Essays on Forensic Evidence

Introduction

Maeder, et al. (2016) defined “CSI effect” as the unreasonable expectations of jurors on the sophistication of forensic science as a consequence of learning about it through television programs, such as the CSI (Crime Scene Investigation), resulting in fewer convictions in the absence of sophisticated forensic evidence against the accused. Lobo and Schnobrich-Davis (2015) referred to this as the “Tech effect”, which essentially extends the definition into the advances in information dissemination technology and beyond ‘crime scene television shows’.

Article Summary

Research questions: The Lobo and Schnobrich-Davis (2015) study was guided by three research questions: (1) Does the CSI effect (as ...

Forensic evidence and probabilistic reasoning has recently become a significant aspect of criminal laws assessment. Consequently, this has expanded the analysis, prosecution, and hearings of the related criminal acts. However, these are accomplished in relation to forensic science evidence, which mostly entails DNA-related features produced by skilled witnesses. Therefore, it is important to ensure that every individual involved in unlawful adjudication is in a position to fully assess and comprehend forensic evidence appropriately. Concerning the provided test and assessment, there is a positive correlation of the basic features of the sampled specimen under study. As observed from the osteological ...

Abstract

Forensic Science has long found important application in a criminal investigation, and its correct usage will enhance its effectiveness in crime detection. The use of forensic science in intelligence has allowed the possibility of crime scene reconstruction, identification of a suspect and the elements therein. Law enforcement has gone a notch higher in crime investigation in the sense that scouring for limited evidence at crime scenes has been made possible long after the perfect crime has taken place. The sole purpose of finding the obscure evidence is to have the criminals responsible brought to book and as a result, ...

Introduction

Forensic nursing has become an exciting field and one of the critical nursing specialties. In essence, the need for forensic nursing has particularly increased due to the rising awareness on the importance of appropriate forensic evidence collection and its preservation (Williams, 2005). In this paper, we assess why the knowledge on evidence collection and preservation is critical in health care. Also, the paper describes some of the procedures to be followed when collecting evidence in the ER.

Body

Why knowledge on evidence collection and preservation is critical in health care Increasing Cases of Patients Assaults There is an increasing number ...

Whereas the need for and application of scientific evidence has become a ubiquitous practice in most criminal justice systems, not so much attention has been paid to the potential limitations and problems associated with this type of evidence. Aspects of forensic technology such as DNA analysis have been used in the identification of the guilty and exoneration of the innocent globally for decades now. However, as the Innocence Project (n.d) notes, whereas some of these forensic technology procedures such as bite mark and shoe print comparisons were developed through thorough scientific research, many of these techniques are yet to ...

While the use of scientific evidence in solving crimes has helped in the identification of criminals and the exoneration of the innocent, there are certainly a number of problems that are associated with the use of forensic technology such as DNA testing within the criminal justice system. According to Edmond (2014), the use of forensic medical and scientific evidence within the criminal justice system has in a number of occasions led to wrongful convictions and hence a miscarriage of justice due to the fact that most of them are not reliable. The aspect of the reading from the Innocent ...

An analysis of how the criminalist in Ted’s case handled the evidence and whether it was positively or negatively involved in the outcome of the case Voelker & RDH (2012) proclaims that the investigators obliged that Bundy to offer a dental impression to aid in the investigation but Bundy refused. After sometimes, the criminalists were granted a search warrant to get the impression in any possible tactic. A disclosure trip was orchestrated to hinder Bundy from grinding his teeth to hide his bite. The initial scar was photographed and a clear overlay created. Voelker & RDH (2012) addresses that the ...

Business with online customers and intellectual properties are using cyber forensic investigators to deal with electronic crimes and employee’s wrongdoing. PayPal scam is one of the cyber crimes that required the knowledge of forensic scientists. Database and Internet investigators played a tremendous role in discovering credit card thieves. PayPal merchants reported being redirected to mock PayPal site. Forensic investigators discovered that the PayPal accounts were opened using the same IP address. The team used Sam Spade, trace route, and freeware network discovery to investigate the matter. Based on the investigation, there is evidence that could be used in ...

Introduction

Miscarriage of justice is defined as the wrongful convictions of people due to the control of the police department and the prosecution during the investigation or pre trial when the individual could be proven innocent. This kind of injustice has been experienced throughout the world a good example is Australia in cases such as the Andrew mallard conviction, Lindy chamberlain Creighton conviction in 1982, Farah Jama conviction in 2008 and Terry Irving conviction in 1993. There are many factors that contribute to wrongful convictions in areas such as Australia. These factors are false confessions, eyewitness identification and testimony, tunnel vision, ...

