Fan C. Baker Lab

The popular television show, CSI: Crime Scene Investigations has been on the air for 12 years, and it has brought forth the behind-the-scenes actions of criminal investigations, even if its portrayals are not always scientifically accurate. This has caused an interest in the forensic sciences that has led most people to a skewed view of how a criminal investigation actually works. The reality of a criminal investigation is that it is generally more tedious and difficult than the theory of criminal investigation would have you believe. By examining the forensic and investigative procedures of the case of Pamela Foddrill, it is apparent that the theory of criminal investigation was not representative of the procedures concerning examination

Upon further analysis of the woman’s bedroom, the forensic officers used a chemical called amido black. Amido black is a protein dye that is sensitive to the protein in blood and when it makes contact stains a latent blue-black colour. It is used for revealing fingerprints, trace evidence, and fibers that may be in the crime scene. This technique was not useful for the officers because they could not find any prints or evidence. The forensic officers also performed an ultraviolet light test which was used to reveal trace evidence such as vaginal fluid, urine, semen, or saliva. The ultraviolet test is usually done before using chemicals such as luminol to see if there are any fibers to be found and used first. However the officers were not able to find anything, but this method was useful to them because they could not find any evidence to prove that

While investigations were going on to determine how victims died, there was a discovery of fibers on the victims’ bodies. The goal of the investigator was to determine if any fibers in Wayne Williams home or person matched those fibers found on the victims. Williams denied killing

In the last test, we had to test out a mystery powder (powder A, B, C), in its own separate test tube, in order to solve the Sherlock Holmes Mystery. Our group had powder C. When we mixed water in the mystery powder, it did not dissolve. When the litmus paper was put into the test tube it turned blue. When the vinegar was mixed it bubbled/foamed up. When we mixed the iodine solution, there was no reaction and the solution turned to a dark brown/black color. When we mixed in the baking soda there was no reaction and it turned to an even darker color.

The expert testimony in the Wayne Williams case was vital in explaining the evidence to the jury (Imwinkelried, 1983). It is reasonable to concede that jurors have no prior knowledge of forensic science. Additionally, jurors will most likely have no prior knowledge of the different variations, color spectrums, moreover the uniqueness of various items presented as evidence in this case. As a prosecutor, it would important to include the testimony of fiber experts with extensive knowledge of the article presented. This expert would be able to articulate to the jury the unique qualities as well as characteristics of the fibers.

The world of Forensic Scientist is an amazing and fascinating place. There are so many aspects that go into forensic science but in this paper we are only covering bloodstain spatter patterns. Bloodstain spatter patterns are not solely used to solve crimes but I do feel it is one of the most important. Bloodstains never lie.

The Louisiana State Police Crime Laboratory was developed to provide the highest quality of professional forensic services to the State of Louisiana. The commitment of the agency includes applying sound scientific principles in all analyses, being responsive to our customers, conducting our operations in a fair and objective manner, and being a leader in advancing forensic science. The mission of the laboratory is to assist all of the local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in Louisiana in the investigation of criminal activity (Office of Public Safety Services, 2015). The agency is also committed to providing accurate and timely scientific analysis of items of physical evidence and reporting the results of those analyses to appropriate entities in the criminal justice community.

Wayne Williams was suspected of murdering more than twenty young, African-American youths in Atlanta, Georgia from 1979-1981. During an eight week trial, fiber evidence played a very big role in the case against Wayne Williams in 1981. The District Attorney’s office in Fulton County Georgia used fiber debris that was found on the bodies of the deceased and traced them back to Wayne Williams; the debris came from belongings of Williams’ daily surroundings (automobile and home). During the trial, fiber evidence was used against Williams in connection with twelve of the victims and out of those twelve, hair and fiber evidence matched those of eleven victims (Saferstein, 2011).

Another letter came out and the killer talked about moving away and that he would never be caught. Again, matched Dr. coworker.

Introduction: Anna Garcia, age 38, was found dead in her home at 9:56 a.m., the scene was processed at 10:20 a.m. She was found near a knocked over table facedown with blood coming from somewhere on her body, most likely her head area. The EMT pronounced her dead and a investigation began on whether or not this was a crime. She recently divorced her now remarried ex-husband whom does not get along well with. The ex-husband’s wife has not been known for being nice or fond of Anna Garcia, making her a suspect.

In the Casey Anthony case Jeff Ashton who is a former state attorney in Orange county Florida, and also the first prosecutor in the United States to get a conviction based on DNA decided to use a new Forensic method in the Anthony case. The smell of death would be the allowed as evidence for the first time ever. In the trunk of Anthony’s car was a stained area on the carpet and an odor. Ashton stated that the smell was that of human decomposition. That piece of carpet was removed, sealed and sent to Dr. Vass, a forensic anthropologist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Dr. Voss has been studying human decomposition at the University of Tennessee’s “body farm”.

In this case study Forensic Toxicology was used to solve the murder of Robert Curley and obtained the conviction of his wife Joann Curley.

Forensic science is a key aspect of Criminal Justice that helps rid the streets of lunatics and murderers. One of the most important fields of forensic science is blood spatter analysis. Under the Crime Scene Investigation, analysts gather the information that could eventually lead to a victim’s killer. Basic and complex information can be found when analyzing blood. We can learn what kind of weapon was used, the time of death of a victim and other important facts that can help a case. The pattern that the blood gives off give forensic scientists the tools that they need to help solve cases.

I have always loved suspenseful whodunit television shows, movies, and books that use forensic science to crack the cases. My favorite television show is The First 48, my favorite movie is The Silence of the Lambs, and my favorite book is The Body Farm. Therefore, I was excited to have the opportunity to take this course and learn even more about the subject of forensics. This essay gives a summary of N. E. Genge’s book, The Forensic Casebook: The Science of Crime Scene Investigation, and includes the things I disliked and liked about the book.

Stefanoni's laboratory conducted the forensic analysis and later proved not certified to conduct analysis of traditional DNA let alone Touch DNA (Waterbury, 2011). Rich (2011) expands on Stafanoni's errors including conducting a body temperature reading the day after Kercher was found instead of on the day, resulting in an estimated time of death without a concise time frame. The knife taken from Solleccito's kitchen failed to show traces of blood and Stefanoni determined that the knife had been bleached (Rich, 2011). This result was later rebuffed when the substance on the knife proved to be potato starch (Rich, 2011). Waterbury (2011) expands on the information of the knife stating the knife tested was determined too large to create the