CSI: 1st lesson and thoughts

Case of the Trash Tosser

Suspect of crime: Raccoon

Raccoons are omnivores, and Slylock fox found evidence of vegetables and fish bones. The bull is herbivorous, and so is not likely to be the suspect.

Awareness Test

How many tosses did you count?
Did you get it correct?

I counted 13 tosses, which was correct. However, I definitely did not notice the moon walking bear! This means that I can actually stay focused on something without being distracted by other things, which may prove useful in helping me stay focused on tasks that I am doing. I have heard of something similar, but a gorilla walked by instead of the bear. The bear was cleverly dressed in black, which was similar to what the black team was wearing and hence not very noticeable.

Crime Scene Investigation

• List the physical evidence that you have found on the various crime scenes.
• What are the field of studies that were brought up in the case study?
• What qualities should you possess or cultivate to be a good investigator?

Clues collected


1.     Footwear impressions allow you to match the impression with actual footwear owned by suspect.
2.     Toolmark impressions allow you to match the impression with actual tools owned by suspect.
3.     Paint examination allows you to match a tool to the crime scene, when the tool is found.
4.     Computer composites can help with suspect identification.
5.     Hair analysis enables comparisons with the suspect's hair or with hair found on the suspect's clothing
6.     Document analysis can verify the authenticity of a document and who the author is.
7.     Fingerprint analysis is still the predominant means of establishing positive identification.
8.     Blood stain pattern analysis tells you how a crime was committed.
9.     Blood analysis lets you identify a victim or a suspect, because DNA is unique to each individual.
10.  Wound analysis can help with identifying the murder weapon.
11.  Pathology allows you to establish time of death and compare with suspect's schedule.
12.  Fiber analysis rests on the principle that whenever two individuals are in contact, materials (dust, paint, cloth etc.) are exchanged at a microscopic level.   

Evidence

1.     Foot print

2.     Paint

3.     Tool work

4.     Physical “crime tool”

5.     Blood/splatter/stain

6.      Fiber

7.     Wood

8.     Hair

9.     Document-handwriting

10.   Time of death (TOD)

11.   DNA fingerprint

12.   Wound

Field

1.     Forensic Scientist

2.     Morphology

3.     Pathologist

Qualities of a good investigator


A good investigator has to be very observant and sensitive to details, in order to pick up clues easily. She must also be patient because sometimes, it takes a long time before one can form an accurate picture  of the crime as people may give false witnesses.