Crime Scene Investigators Story

After analysis of the evidence we were able to map out the story.

Ginger Snap use to work with Candi Stores as an adult entertainer and decided she wanted something more in life and became a bartender at a local popular club. Ginger and Candi use to do drugs but Ginger went to rehab and got clean as a requirement to work at the club. Three days before the murder Candi called Ginger and asked for money to buy some drugs. Ginger agreed to give a gold necklace the next night if she came to the club. The following night, the night before the murder, Candi came to the bar and bought a drink but managed to sprinkle in some cocaine before Ginger returned to give her the necklace. When Ginger returned she handed Candi the necklace. Candi left soon after that. But Ginger had a feeling that the trade wouldn't go well knowing that the necklace was fake, and wrote a note that said "Please help me" so that if anything happened there would be justice. The next night, the night of the murder, Candi returned to confront Ginger and tell her that the necklace was fake but found out that Ginger was closing and decided to wait, but came early to hang out getting another drink and sprinkling in cocaine. The cup had left both Candi and Ginger's finger prints. When Ginger closed Candi walked her to the car and they got into a large argument about the necklace, always keeping a knife in her pocket for protection she pulled it out in the heat of the moment and slit Ginger's neck. Looking for anything that could support buying more drugs Candi looked through Ginger's purse. When she did she found the note that Ginger had written the previous night and ripped it up so there would be no chance of leading her to the crime. Suddenly feeling guilty Candi took out another piece of paper and wrote "I needed the money" hoping that it would be an excuse. Suddenly feeling more guilty then she could handle Candi dropped everything and ran.

Crime Scene Investigators

We had an amazing test that put everything we learned to the test. We were given eleven clues, and had to solve a crime. My group  and I were assigned to scene two.

We were given a few things to aid us in the crime solving including a micro scope and chemicals to test substances for other things.
Our clues included:
Clue 1: A dead body with a sliced neck. It was a woman who had red hair and a name badge on her chest, and she was found on a car outside of a club.

Clue two: O- Blood found on scene

Clue 3:A finger print with a delta loop.

Clue 4/5: A cup with a liquid, lipstick on the edge and possible poison, but my group and I found no poison.

Clue 6: A white fiber

Clue 7 and 7A: Clue 7 is the victims hand writing saying "Please help me" and Clue 7A is the killers hand writing that says "I needed the money"

Clue 8: Wool fiber taken from the victims sweater

Clue 9: Gold Necklace

Clue 10: Finger print with a single loop

Clue 11: Finger print left on glass

Using our evidence including our fingerprints and handwriting we were able to narrow our victim to Ginger Snap(O- blood type and a bartender) and our killer as Candi Stores(O- blood type, Entertainment Field(adult), Theft Conviction, Drug Conviction).

In Class Createing a Profile Analysis

In class we were given 5 clues
Clue 1:

Clue 2:

Clue 3:

Clue 4:

Clue 5:

From a previous anylasis of hair we had to determine what were the hairs found in Clue 2 and 4 the we had to decide what we Knew, What we didn't Know, and What we could do to figure it out:

In Class Witness Experiment

In some cases if someone witnesses a robbery or anything along those lines they will call the witness in to try and identify the culprit. In this experiment we had to cut out a picture scramble it up then trade and try to place it back together, this is how it ended up.

In Class Lip Analysis

We were given lip stick/gloss and had to place it onto our lips (Note: no lips actually touched the actual stick/gloss, fingers were used to apply the color) then using a notecard we needed to lay down a lip print then identify the different parts of our lips.

In Class Hand Writing Analysis

We were given a sheet of paper with three boxes one on which we had to write the sentence "The brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." both in print and in cursive.

Then we needed to trade the paper with a neighbor and they needed to forge our hand writing free style.

Then we needed to trade again and the next person needed to trace the sentence again.

It was much easier to trace to forge the hand writing than it was to do it free style.

After this activity we were given blank checks and had to write a check, then we had to rip it up and trade our checks then we had to try and deside whose check was whose.

In Class Hair Analysis

The second thing we analysed in class was hair and the different types. We were given different samples including:
White Girl Hair(Hair Dyed)
Black Girl Hair
Asian Hair
Dog Hair
Cat Hair
Synthetic Hair
Silk
Nylon
Cotton
Wool.
We needed to find:
Color
Condition
Distinguishing Features
and Draw a Picture

In Class Fingerprint Analysis

To jump start Forensic Science we began with finger printing with our own fingers then we were left to decide what our finger prints were in the different types found in one of the first posts.

After Learning how to lay our prints down we had the opportunity to learn how to lift our prints.

