes. Present day crimes just as human nature are complex. The extent of sophistication of how crimes remains committed and the challenges associated with criminal laws have placed a significant burden, on people choosing a career in criminal investigation and prosecution of criminals, within the system of criminal justice. Most concerns while conducting a criminal investigation has always been on the legality of when and how to conduct the exercise. Physical evidence collection, witness interviewing and assorted surveillance used in the investigation, all fall under a keenly watched category in the investigative process, not all investigations ends correctly; however, the ultimate goal of an investigative process depends on the process undertaken. For this reason, investigative process should follow a predefined pattern. This calls for frequent simulation exercise undertaken by investigators to keep them in check with the predefined patterns of investigation. This paper seeks to give responses to some of the questions posed in a simulation exercise aimed at standardizing a criminal investigation involving multiple explosions traversing two states. Investigative task force Assuming that legal authority was not an issue, should this investigation...
Words: 2394 - Pages: 10
...the justice system. Forensic scientists use scientific techniques and knowledge to assist law enforcement in investigations and solving crimes. They collect and analyze numerous types of evidence, including blood, body fluids; DNA; and human tissue. Forensic scientists assist the decision makers by showing the prosecutor if the issue has merit before it reaches the courtroom thereby reducing the number of cases having to be heard. Their decisions are based on scientific investigations and not circumstantial evidence or unreliable witnesses. Forensic scientists can restore faith in the judicial system with the use of science and technology for facts in criminal and civil investigations. The legal system is established on the belief that the legal process results in justice for all. History of forensic science The history of Forensic science or the applying of scientific principles to legal questions has a lengthy and interesting history. The first recorded autopsy was reported in 44 B.C was on Julius Caesar, where the Roman physician, Antistius proclaimed that he had 23 wounds on his body but only one was fatal. In 1248, a Chinese book entitled “His Duan Yu” (meaning The Washing Away of Wrongs) explaining how to tell apart a drowning from a strangulation. This was also the first recorded use of medicine to assist in solving crimes. In 1590, the first microscope was developed. In 1775, Karl Wilhelm Scheele first discovered forensic detection of arsenic when he noticed...
Words: 2382 - Pages: 10
... It is critical to understand what trace evidence can do for the investigator. What is the composition of vehicle paint layers? What is the best way to examine paint chips and how are they evaluated? How is soil collected and preserved at a crime scene. What standard/reference samples need to be collected? How is soil examined? What does the scientist look for? Trace evidence is anything left behind at a scene of a crime that can potentially link a suspect and a victim to a mutual location. Examples of trace evidence are hair, fibers, gunshot residue, soil and pollen. Any of these items can be transferred between two or more people, objects or environment with little contact, so during a crime its easily done (Trace, 2012). Analysis of trace material begins with a visual examination of the evidence while Macrophotography is taken to ensure approximate pictures are taken or all aspects of the scene and surrounding evidence. It’s then followed by micro-analysis, a process that allows scientists to investigate the evidence at a microscopic level to analyze substances like chemical residues (Trace, 2012). Other equipment used when analyzing trace materials are electron microscopes- used for the analysis of gunshot residue, spectrometry, spectroscopy and chromatographs- used to analyze small explosives, volatile hydro-carbonic chemicals and vehicular paint samples (Corbis, 2006). To analyze vehicle paint, scientist must breakdown its complex mixture...
Words: 752 - Pages: 4
...Forensics of Blood Blood evidence is the most common, most recognized and possibly most important evidence in the world of criminal justice. Throughout the history of violent and fatal crimes, bloodstain evidence has recently begun to emerge as a recognized forensic skill. “Blood is one of the most significant and frequently encountered types of physical evidence associated with forensic investigation of death and violent crime” (Eckert & James, 11). When a violent crime has been committed, blood is commonly left behind at the scene of the crime. This blood evidence allows police investigators to piece together the events of the crime. The texture, size, shape, and distribution of the blood can be used to determine when the crime occurred, what weapon was used, how the victim was standing, how many times the victim was hit, and more. Even if the perpetrator attempted to cover up the crime by cleaning the blood, evidence of blood still remains. Forensic investigators have different tests that can see where blood has been, whether it is blood, saliva, or semen, and also can test whether the blood is even human or not. Going even further, more tests can be done to compare the blood of different individuals to determine whether or not they were the perpetrator. Within the blood, there is a liquid portion called plasma making up about 55% of the total volume of blood. The plasma contains mostly water with some nutrients, minerals, and oxygen. In the plasma, there are red and...
Words: 3486 - Pages: 14
...Running Head: Week 2 Assignment 1 Predictive Policing Week 2 Assignment 1 Predictive Policing Your Name Professor Alexander Peter CIS 500 Information Systems For Decision Making 21 April 2014 The components of an information technology system connect with an organization’s mission to enhance their capability. With that the organization can incorporate components of an information technology system to become more proficient in their mission in providing quality services or products. The new components of an information technology system allow organizations to be propelled to the twenty first century from and information technology perspective. Department stores use components of an information technology system to gather information to better service the customers. The company gathers valuable information coupled with analyzing the data and then realigns the needed resources accordingly. They can exceed in meeting the quota of providing supply-in-demand in certain instance. Companies utilize websites to capture information about customers when they visit and browse their website. When the customer login or browse a website a Cookie is created to capture what sites the customer visited and their browsing history. This allows the company to learn what the customer’s vested interest is and provide multiple resources to obtain it. Multiple search engines such as Google, Bing, Yahoo, AltaVista, Excite and AOL search to name a few, which capture...
