Landmark Cases That Changed Forensic Science
Amber Alert: U.S. Department of Justice – Amber Alert: http://www.amberalert.gov/
(No trial information, more on program, legislation, statistics, etc.)
Andrews, Tommy Lee: Rapist Convicted on DNA Match:
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=940DE2D9153DF935A35751C0A96E948
260
Barboza, Joe: FBI Testified on Behalf of Hit Man:
http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2002/02/20/Feature_FBI_testified_on_behalf_of_hitman/UPI24931014237792/
Bell, Mary – The Trial Begins:
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murders/famous/bell/trial_7.html
Blanding, Mary: Find Law- In the Matter of Mary Blanding:
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=or&vol=A107470&invol=1
Borden, Lizzie - The Trial of Lizzie Borden 1893:
http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/lizzieborden/bordenhome.html
Browne and Kennedy –
1. Frederick Guy Browne and William Henry Kennedy:
http://books.google.com/books?id=k3o1aQAgTMC&pg=PA168&lpg=PA168&dq=%22browne+and+kennedy%22,+Gutteridge,+1927&source
=bl&ots=mBfhB4h0VM&sig=g3zQIM_KyB5D4gEV2UpI0UfpbfY&hl=en&ei=dhDBScLQFoSHtgeAprBY
&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=6&ct=result
2. The Development of Ballistics: http://www.historybytheyard.co.uk/pc_gutteridge.htm
Bundy, Ted – Ted Bundy, the Trials:
www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/notorious/bundy/14.html
Camb, James – The Porthole Murder:
http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/1973456.the_porthole_murder/
Chamberlain –
1. Lindy & Michael Chamerlain (Dingo) Trial :
http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/chamberlain/chamberlaintranscript.html
2. The Trial of Lindy and Michael Chamerlain (the Dingo Trial):
http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/chamberlain/chamberlainaccount.html
Charles, Clyde –
1. Frontline Interview (see also; “cases”) – Clyde Charles:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/case/interviews/charles.html
2. DNA Gothic:
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9902EED7133AF934A15757C0A9659C8B63
&pagewanted=all
Chase, Richard – Richard Trenton Chase – The Trial:
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/weird/chase/trial_6.html
Coors, Adolf III –
1. Selection of Soil Evidence:
http://books.google.com/books?id=xgnYLTBwCXYC&pg=PA439&lpg=PA439&dq=adolf+coor
s+III,+soil,+murder,+forensic&source=bl&ots=vH7D9LFwCA&sig=HnzZwA7p4jSMz6QORGH
9PWx3kvY&hl=en&ei=uo7DSdXeMoSNtged5JBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=3&ct=res
ult#PPA439,M1
Coppolino, Carl – Carl Anthony Coppolino Trials 1966 & 1967:
http://law.jrank.org/pages/3150/Carl-Anthony-Coppolino-Trials-1966-1967.html
Cotton, Ronald – DNA Initiative: Ronald Cotton:
www.dna.gov/postconviction/convicted_exonerated/cotton
Crafts, Richard – The Woodchipper Murder Case – The Trial Begins:
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murders/family/woodchipper_murder/12.html
Curley, Janne – Forensic Toxicology – Heavy Metal:
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/criminal_mind/forensics/toxicology/8.html
DeSalvo, Albert – The Boston Strangler, The Jury Speaks:
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/notorious/boston/17.html
Duffy, John - Biography, John Duffy (see Trial):
http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_story/535:452/1/John_Duffy.htm
Fairley, Malcolm –
1. Types Forensic Evidence, Paint Case Study:
http://www.babington.leicester.sch.uk/Studentresources/science/types%20of%20evidence%20notes.