1. There were six victims killed – two females and four males (Bovsun, 2010).

One of the female victims was pregnant. Her door was unlocked and the perpetrator entered the house just as she was about to bring the garbage out. She was alone. The other female was babysitting an infant and had her son with her when all three of them were killed (Ramsland, 2012). The son was supposed to go to a friend’s house around the time of the killings. A male friend was in the house and also died. Both the female victims were sexually assaulted.

There are four crime scenes. One home was entered into by the perpetrator and ...

Fictional crime shows and real crime shows share some similarities as well differences. For example, both shows attempt to unlock the mystery of crime scenes in a logical and systematic manner. Nevertheless, fictional crime shows also differ significantly from real crime shows. The differences arise in terms of the tools used for investigation, and the period required to solve the issues under investigation.

A good example of a real crime show is First 48. In season 10, episode 6, the detectives attempt to resolve the murder of a 28-year-old man stabbed to death while working in a smoke shop. In order to resolve ...

Forensic evidence and testing relates to the analysis of evidence obtained from the crime scene through a vastly technical or scientific process (Buckles, 2007). Such as so, it requires a highly trained or skilled person to do the analysis; such persons for evidentiary purposes are referred to as expert witnesses. Expert witnesses are very critical in the criminal justice as without their expertise a lot of crimes would remain unresolved (Saferstein, 2011). However, due to the technical nature of the evidence, it is difficult to ascertain the authenticity and admissibility of such evidence.

Accordingly, there are basic standards set to guide the ...

Chemical and Biological Agents and Radiation

Hydrogen cyanide (HCN): HCN is a highly toxic chemical blood agent in the form of a colorless gas. Cardiovascular, neurological, respiratory and thyroid effects can occur as a result of chronic low exposure to HCN (Blanc, Hogan, Hryhorczuk, Hessl & Bernard, 1985). In case of exposure to liquid HCL, mild soapy water can be used for decontamination. Either sodium or amyl nitrite combined with sodium thiosulfate can be can be used as an antidote for the effects of HCN poisoning (USAMRICD, 2000). Treating patients with poor oxygen-carrying capacity can be a bit challenging because nitrite-induced methemoglobinemia can be harmful. (Chandra, Gupta, Bhargava, ...

Introduction

CSI effect has brought a lot of frustration to the American legal system as jurors have developed unrealistic hopes as television shows has always made forensic science look simple, whereby in real life, it is a complex procedure. It has been found that the CSI effect has a huge impact on the legal system, especially in regards to the situation where jurors demand forensic evidence to use in criminal trials. This has led to criticism of forensic science television programs. CSI effect is the way in which forensic science becomes exaggerated on the crime shows in television so as to influence ...

Charges against Gorski

According to the case at hand, Gorski has a lot of federal charges against him. As the U.S. Attorney responsible for the case, the federal charges that one is most likely to levy on Gorski are as follows: - Using encryption in aid of a crime: The scenario poses a situation whereby Gorski refused to provide the authorities with the encryption key. As such, he appears to hinder the investigation process. Any instances whereby an individual knowingly refuses to comply with authorities in the investigation are likely to attract charges of non-compliance. The particular instance may have such charges levied on ...

A chain of eleven random explosions has taken place in an area that traverses two states and seven counties. The random explosions resulted in five deaths, 32 injuries and significant property damage. In all eleven cases, the explosions were detonated remotely. The Virtual Police Department of Maryland (VDP) will be the lead investigative agency because the first three attacks were within its jurisdiction. Two suspects were recognized and arrested, one adult male and the other a teenage male. Search and seizures were exercised, and both subjects confessed to their respective roles in the collective crime. - Model: Investigative Taskforce ...

Charges against Gorski

According to the case at hand, Gorski has a lot of federal charges against him. As the U.S. Attorney responsible for the case, the federal charges that one is most likely to levy on Gorski are as follows: - Refusal to cooperate with authorities: The scenario poses a situation whereby Gorski refused to provide the authorities with the encryption key. As such, he appears to hinder the investigation process. Any instances whereby an individual knowingly refuses to comply with authorities in the investigation are likely to attract charges of non-compliance. The particular instance may have such charges levied on Gorski ...

Introduction

In the discipline of forensics, the field of ballistics is the “study of motion, dynamics, angular movement, and projectile units (bullets, missiles, and bombs). In the context of a criminal investigation, there are a host of possible applications to aid in the facilitation of a criminal conduct. Bullets that are discharged at a crime scene will be inspected in an attempt to discover pieces of evidence and information. Among the pieces of information that police hope to recover from the bullet are the possible type of gun used in the crime, whether the gun was used in a previous crime, and other information that ...