Words: 1123 - Pages: 5
...1)Introduction; Crime today is at an extreme high. However, forensic science has been there to help solve every crime committed Forensic science is the scientific method of gathering and examining information about the past. The word forensic comes from the Latin forēnsis, meaning "of or before the forum. The word forensic basically means the key to solve a crime.This is the technology used to help forensic teams to analyze and solve crimes.- This is especially important in law enforcement where forensics is done in relation to criminal or civil law,[1] but forensics are also carried out in other fields, such as astronomy, archaeology, biology and geology to investigate ancient times. Forensic Science is used to Identify Criminals Rape, murder, theft, and other crimes almost always leave a devastating mark on the victim. . In modern forensic science, the crime laboratories include photography section, Evidence storage section, identification section, chemistry section, General examination section, Fire arms section, instrument section and crime scene search section. 2)Origins of forensic science: In 16th-century Europe, medical practitioners in army and university settings began to gather information on the cause and manner of death. Ambroise Paré, a French army surgeon, systematically studied the effects of violent death on internal organs.[9][10] Two Italian surgeons, Fortunato Fidelis and Paolo Zacchia, laid the foundation...
Words: 3403 - Pages: 14
...Assignment Title: Predictive Policing Professor: Dr. Mark Cohen Date: 8 July 2014 ABSTRACT Predictive policing relies on using advanced technological tools and data analysis to take proactive measures to pre-empt crime. Predictive policing is the advanced strategy of using information systems to forecast future crime and take necessary measures to prevent them. Los Angeles police department Chief of Detectives Charlie Beck defines it this way – “With new technology, new business processes, and new algorithms, predictive policing is based on directed, information-based patrol; rapid response supported by fact-based prepositioning of assets; and proactive, intelligence-based tactics, strategy, and policy. The predictive-policing era promises measurable results, including crime reduction; more efficient police agencies; and modern, innovative policing.”(©ACLU of Massachusetts) TOPIC 1 Compare and contrast the application of information technology (IT) to optimize police departments’ performance to reduce crime versus random patrols of the streets. The professional era of policing began in the 1960’s when the policing strategy was based largely on random patrol, rapid response and reactive investigation. Unfortunately, the emphasis on response times and an associated reliance on technology resulted...
Words: 1910 - Pages: 8
... Forensic science, has been around for quite some time now. In this paper I will include insight into the role of forensic science, the applications of forensic science for use within the evaluation and/or processing of major crime scenes, and its role in the criminal justice system. Brief history of forensic science. Forensic science dates back all the to the 18th century. “One of the earliest pioneers of forensic science was a Spanish doctor, Mathieu Joseph Bonaventure Orfila (1787–1853)” (Gaensslen & Larsen, 2013, pg. 1.2). Mathieu is known as the father of forensic toxicology. His primary focus was in forensic science, his work influenced the development of modern day criminalistics labs. He was also was...
Words: 1514 - Pages: 7
...to all questions where control of chemical compounds, products, or processes is involved. Forensic Chemistry is an interdisciplinary field of Chemistry tasked to solve cases that can only be explained or resolved by applying analytical methods of investigation and instrumentation with chemistry as the main core of discussion. Forensic chemistry is a broad and diversified field of science. It includes all branches of chemistry and the application of its principles to solve crimes when it arise in the administration of justice. Significantly, Forensic chemistry is vital in crime detection when the components or chemical composition, structure of physical evidence/s collected from the scene of the crime are needed to support in the speedy solution of crime. Application of forensic chemistry is legally applied to the following: 1. Primarily, Forensic Chemistry deals in the recognition, identification, preservation, packaging & transportation of physical evidence collected at the crime scene. 2. In crime detection, it is applied in the identification of poisons, blood, semen, feces, urine, saliva, and other body fluids whether fresh or dried. It also include other stains of interests from ob-gynecological origin, mineral stains, fruits and/or vegetable stains. 3. It is involved in determining the kind of ink used in signature writings, and the kind of paper of a questioned document. 4. The knowledge of properties of volatile substance like organic solvents (alcohol, acetone...
Words: 14017 - Pages: 57
...What is product rule? 4. What is Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) and when was it created? 5. What is crime scene reconstruction? READ: Done. WRITE: 1. What are the common types of physical evidence? a. Blood, semen and saliva. b. Documents. c. Drugs. d. Explosives. e. Fibers. f. Fingerprints. g. Firearms and ammunition. h. Glass. i. Hair. j. Impressions. k. Organs and physiological fluids. l. Paint. m. Petroleum products. n. Plastic bags. o. Plastic, rubber, and other polymers. p. Powder residues. q. Serial numbers. r. Soil and minerals. s. Tool marks. t. Vehicle lights. u. Wood...
Words: 812 - Pages: 4
...production of physical evidence is essential for the conduct of criminal trials. Chain of custody procedures represent the application of a legal principle intended to ensure the evidence produced at trial is the same evidence seized by law enforcement authorities related to the crime, and has not been confused with evidence related to other crimes. In addition, chain of custody procedures are necessary to ensure the evidence has not been altered or tampered with between the time of seizure and the time the evidence is produced in court. Both documentation about the way the evidence was protected as well as the legal adequacy of the procedures used by law enforcement authorities is necessary to establish chain of custody. The failure to establish a chain of custody may result in the exclusion of the evidence at trial, although in some situations involving a broken chain of custody the evidence may be admissible if it can be precisely identified by a unique characteristic such as a serial number. While the documentary requirements to establish chain of custody are relatively similar for the evidence for most crimes, there is variation in the procedures used to maintain a chain of custody depending on the type of crime and the nature of the evidence. The burden of establishing the authenticity of the evidence with chain of custody generally rests with the party seeking admission of the evidence at trial, although there may be a presumption of the integrity of the evidence in some jurisdictions...
Words: 4859 - Pages: 20