doc
2. The Hunt for the Fox: http://www.stalbansreview.co.uk/news/453104.the_hunt_for_the_fox/
Flight 191 –
1. Loyola Medical Center Assists in Solving Identification of Bodies From the Crash of Flight 191:
http://library.luhs.org/Historical/Photos/Profile/ProfileAutumn1979.pdf
2. Knowing When to Stop: the Investigation of Flight 191:
http://dspace.mit.edu/bitstream/handle/1721.1/39430/59008054.pdf?sequence=1
Gacy, John Wayne – John Wayne Gacy Jr. Trial:
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/notorious/gacy/trial_7.html
Genovese, Kitty –
1. The Verdict: http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/predators/kitty_genovese/9.html
2. Bystander Effect: http://dic.academic.ru/dic.nsf/enwiki/190257
Hauptman, Bruno:
1. Handwriting Evidence From Lindberg Case:
www.gale.cengage.com/pdf/samples/sp403243.pdf
2. http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/Hauptmann/Hauptmann.htm
Hendricks, David: Google Books “Reasonable Doubt” by Steve Vogel:
http://books.google.com/books?id=k8O8gmfDV20C&pg=PA294&lpg=PA294&dq=%22david+hendrick
s%22,+%22reasonable+doubt%22&source=bl&ots=ck3TsZfniz&sig=2zNaF7uXVIe9jRxp9BU7bzlSW
WE&hl=en&ei=oeLISd2BONOrtgfTi9SlAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result#PPA343,M1
*** Note: Search “time of death” ***
Hiedemann, Gerd – Konrad Kujau’s Hitler Diaries – The Trial:
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/criminal_mind/scams/hitler_diaries/15.html
Hussong, Brian –
1. A Game Warden is Reported Missing: http://www.history.com/this-day-inhistory.do?action=Article&id=1136
2. Wardens Play Key Roles in Solving Crimes Murder Investigations Shows Diversified
Assignments Wardens Take On: http://www.history.com/this-day-inhistory.do?action=Article&id=1136
3. Forensic Voiceprints: http://www.care2.com/c2c/groups/disc.html?gpp=5154&pst=855449
Irivng, Clifford – Clifford Irving’s Hoax:
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/gangsters_outlaws/cops_others/clifford_irving/index.html
Jack the Ripper –
1. Profile of Jack the Ripper:
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/notorious/ripper_profile/1_index.html
2. Criminal Profiling – Jack the Ripper:
http://books.google.com/books?id=1V2SRqrTnLgC&pg=PA441&lpg=PA441&dq=%22jack+th
e+ripper%22,+criminal+profiling&source=bl&ots=CA7xAOwiCy&sig=l5Zgwl2I0XBsk3pIsDhL
YHQyNNk&hl=en&ei=OzPKSZfeCMzJtgfa5_meAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=8&ct=re
sult
Jennings, Thomas –
1. Fingerprints (cntrl + F “Jennings”):
www.americanheritage.com/articles/magazine/it/2001/1/2001_1_22.shtml
Jessica’s Law –
1. Jessica Lundsford Act (Jessica’s Law Proposition 83): http://www.personal-injuryinfo.net/jessica-lunsford-act.htm
Dr. Kevorkian – Frontline – The Kevorkian Verdict:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/kevorkian/
Kuklinski, Richard – Richard Kuklinski, The Iceman – The Trial:
www.crimeandinvestigation.co.za/famous_criminal/101/the_trial/1/Richard_Kuklinski_The_Iceman.ht
m
LaFarge, Marie –
1. The Marsh Test: http://www.artistsbooksonline.org/works/tmtt.xml
2. Forensic Toxicology:
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/criminal_mind/forensics/toxicology/3.html
List, John –
1. Forensic Art – The Artist and the Murderer:
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/criminal_mind/forensics/art/1.html
2. The Wesfield Leader News Times – John List Archives: http://www.goleader.com/list/
3. John List – The Trial:
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murders/family/list/17.html
Markov, Georgi – Racine and the Assassination of Georgi Markov:
http://www.scialert.net/qredirect.php?doi=pjbs.2008.2370.2371&linkid=pdf
Megan’s Law –
1. Megan’s Law.org: http://www.meganslaw.org/
2. Megan’s Law: http://www.expertlaw.com/library/criminal/megans_law.html
Mengele, Josef – The Long Search for Josef Mengele – How Forensic Science Identified a Notorious
War Criminal: http://knol.google.com/k/michael-kelleher/the-long-search-for-josefmengele/2x8tp9c7k0wac/4#