Crime Scene Investigating (CSI) follows teams collecting and securing evidence, conducting lab experiments, interviewing witnesses and applying forensic evidence to solve crime mysteries. In CSI Miami Season 1, episode 10 (dubbed A Horrible Mind) involved an investigation of a homicide of an unorthodox professor, whose tortured body was found hanged as if by a cult. The victim was a cultural anthropology lecturer, who attracted revulsion from his colleagues and parents, but was well-appreciated by his students, mainly because of his controversy-laden course. In the investigation, which was trained on the professors’ cult-like students, the episode brings to the fore entrenched racial/religious tensions ...

The collection and processing of forensic evidence in the course of death investigation is an endeavor that requires different professionals from various disciplines. During death investigations, the specialist such as the forensic experts works in collaboration with the law enforcement, coroner officers, and medical practitioners. The forensic experts have the training to perform analysis of the forensic evidence that other personnel do not have. Forensic archeology is one of the disciplines that provide specialized expertise during a crime scene. A crime scene that has human remains can complicate the process of forensic evidence. The complexity in the issue leads to ...

False Confession

A false confession refers to an admission of guilt by a suspect whereas the confessor is not responsible for the offence charged. Such an event can be as a result of incompetency on the part of the accused, insanity or may as well be induced through coercion. The story of the Norfolk Four as depicted through the film, The Confessions, is a classic case of false confession by the accused persons who were consequently convicted. It is also critical to note as evident in the film that the Norfolk Four waived their rights as laid down in the Miranda case. The possibility ...

Thesis: The Death Penalty is not fair because innocent people are convicted, some have been almost executed, some have been executed and exculpatory evidence was discovered post execution and some have been executed despite of exculpatory evidence. The high cost of prosecuting Death Penalty cases reflects this.

INTRODUCTION I In spite of far reaching ramifications many states in America still apply and carry out the Death Sentence.

A. The Death Sentence is obtained and carried out inconsistently. B. Death Sentence cases cost much more to prosecute than those of life without parole because of the finality of the sentence.

BODY

II Death Sentence cases create situations where innocent people can be executed, or wait for years on “Death Row” ...

Mathematics

The topic for this research study is the applicability of DNA evidence in resolving criminal cases. Thesis Statement: DNA evidence is not an accurate means of identification of suspects because DNA analysis can be compromised, prone to errors and opposing interpretations due to external factors such as environment, contamination and bad laboratory practice. According Gardner and Anderson (2009), DNA evidence remains to be the most accurate means to identify a person. It has been an important development in criminal investigation and also a significant contribution to the entire criminal justice system. It provides a reliable basis for conviction. It has ...

Incident management processes, business continuity and disaster recovery planning are the fundamental concepts required of any business entity. Incident management is a coordinated practice at the corporate level that is dependent on round the clock reporting line and quick assessment and escalation for severity. A sound and formal protocol and procedure should be adhered to in relation to incident resolution and recovery. This may include 24 hour incident response team and incident communication procedures. In addition, virtual meeting rooms may be designed to bring together all the required personnel with regular status update. Business continuity planning is best practices ...

Introduction

Crimes digital evidence recovery from the storage media is actually a growing time consuming process since the storage media capacity is in a constant growth state. In addition, it is a complex and difficult task for forensic investigator to examine all the locations in storage media. In modern days, it is actually generally accepted that there is continuing technological evolution including networks, computers, and e-commerce among others, which are ever more involved in aspects of human life. Crimes and illegal activities have in addition increased with the technological evolution. Various organizations are in fact suffering from computer crimes and criminals, which perpetrate ...

Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines science as “a system of knowledge covering general truths or the operation of general laws especially as obtained and tested through scientific method.” On the other hand Forensics is defined as “suitable to courts of judicature.” As such, Forensic Science is the use of a knowledge system covering general truths, tested through scientific method that is suitable to judicature or to public discussion and debate. Comparing and contrasting “normal” science with forensic science is a quixotic task. The contrast is absurd on its face because forensic science is appropriately a part of the normal sciences – were it not ...

Introduction

Forensics refers to the use of scientific knowledge for the collection, analysis, and presentation of evidence to the courts (Guo, Jin & Hang, 2011).More specifically, forensic science refers to “the application of scientific techniques and principles to provide evidence to legal or related investigations and determinations” (Guo et al., 2011, p. 225). Although forensic science has been employed in crime investigations since the early twentieth century (Palmer, 2002) through the use of traditional forensic techniques, the emergence of computers and other forms of technology has led to crimes that are being committed either in the cyber world or ...

Introduction

Computer forensics concerns the technical knowledge necessary for collection, analysis and provision of digital evidence in a court of law. Computer forensic refers to the collection, discovery, and preservation of digital data for use in a court of law for the protection of entities or individuals (Bayuk, 2010). This has been in response to the major increase in electronic crimes since the 1970s, especially in the financial sector.

Computer Anti-Forensics

Anti-forensics are the tools, procedures and techniques that undermine forensic tools and the work of forensic investigation. Anti-forensics aims at disrupting the collection of information, avoiding detection, increasing investigation time and reducing the ...

