Identify a case in the news, or local media of interest. Analyze the case for the presence (or absence) of evidence to (1) determine that a crime occurred, (2) identify the perpetrator, and (3) apprehend the perpetrator. In the presentation of the case, discuss the evidence involved and how it may or may not satisfy the above criteria. If possible, discuss the types and functions of evidence that are present (or absent) in the case. [Basic facts; Inculpatory v. exculpatory evidence; Judicial v extrajudicial evidence; Establish proof of crime and prove particular person guilty; Standards of proof (Probable cause and beyond a reasonable doubt & Reasonable suspicion and preponderance of evidence); Totality of circumstances (w/ informant); Direct v indirect/circumstantial evidence; Testimonial evidence (Lay witness v expert witness); Real, demonstrative, and documentary evidence; Corpus delicti, corroborative, and cumulative evidence, Associative, identification, and behavioral evidence}
Examples include but are not limited to these cases and student can choose other cases of interest:
George Zimmerman
Ariel Castro
Natalee Holloway’s disappearance
The Boston Marathon bombings
Last Completed Projects
| topic title | academic level | Writer | delivered |
|---|