First we learned how to lift them off of a dark hard surface using corn starch:

 

Famous Forgery Cases

The Howard Hughes Hoax
In 1970, authors Clifford Irving and Richard Suskind concocted a scheme to forge an autobiography of notoriously eccentric and reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes. Assuming that Hughes would never come out from hiding to denounce the book, they felt that their plan was fool-proof. Irving went to publisher McGraw-Hill claiming that Hughes had approached him to write his life story and that he was willing to correspond with only the author. As proof, Irving produced forged letters that he claimed were from Hughes. McGraw-Hill agreed, paying $765,000 for the right to publish the book. When word of the book was made public, however, Hughes contacted reporters to denounce it as false. Not wishing to appear in public, the billionaire would talk to reporters only via telephone. Thus, a "spectographic voiceprint analysis," measuring tone, pitch and volume, was conducted to determine if the speaker was indeed Howard Hughes. Although a handwriting expert had previously been fooled by the notes that Irving had forged, the voice analyst correctly identified the speaker as Hughes. Irving was exposed and confessed before the book was published. He spent 17 months in prison, while Suskind spent five. Irving later wrote a book about the scheme, The Hoax, which became a major motion picture in 2008

12 Handwriting Characteristics

1. Line quality: Do the letters flow or are they written with very intent strokes.
Look over the “line quality” of the paper you are examining. Make line quality observations about your sample.



2. Spacing of words and letters. What is the average space between words and letters? Make notes over the “spacing” of your evidence paper



3. Ratio of height, width, and size of letters: Are the letters consistent in height, width, and size?
Observe your ratios and record your findings. Measure short and tall letters.



4. Lifting pen: Does the author lift his or her pen to stop writing a word and start a new word?
Observe the “lifting pen” habits and record your findings.


5. Connecting strokes: How are capital letters connected to lower-case letters?
Observe the “connecting strokes” habits and record your findings.


6. Strokes to begin and end: Where does the letter begin and end on a page?
Observe the “strokes” habits and record your findings.


7. Unusual letter formation: Are any letters written with unusual slants or angles? Are some letters printed rather than written in cursive?
Observe your “unusual letter formation” habits and record your findings.
8. Pen pressure: How much pressure is applied on upward and downward strokes?
Observe any “pen pressure” habits and record your findings.


9. Slant: Do letters slant to the left or right? If slant is pronounced, a protractor may be used to determine the degree.
Observe the “slant” habits. Use a protractor to record your findings.
10. Baseline habits: Does the author write on the line or does the writing go above or below the line?
Observe any “baseline” habits and record your findings.


11. Fancy writing habits: Are there any unusual curls or loops or unique styles.
Observe any “fancy writing” habits and record your findings.
12. Placement of diacritics: How does the author cross the t’s or dot the i’s.
Observe any “diacritics” habits and record your findings for the top and bottom samples

History of Hand Writing Analysis

The interest in handwriting as an indicator of personality has its origins far back in history. Over 2000 years ago, Aristotle noticed the correlation between handwriting and personality while the Chinese independently also made the observation that there was a connection between character and writing. It was however, only in 1622 that an Italian physician and professor of philosophy at the University of Bologna, published a book describing the analysis of character through the study of handwriting.   In the late 1800's, Abbe Michon who was the headmaster of a school in Paris and a respected intellectual, wrote several books on the subject and coined the name of "graphology". Later, his successor, Crepieux Jamin, classified the many features of graphology into a comprehensive system. Meanwhile, during the 1890's in Germany, Dr Ludwig Klages, a philosopher and graphologist, applied gestalt theory to graphology, advanced his theories of rhythm and "form level" and significantly broadened the scope of graphology. Max Pulver, a Swiss professor who lectured in Graphology at the University of Zurich used psychoanalysis for the first time in the interpretation of graphology. This line of investigation was also followed by Ania Teillard, who worked closely with C.G. Jung for 20 years and applied his typological theories (extrovert and introvert etc.) to the theory of graphology. Alfred Binet, the renowned psychologist who founded the present method of I.Q. Testing for intelligence was a firm supporter of handwriting analysis. He confirmed that certain character traits are reflected in handwriting. As a method of personality assessment, handwriting analysis has been validated by research using both empirical and clinical procedures. http://graphicinsight.co.za/background.htm

Famous Cases Using Hair and Fibers

Ted Bundy
Although serial killer Ted Bundy was responsible for an estimated 30-plus murders, there was little physical evidence to connect him to the crimes when he was arrested in 1975. Two years later, having been convicted only of kidnapping, Bundy was preparing to stand trial for murder in Colorado when he escaped and headed to Florida. There, he killed three more people early in 1978, and when he was finally captured in February of that year, the physical evidence in those cases led to his conviction. Most crucial was the matching of a bite mark on the buttock of victim Lisa Levy to the Bundy's distinctive, crooked and chipped teeth. He was convicted also of the murder of 12-year-old Kimberly Leach based on fibers found in his van that matched the girl's clothing. Bundy was put to death in 1989.




The Atlanta Child MurdersIn a two year period between 1979 and 1981, 29 people -- almost all children -- were strangled by a serial killer. Police staked out a local river where other bodies had been dumped and arrested Wayne Williams as he was driving away from the sound of a splash in an area where a body was recovered a couple of days later. Police didn't witness him drop the body, so their case was based largely on forensic evidence gathered from fibers found on the victims. In all, there were nearly 30 types of fiber linked to items from Williams' house, his vehicles and even his dog. In 1982, he was convicted of killing two adult victims and sentenced to life in prison, although the Atlanta police announced that Williams was responsible for at least 22 of the child murders.