In this case, John Marvin was accused of killing two police officers—Mathew Tokuoka and Anthony Wallace—at Hoonah, on 28 August 2010. Dr. Lois Michaud, a forensic psychologist, believed that Marvin was competent to go for the trial as he was simply non-committal whenever he was asked to give his version of the case. The authority who investigated the case was a firearms identification expert. He was able to examine a bullet as well as a cartridge, which were both fired (Smith and Ray 780). According to the expert, the two were fired from a rifle in the home of the defendant. Therefore, ...

"Trifles" by Susan Glaspell "Trifles" by Susan Glaspell is a play replete with symbolism. While the men go and search the crime scene for forensic evidence, their two wives solve the crime by examining the small trifling details in the kitchen. Each of these is symbolic of a greater truth in another woman’s life. More by what is left unsaid than spoken it is clear they can do this because they relate to the small details of a marriage turned bleak. They can do this because the symbolism of these trifles is so strong that the third woman never appears on ...

There exist numerous classifications of narcotic drugs in criminal law. Despite the ability of narcotics to relieve pain by depressing the central nervous system, all narcotics do not affect the body the same way. There are some narcotics that are accepted for medicinal use, while others are described as illegal drugs and substances. For example, “The U.S Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) divides narcotics into scheduled classifications (one through five) based on the potential for abuse and medical use” (Ray & Dhawan, 2010).

Under the US Controlled Substance Act 1990, narcotic drugs are classified in four Schedules.

The required forensic evidence needed to obtain a conviction in a drug case

There are provisions ...

According to US-CERT (2008), computer forensics is a discipline that combines law and computer science elements to collect and analyze data from computer systems, wireless communications, networks as well as storage in a manner that that is court of law treats as admissible. Similarly, Rouse (2007) clarifies that it is the use of computer analysis and investigation to collect evidence appropriate for purposes of presentation in any court of law. Its main goal is to carry out planned investigations while at the same time maintaining a well documented chain of evidence to exactly establish what happened and who is accountable. In essence, ...

Criminal Identification Procedures in the 21st Century: DNA Analysis

At present, forensic science is virtually unregulated—with the paradoxical result that clinical laboratories must meet higher standards to be allowed to diagnose strep throat than forensic labs must meet to put a defendant on death row.

—Eric S. Lander, molecular biologist, 1989

Advantages and Disadvantages of DNA in Law Enforcement DNA is the most scientifically sound, among all forensic tests used in criminal investigations; yet, it is the most strictly regulated (Giannelli, 2011). In 1988, the FBI established the Technical Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods (“TWGDAM”) to assure quality control in DNA analysis. A few years later, Congress passed the DNA Identification Act ...

Criminal profiling combines psychological analysis with crime scene analysis to identify the profile of a criminal offender. There are two main types of profiling: typological and geographic. Typological profiling focuses on the type of criminal, whereas geographic profiling focuses on the environment in which the crime was committed and where the criminal may live.

Key words: behaviour profiling, ordered and disordered crime scene, typological and geographic offender profiling

Criminal Behaviour Profiling

Dr. James A. Brussel, a psychiatrist from New York, came up with the first criminal behaviour profile in 1957 (Ainsworth, 2001). Dr. Brussel profiled George Metesky, the ''Mad Bomber,'' who had been ...

Serial killers are always an interesting study and the United States has had its fair share of these, especially in the last century. The case selected for analysis here is Jeffrey Dahmer who killed a large number of underage boys after having lured them and had sex with them. It remains one of the most compelling cases of recent times not least due to the fact that Dahmer himself was murdered while serving out a life term in prison a few years after he was convicted (Purcell, 2006). Jeffrey Dahmer was a serial killer who murdered a huge number of men in a spree ...

Forensic analysis

There are two main classifications of chemical compounds that forensic experts use in their qualitative and quantitative analysis; organic and inorganic. Organic refers to those compounds that are made up of carbon element as their structural backbone and are found in living organisms. On the other hand, inorganic compounds are those whose structures are based on the other elements. However, this distinction is still more general. This is because some inorganic compounds, for instance lime, also called calcium carbonate, comprises of carbon. In addition, all compounds having carbon do not necessarily come from living organisms. Cases in point are ...

1. The admissibility of scientific evidence and expert testimony in court has been the subject of recent debate in both UK and USA. Briefly discuss the background and compare and contrast how courts in both Britain and America make sure admitted evidence is relevant and reliable.

Introduction

The courtroom, never an isolated corner of the societal landscape, has felt science’s impact. Over the years, courts have tried various methods to respond to the increasing influx of science. However, the problem of defining standards for admitting scientific expert testimony is one with a venerable history and in all likelihood, an enduring ...