Forensic science in criminology refers to the use of technology to gather and analyze data that will be used as proof in court. When Mathieu Orfila released a paper in 1847 outlining how to identify poisons in crime scenes, the field of forensic science entered the 19th century. (James, Nordby & Bell, 2002). Alphonse Bertillon, a different scientist, developed the first method of recognizing people in 1879. Alphonse Bertillon's methods required measuring eleven different variables. The suspects were measured in a variety of ways, including their height, reach, and breadth. Still in use today is the Bertillon technique. However, in 1903, the application of the method became questionable when a prisoner called Will West measured similar
to another inmate called William West. Therefore, there was no way to tell the differences (James, Nordby & Bell, 2002). Only fingerprints were different leading to the method being replaced by fingerprints (Lee, Ramotowski & Gaensslen, 2001). Karl Landsteiner is another scientist who contributed immensely to the field of forensic science. He discovered the different blood groups of the A, B and O system of classification. Leone Lattes created the procedure of using dried blood to classify in the A, B and O system. Another scientist that contributed is Calvin Goddard. He created the comparison microscope that is used to identify guns used in crimes in 1929. A lawyer who was also a judge named Hans Gross discussed the use of scientific evidence in courts. Finally, a biochemist called Paul Kirk came up with the use of biochemistry in crime investigation as evidence in courts in his 1953 book titled “Crime Investigation” (James, Nordby & Bell, 2002).
Initial Response
Computer-aided dispatching allows the police to either able to prevent crime or respond to calls rapidly. Because sexual assault mostly happens in enclosed environments, it is tough to prevent the offenses. Therefore, investigative techniques are fundamental to ensure perpetrators are convicted. Thus, initial responder should do several things on initial contact with the responder or caller. In the case of Mary, it is crucial that the police ask whether or not she has been injured in the event. If there is physical injury, it is important to send an ambulance. second, ask if the victim can identify the suspect. Then, dispatch a unit to the place where the crime has happened. Also, advice the victim to wait for the police and calm to avoid distorting the crime scene. Also, the victim-Mary should not shower before the medical exam to retain evidence (Tasca et al., 2013).
The police officers who first arrive at the crime scene, in this case, the house of Billy, where Mary stayed with her grandson must ensure that the victim has been attended to medically (Infobase, n.d; Tasca et al., 2013). The crime scene should be protected as follows. First, one of the responders, most likely female should interview the victim in a private environment to know whether or not she can identify the offender. The case of Mary, on arrival, the offender was still lying on the bed, and he was arrested.
While entering the house of Billy, where the victim was, it was important that they enter carefully to avoid tampering with evidence (Infobase, n.d.). Observe whether any vehicles leave the place. Also, it was important to scan the whole place for secondary scenes. The officers were also supposed to their safety considering that the suspect was still at the scene. The area should be treated as a crime scene until investigations are over.
In the case of Mary, she was injured and therefore sent to a medical facility. It is important that an officer goes with her to record her statement and secure her (Infobase, n.d). The medical officers at the scene should be guided not to tamper with the scene. Also, it is important to record the name as well as the contacts of the paramedic who reports at the scene for future communication. The officer that accompanies Mary to the medical center should ensure that he or she secures all evidence such as the cloths of the victim. It is also essential that the officer that remains at the scene records the statements made by witnesses, victims and the suspect in which case it was Billy (Infobase, n.d.). In the case of Mary, there were no other people present at the scene.
It is also essential to secure the people at the crime scene. The police should control the movement of the people at the scene and identify them. In the case of Mary, it was important to recognize her as the victim and her grandson as the suspect.
It is also important to secure the boundaries of the scene. The scene should be identifies beginning from the focal point to the exterior. The case of Miss Mary, the bed in which she was assaulted is significant (Infobase, n.d.). The officer should then turn over the crime scene to an investigator. The officer should turn over the documentation to the investigator. Then, he or she should brief the investigator and wait until he is relieved.
In a nutshell, the reporting officer should record the observations of the scene of the crime. The officer should document the location, in the case of Miss Mary, the site is the place where the house of Billy is located (Infobase, n.d.; Tasca et al., 2013). It is also essential to document the items at the scene and the condition of the place at arrival. Other things that should be recorded include the condition of items like furniture, doors, smells, liquids, the status of the victim and others. The actions made by the officers should also be recorded (Tasca et al., 2013).