Jeffrey MacDonald
Early in the morning of February 17, 1970, the family of Army doctor Jeffrey MacDonald was attacked, leaving the doctor's pregnant wife and two young daughters dead from multiple stab wounds. MacDonald himself was injured by what he claimed to be four suspects, but he survived with only minor wounds. Doubt was immediately cast on the doctor's story, based on the physical evidence on the scene that suggested that he was the killer. However, the Army dropped the case because of the poor quality of the investigative techniques. Several years later, though, MacDonald was brought to trial in a civilian court. Key evidence was provided by a forensic scientist who testified that the doctor's pajama top, which he claimed to have used to ward off the killers, had 48 smooth, clean holes -- too smooth for such a volatile attack. Furthermore, the scientist noted that if the top was folded, the 48 holes could easily have been created by 21 thrusts -- the exact number of times that MacDonald's wife had been stabbed. The holes even matched the pattern of her wounds, suggesting that the pajama top had been laid on her before during the stabbing and not used in self-defense by the doctor. This crime scene reconstruction was crucial in MacDonald's conviction in 1979. He was sentenced to life in prison for the three murders.


http://www.ehow.com/about_6102496_forensic-science_-hair-fiber-analysis.html

Reliability of Hair/Fiber Crime Scene Data

Publications made by John Glaister and later, John Hicks, confirmed the accuracy and validity of hair science. DNA testing and microscopic hair comparison have helped to convict felons who would have otherwise gone free, and have also overturned wrongful convictions, such as the case of James Driskell, who sat in prison for 12 years until a DNA test of a hair proved his innocence. Careful examination of hair fibers conducted by a number of qualified professionals provides sufficient validity to allow the use of hair fiber analysis as evidence in courts.

    

http://www.ehow.com/about_6102496_forensic-science_-hair-fiber-analysis.html

How Do Scientists Analyze and Use Hair/Fiber Data?

Hair from a crime scene can tell investigators much about the victim or criminal. -- Analysis can reveal the presence of poison or dye, and even racial differences. Hairs with roots and tissue attached may not only make DNA testing possible, but indicate a struggle took place. Hair from animals can also provide important evidence.





http://karisable.com/crdna1.htm

Hair and Fiber Collection Techniques

Recover all hair present. If possible, use the fingers or tweezers to pick up hair, place in paper bindles or coin envelopes which should then be folded and sealed in larger envelopes. Label the outer sealed envelop.



If hair is attached, such as in dry blood, or caught in metal or a crack of glass, do not attempt to remove it but rather leave hair intact on the object. If the object is small, mark it, wrap it, and seal it in an envelope. If the object is large, wrap the area containing the hair in paper to prevent loss of hairs during shipment.



Fibers and threads can also be compared with suspects clothing to determine whether or not they could have come from this clothing.



 If threads or large fibers are found, they can often be picked up with the fingers and placed in a paper bindle, then in a coin envelope, which can be sealed and marked. Never place loose fibers directly into a mailing envelope since they can be lost from this type of envelope.
If the fibers are short or few in number, and if it is possible to do so, wrap the area or the entire item containing the fibers in paper and send the whole exhibit to the Laboratory.
Pick up fibers on tape only if the laboratory in your jurisdiction allows it and gives you its requirements. When fibers or threads are recovered, always send all clothing of persons from which they might have originated to the Laboratory for comparison purposes.
 




http://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/collect.html

Major Types of Fibers

Wool is popular in the manufacture of clothing and home furnishings as it is warm, resists wrinkle, is lightweight and durable, absorbs moisture, is flame resistant, and has a natural stretch and elasticity.



Silk is a natural protein fibre containing about 70-75% of actual fibre fibroin secreted from two salivary glands in the head of the silkworm larva, and about 25-30% sericin, a gum which cements the two filaments together.



Cotton is a soft fiber that grows around the seeds of the cotton plant. Cool, soft and comfortable, cotton is presently the world's most used fiber. Every part of the cotton plant is useful and we see its application in industries such as apparel, home furnishings, medical and surgical, automobile, etc.



Polyester is a strong fiber that is resistant to crease, stretching and shrinkage, hence the ability to hold its shape well. Touted the best 'wash-and-wear' fiber, polyester is easy to care for and is washable, hence its wide usage in essentially every form of apparel and home furnishings.



Rayon drapes well, has a soft, silky hand, and has a smooth, napped, or bulky surface. Rayon is highly absorbent but does not insulate body heat, hence making rayon garments ideal for use in hot and humid climates. The durability and appearance retention of regular rayon are low and will wrinkle easily and may stretch when wet and shrink when washed. Rayon also has the lowest elastic recovery of any fiber.





http://www.numei.com/fiberfacts.htm