Read through the following crime scene scenario then write a report that discusses your analysis of the scenario (include answers to the guiding questions).
Setting: A college campus accessible to the public. A classroom has just been cleaned and vacuumed. The instructor arrives early, well before any students have arrived for class. She places her purse on the lower shelf in the computer console cabinet with no handle located in the classroom. She then walks out of the open door to the restroom to freshen up before class. As she enters the rest room she greets two departing women not known to her. Upon returning to the classroom the instructor notices the room door partially opened and the cabinet door where she left her purse wide open. Her purse is gone. She notifies security and in turn the school’s evidence technician is subsequently dispatched.
The evidence technician performs a tape lift on the floor and finds strains of hair that do not belong to the victim. There are also traces of soil found near the door in faint foot prints that lead into the classroom. The footprints do not match the shoes of the victim. A used tissue with traces of what appears to be red lipstick is collected from the wastebasket.
Case Analysis:
Apply your knowledge of Locard’s Exchange Principal to analyze the preceding scenario for potentially useful evidence. After analyzing the crime scene be sure to include the following in your written analysis:
Description of your examination of the evidence and why certain evidence is important to the case and why other evidence is not.
Classify the crime scene evidence according to its usefulness in court.
Determine how to collect the useful evidence to avoid contamination. Why is the proper collection and handling of the evidence important?
Describe the proper procedure for evidence collection, documentation and storage. Include:
The chain of custody with regard to security and transportation of evidence.
What are the various roles people play during evidence collection and processing?
How does communication affect the chain of custody?
Follow the chain of custody of the piece of hair that was found from the tape lift from its collection to the circuit court trial.
Why is it important to remain unbiased in the collection and interpretation of the evidence?
What are the ethical issues that might arise during the collection, processing and evaluation of evidence in this case?
How might the mishandling of evidence affect the outcome of this case?
THIS IS A FORENSICS SCIENCE CLASS!
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