Documenting the scene
It is important that the scene and the injured persons are photographed. The investigator should check to ensure that the path of entry of personnel is established (Tasca et al., 2013). Also, examine the boundaries and determine the number of scenes available. It is also essential to have a temporary place for placing evidence from the scene. Also, it is vital that the whole area is canvased and the results are recorded (Tasca et al., 2013).
Processing
Create a team that will take part in processing the evidence depending on the type of evidence. The team should be based on forensic needs of the investigation. For example, in the case of Miss Mary, the case was that of assault and possible rape. Therefore, the team should be one that can handle the type of evidence collected. The team members should control the interference of the evidence (James, Nordby & Bell, 2002). The access to the scene should be limited to the people involved in the processing phase. It is also essential to follow the secure entry and exit routes at the scene. Then the team should identify the responders who entered first and collect elimination samples. Use personal protective equipment to prevent contaminating the scene. Clean and dispose of tools used in the processes. Also, single-use instruments should be used in collecting biological samples. Documentation of the scene should involve taking photos and videos if necessary. Also, the investigators should take important notes.
In the case of Mary, three crucial pieces of evidence should be collected. First photos of the place should be taken. Pictures are important in reconstructing the scene in court. Another piece of evidence is biological samples. Another piece of evidence is the medical exam (James, Nordby & Bell, 2002). The third piece of evidence is DNA samples from the bed of the victim and the body of the victim.
The medical exam is collected by the medical practitioner that examines the patient at the healthcare facility. The exam should be recorded, and the records kept permanently.
DNA samples should be collected from the scene of the crime scene using the single-use equipment. The samples should then be taken to the forensic laboratory for analysis and the results recorded for use (James, Nordby & Bell, 2002).
Importance of the Evidence
The photos are important because they present the original condition of the scene and the condition of the victim. In the case of Mary, photos were used in court to show that she was gripped and therefore did not fall off and injure herself (Infobase, n.d). The prosecution used the photos to convince the jury of how the crime happened by reconstructing the crime scene and showing how the victim was injured in the event.
DNA samples are essential in proving that the suspect indeed sexually assaulted the victim (James, Nordby & Bell, 2002). DNA samples from biological samples collected from the bed and other parts of the crime scene are important in proving that the suspect was indeed present. DNA is usually unique to everyone and therefore used to determine that the offender was indeed involved by comparing the DNA at the site and the DNA of the suspect. The forensic information from DNA is the identity of the perpetrator and the fact that the defendant indeed raped the victim.
Medical exams are essential in showing that the victim was indeed injured. In the case of Mary, the medical review was critical in proving that she was harmed ((Infobase, n.d; James, Nordby & Bell, 2002). According to the video, the presence of an injury in the virginal area confirmed that she was indeed raped. Therefore, the forensic observation was that the victim did not injure herself, but was assaulted by the suspect.
Summary of the Forensic Findings
Mary, a 96-year-old woman, was the victim of the assault ((Infobase, n.d). The victim was assaulted by the suspect both physically and sexually. The victim was dragged around the area of the home before she was taken to her bed where the suspect sexually assaulted her. During the process of dragging the victim, the victim injured her hand as proven by the medical exam. According to the medical examination, the victim suffered injuries to her vaginal area. Therefore, she was raped. The identity of the suspect as the rapist was confirmed with the DNA test that the forensic department took. The DNA analyzed was collected both from the vaginal area of the victim as well as the bed of the victim where the suspect allegedly raped her.
References
Infobase. (n.d.). He Wouldn't Turn Me Loose: The Sexual Assault . Retrieved October 12, 2017, from https://fod.infobase.com/OnDemandEmbed.aspx?Token=49099&aid=18596&Plt=FOD&loid=0&w=640&h=480&ref
James, S. H., Nordby, J. J., & Bell, S. (Eds.). (2002). Forensic science: an introduction to scientific and investigative techniques. CRC press.
Lee, H. C., Ramotowski, R., & Gaensslen, R. E. (Eds.). (2001). Advances in fingerprint technology. CRC press.
Tasca, M., Rodriguez, N., Spohn, C., & Koss, M. P. (2013). Police decision making in sexual assault cases: Predictors of suspect identification and arrest. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 28(6), 1157-1177.