Metesky, George – The Mad Bomber: http://drvitelli.typepad.com/providentia/2009/01/the-madbomber.html
Mitchell, James –
1. Digital Litigation – The Prejudicial Effects of Computer Generated Animation in the
Courtroom:
http://www.law.berkeley.edu/journals/btlj/articles/vol9/Selbak/html/text.html
2. Computer-Generated Displays in Courtroom: For Better or For Worse?:
http://webjcli.ncl.ac.uk/1996/issue4/oflah4.html
Mitnick, Kevin – Kevin Mitnick: http://everything2.com/title/Kevin%2520Mitnick
M’Naughton Ruling – The Insanity Defense: An Overview and Legislative Proposals:
http://digital.library.unt.edu/govdocs/crs/permalink/meta-crs-8500:1
Nickell, Stella –
1. Poisoned Painkiller Panic: The Snow Nickell Cyanide Murders:
http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=pf_output.cfm&file_id=5643
2. Who Killed Bruce Nickell?: http://nickell.tierranet.com/tales/bruce.htm
Noe, Marie – Mother Sentenced to Probation for Killing her 8 Children:
www.nytimes.com/1999/06/29/us/mother-sentenced-to-probation-for-killing-8-of-her-children.html
Pan Am Flight 103 – Security Rules Tightened for U.S. Airlines Abroad:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/longterm/panam103/stories/faa123088.htm
Pitchfork, Colin –
1. Colin Pitchfork: http://www.murderuk.com/one_off_colin_pitchfork.html
2. DNA in the Courtroom:
http://books.google.com/books?id=A6NEyFuP6b0C&pg=PA3&lpg=PA3&dq=pitchfork,+trial,+dna&sou
rce=bl&ots=JhoAEbZG_A&sig=2fSIEBUAcs0bwFfFaJJ576g8xc&hl=en&ei=bdDMSdb1ENnrlQfo6anrCQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum
=6&ct=result#PPA3,M1
Rablen, Eva – Chronicle of Murder: 1929: Eva Rablen (ebook - page 178):
http://books.google.com/books?id=k3o1aQAgTMC&pg=PA179&lpg=PA179&dq=%22eva+rablen%22,+poisoning,+trial&source=bl&ots=mBfi
z1h2WN&sig=fdTZLqeeFdD7GHXcfd0jFQHfm0&hl=en&ei=GNHMSYPPN9bqlQeC2fTRCQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&res
num=1&ct=result#PPA178,M1
Ramirez, Richard – Night Stalker: Serial Killer Richard Ramirez, The Los Angeles Trial:
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/notorious/ramirez/trial_9.html
Rojas, Francesca – Suspect Identities: A History of Fingerprinting and Criminal Identification (ebook
– page 128):
http://books.google.com/books?id=3CYqtVk6oI8C&pg=PA128&lpg=PA128&dq=rojas,+fingerprint,+ca
se,+1892&source=bl&ots=M_j2QVJF_l&sig=mtbUuklEQ2HiOOCel2Xjfa_yRVg&hl=en&ei=u9TMScW
FJZHNlQehmLXQCQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=3&ct=result#PPA128,M1
Romanov, Anastasia – DNA Testing Lays Romanov Murder Mystery to Rest:
http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/healthday/2009/03/11/dna-testing-lays-romanov-murdermystery-to-rest.html
Ruxton, Buck –
1. Heroes and Villains: Dr. Buck Ruxton:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/lancashire/content/articles/2008/04/22/history_buck_ruxton_feature.sht
ml
2. A Fly for the Prosecution (ebook, page 12):
http://books.google.com/books?id=DAa0BzT7Mf0C&pg=PA12&lpg=PA12&dq=%22buck+rux
ton%22+murder,+trial&source=bl&ots=JwrCsriEjC&sig=CvkYlCSlJTZ6BCigJ_T9QudJ7w&hl=en&ei=9uvMSZTdLODtlQfp6rXvCQ&sa=X&oi=book_res
ult&resnum=10&ct=result#PPA12,M1
Sacco & Vanzetti – The Trial of Sacco and Vanzetti, 1920:
http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/SaccoV/SaccoV.htm
Shawcross, Arthur – The Genesee River Strangler – The Trial:
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/predators/shawcross/11.html
Simpson, OJ – OJ Simpson – The OJ Simpson Murder Trial – Prologue:
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murders/famous/simpson/index_1.html
Stielow, Charles - The Stielow Firearms Arms Identification Case:
http://jimfisher.edinboro.edu/forensics/stielow.html
Stratton Brothers – The Stratton Brothers Trial:
http://people.stu.ca/~mclaugh/FINGERPRINTS/HISTORICAL_REACTIONS_WEBPAGE/FINGERPRI
NTS.HTML#THE_STRATTON_BROTHERS_TRIAL
Tessnow, Ludwig – Serology: It’s in the Blood:
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/criminal_mind/forensics/serology/2.html
Truscott, Steven – Steven Truscott: The Search for Justice:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/truscott/
Webster, John White –
1. Guilt By Association - Dental Casts of Dr. George Parkman (victim):
www.countway.harvard.edu/chm/rarebooks/exhibits/gilt/gilt5.html
2. Murder at Harvard: John White Webster (1793-1850):
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/murder/peopleevents/p_webster.html
Williams, Wayne – The Atlanta Child Murders: The Trial:
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/predators/williams/27.html
Zeigler, W. Thomas Jr. – Supreme Court of Florida: Zeigler vs. State of Florida:
http://www.floridasupremecourt.org/decisions/2007/sc05-1333.pdf
The following topics are not landmark cases, but these cases went unsolved for a
prolonged period. Instead of explaining the landmark nature, explain how the
perpetrators were able to elude authorities for so long. How did they avoid
detection?
BTK – Birth of a Serial Killer:
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/unsolved/btk/index_1.html
Berkowitz, David – Son of Sam:
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/notorious/berkowitz/letter_1.html
Dahmer, Jeffrey – A Victim Almost Escapes:
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/notorious/dahmer/index.html
Hilley, Marie – Marie on Trial: www.trutv.com/library/crime/notorious_murders/women/hilley//13.html
Kemper, Edmund – Edmund Kemper, the Coed Butcher:
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/predators/kemper/edmund_1.html
Kaczynski, Theodore – Theodore Kaczynski: The Unabomber:
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/terrorists_spies/terrorists/kaczynski/1.html
Lucas, Henry Lee – The Henry Lee Lucas Story:
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/notorious/henry_lee_lucas/1.html
Mitchell, Brian David – The Kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart:
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/criminal_mind/sexual_assault/elizabeth_smart/1_index.html
Ridgeway, Gary – The Mind of a Serial Killer:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/02/10/60II/main599266.shtml
Zodiac Killer: The Zodiac Killer:
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/notorious/zodiac/river_1.html
Timeline Help
Trace evidence
Ballistics ****
Locard’s Exchange Principle
Microscope
Soil – murder of Adolph Coors
Textbook
comparison microscope
helixometer
Bureau of Forensic Ballistics
Textbook
At Valentine’s Day Massacre
Use firearmsid.com for help teaching
about
ballistics.
Psychological Profiling ****
Skeletal Anthropology****
Organized verses disorganized killer
Behavioral Sciences Unit of the FBI
Jack the Ripper
Textbook
Arthur Shawcross
skeletal differences between
males/females, races
George Parkman
discovery of X Rays
Textbook
Odontology
Toxicology
Discovery of X Rays
9/11/ 2001
Ted Bundy
George Parkman
Textbook
arsenic
cyanide
Curare
chapter in Confessions of a Medical Exam.
textbook
Serology
Polygraph****
Acid phosphatase test for semen
Use of UV light
Includes DNA
Textbook
Go beyond blood
Annie Lemberger
Use of polygraph in the military, business,
government, law enforcement, etc
Laws (Frye standard, etc)
DNA****
Watson and Crick
Alec Jeffreys – RFLP
Innocence Project
Laws passed by Congress
Textbook
Time of Death*****
Algor mortis, rigor mortis, livor mortis
Stomach contents
Book: Confessions of a Medical Examiner
Textbook
Use of insects
POWERPOINT TIMELINE PRESENTATION
THE HISTORY OF ……
Power Point requirements:
Use complete sentences in bulleted from.
No Paragraphs!
Reword what you find. It must be in your own words!
Use multiple sources and corroborate all work.
Distracting sounds and visuals are not allowed.
The presentation may not be read to the class.
Merge your work with your partner’s work. The end product is one Timeline.
A bibliography is required. If the bibliography is not there, the project is
not in.