Crime Investigation

Case Study 1

Is the shooting likely to be a suicide or a homicide? What facts support this?

From the case study context, the shooting was suicidal or in other words, Mary Jones committed suicide. There are apparent reasons for this opinion and they include; 

• A gun (22 revolver) was lying beside her
• She owned a gun-meaning that there is a possibility she intentionally killed herself
• A mark where the bullet entered is present
• There is a piece of background information that might have contributed to her suicidal intent (relationship issues­) (Wagner, 2016).

 

 How should the investigation proceed?

These evidences suggest suicidal intent but this First Information Report (FIR) is not enough and this means that there should be a crime spot analysis. The  investigating officers and  forensic technicians should  proceed with the investigation  for the purpose of  understanding the cause of death,  discover inherited disorders, promote peace of mind to the family and friends, an asset the family with life insurance,  provide  evidence to the court,  identify defective devices among other reason (Wagner, 2016). In conducting a death investigation, the death scene investigator from the federal government or county should coordinate with the medical examiner or pathologist in order to give a valid report. The named participants of crime investigation should enter into the crime scene and the first thing should be to examine the body in order to collect sufficient facts and gather evidence. They should confirm and pronounce death for the purpose of certifying death.  After confirming the death, they should secure the scene for the purpose of preserving the evidence and control the people who enter and leaves the covered section. Then, the death scene investigator should have a digital camera to take photos and record significant details that will be presented to the court. The purpose of photography is to capture the position of the body, capture the process of body removal from the scene, document the memory, share the digital images and allow the experts and jurors to review the documents (Wagner, 2016). It is important to use multiple angles while taking the photos and the photographer should also include images of all physical objects. After collecting all evidence  from the death scene, the  death investigator should establish a preliminary opinion or in other words,  he should  provide  objective analysis  by presenting  own opinion  regarding  the nature of the  death   with reference to the gathered facts and  information (Wagner, 2016).  The purpose of the preliminary opinion is to prove guilt so that the court can take further steps to proof the case.

Case Study 2

What steps should be taken immediately?

The immediate step is to arrive as the lovers' lane where the body is found. The police officers who received the report should start conducting investigations by arriving at the scene, find any suspect, and secure the scene (Wagner, 2016). They should collect all details and observations   in the scene including the condition of the victim, nature of incidence, and find potential hazards such as weapons.

Where would you expect to find leads? 

 According to the case study context, I expect to find leads from Jerry (step-brother) since he is associated with both the victim and the suspect and he was the first person to experience the event.  I can also find leads from teachers and the person who reported the matter to the police. Jerry should act as the witness and the information given will help the officers develop possible suspects.

What evidence would you expect to find?

After collecting information from the witnesses regarding the matter, the   police officers should start finding evidence on whether the man who picked Denise is the murderer. To find the suspect, the police should deal with the person who gave the report.  The reporter should act as a witness so that he can give testimony relevant to the crime (Wagner, 2016).  Even though the witness may not provide accurate information, the police officer will be able to conduct an investigation under reasonable grounds.

Specifically, how would you investigate this murder?

• Specifically, I would investigate the murder by employing the following steps:
• Arrive at the death scene and wear protective clothing
• Secure the scene by using road blocks
• Identify witnesses and interview them thoroughly. Witnesses might be passers-by, and residents
• Collect information and gather all physical evidence in the death scene
• Forward the gathered information to the jurors (Wagner, 2016).

 

 

 

Reference

 

 Wagner A. Scott. (2016). Death Scene Investigation: A Field Guide.  CRC PRESS