Summer Research Institute 2005
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Revised from Documents Presented by Southern Institute of Forensic Science, New Orleans, June 2005
An Introduction to Crime Scene
Investigations
Susan A. Bender
Summer Research Institute 2005
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Revised from Documents Presented by Southern Institute of Forensic Science, New Orleans, June 2005
Is His Mother A Blood Relative?
A Lesson in Blood Spatter Analysis
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Revised from Documents Presented by Southern Institute of Forensic Science, New Orleans, June 2005
Is His Mother A
Blood Relative?
Police are called to a house where they find a woman dead in the middle of
her living room floor. All signs immediately point to a homicide. The police
have been called to the scene by the victim’s son, who provides them with
the following story:
“I came home from school and my mom was cooking dinner. I didn’t want to
eat what she was fixing, so I decided to walk to the KFC down the street to
get some hot wings. But when I got there, I realized I had left my wallet
and had to go home to get it. When I got to the front walk, I saw the front
door was open, and I rushed in and found my mom on the floor bleeding; her
purse was sitting on top of her body. I tried to get her to wake up, and then
tried CPR, but I think she was dead when I got here. That is when I called
you. Someone must have broken into the house after I left and killed her for
her money. I don’t know anyone in the world who would want to hurt her. But
I do remember a strange looking man lingering around the neighborhood for
the last several weeks, but he never seemed like any sort of threat.”
Little did he know that the description he gave matched the appearance of
Sam Spade, whom the police had under suspicion for an unrelated crime.
This scenario is based on a true case from the 1980’s in Greeley Colorado. There is a correct answer
to this case, and a suspect was arrested, charged and convicted.
The police are immediately suspicious of the son’s story. Let’s see if you can
piece the evidence together to come up with a solution to this chicken
hearted crime.
Here is the evidence: (Remember good detectives make notes about the
details from witness statements and evidence from the crime scene.)
1. There is a tremendous amount of blood at the scene, and signs of a
tremendous struggle.
2. A search of Mr. Spades home revealed a number of suspicious items;
including a white undershirt that appeared to have blood on it.
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Revised from Documents Presented by Southern Institute of Forensic Science, New Orleans, June 2005
3. External examination of the mother’s purse has blood on the handle on
the underside.
4. The mother has been stabbed 35 times with a large sharp object.
The amount of violence is a sign of extreme anger.
5. There is a cleaver and a butcher knife missing from the butcher block
on the kitchen counter, it is found in the kitchen sink and it is still
wet.
6. There was also a bloody toothpick found on the counter next to the
sink.
7. During an interview with Mr. Spade he explained he had not had any
visitors in his home in recent weeks and had not left his home for the
last week. He claimed that the blood on his shirt was his own that he
had cut himself with the kitchen knife that the police found in his
sink. Later investigation revealed that the butcher knife in Mr.
Spade’s sink matched the set of knives in the residence of the victim.
8. The son has blood on his clothes. He has on a button down light blue
polo shirt. The shirt is not tucked into his jeans The following is a list
of the locations of the blood spatter on the shirt and clothes:
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There is blood spatter in small lines across the back of his
shirt and across the shoulder.
There are small drops inside the collar and underneath the
front lower flap of the shirt.
There is also blood on the back of his jeans on the lower left
leg,
There is blood on the edges of the left knee of his jeans.
There is also blood inside the calf of the right leg of his pants.
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Revised from Documents Presented by Southern Institute of Forensic Science, New Orleans, June 2005
9. The police discover through observation of the son, that he is right
handed.
10. The blood spatter pattern in the house indicates that the attack
started at the kitchen table, the mother had obviously been seated
and ready to eat her dinner. There is food on the table. The table has
been set for two. There is an overturned chair beside the table.
There is a newspaper on the edge of the table with vertical blood
spatter drops on it and it is open to the automotive section with
several car ads circled. The police believe that the mother had been
interrupted while she was eating and had tried to make it to the front
door to escape her attacker. There are blood drops on the floor next
to the threshold. There is a bloody drag mark across the floor
indicating she had been dragged back into the room. There are bloody
footprints leading backward away from the body, and anther set
leading to the phone. There is no blood on the phone or the table near
the phone. There is an arterial spray at about 5 feet from the floor
on the wall to the left of the kitchen table. There is also a smeared
bloody handprint on the door jam. There is an obvious set of cast off
marks on the ceiling above the body
11. Upon examining the contents of the mother’s purse they find a bloody
check stub from the IRS in the amount of $3000 and a bank deposit
slip for the same amount. There is about $50 in cash in her wallet,
and there is no blood or bloody prints on the wallet.
12. A test of the blood stain on the shirt found in Mr. Spade’s home
reveals that it was from a person with type AB blood. Unfortunately
the victim, Mr. Spade, and the victim’s son all have type AB blood. So
the initial tests were unable to support or refute the contention that
Mr. Spade was the perpetrator.
13. Mr. Spade and the victim’s son were asked for a cheek swab to match
to the bloody toothpick found on the sink on the victim’s residence.
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Revised from Documents Presented by Southern Institute of Forensic Science, New Orleans, June 2005
You are asked to investigate the samples collected and determine as
much information as possible about their origin. Your results will be used
to determine whether a case can be made against Mr. Spade, the victim’s
son or another perpetrator.
Procedure:
1.
Observe the male and female slides for the two tissues
provided, epithelium and blood. Note any differences that you observe
between the tissues of males and the tissues of females.
2.
Examine the evidence slides. Using the differences that you
noticed in the prepared epithelium and blood slides, determine
whether the evidence came from a male or a female.
As the lead detective, you decide to arrest the son based on the evidence
that they have found at the scene.
a. Why is the fact that the son is right handed significant to your case?
b. How did blood spatter patterns on his shirt provide evidence?
c. How were these blood spatter patterns generated? Sketches of the
scene might help the jury convict your suspect.
d. What other evidence leads you to suspect that the son is not telling
the truth?
e. How did you establish that he was a person of interest?
f. What was his likely motive?
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Revised from Documents Presented by Southern Institute of Forensic Science, New Orleans, June 2005
Blood in the
Secret Garden
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Revised from Documents Presented by Southern Institute of Forensic Science, New Orleans, June 2005
Blood in the Secret Garden
It is June and the weather is hot, a young couple is found murdered. Both
victims are found outside the female victim’s apartment in a small enclosed
courtyard. Leading to the garden is a small set of stairs. This is where the
female victim is found lying face down. There are multiple stab wounds on
the front of the female victim’s body and her throat has been slashed
obviously from the rear. There is no arterial spray near or around the female
victim. There is blood on the front of the female victim, but there is no
blood on the bottom of her shoes. The only blood on the back of the female
victim is some bloody shoe prints on the back of her blouse that lead down
the stairs and away from the scene. There is blood on the ground around the
female victim, and there are bloody footprints leading to and from the male
victim.
The male victim is found propped against a wall on the opposite side of the
courtyard. There are multiple stab wounds to the victim’s torso and there
are multiple defense wounds. The male victim’s throat is so severely slashed
that the head is almost severed. There is blood on the wall next to the male
victim, from an obvious arterial spray. There is blood on the ground around
the male victim and there is blood on the bottom of his shoes.
In addition to the blood evidence found at the scene, a single leather glove
was found at the edge of the garden. It was saturated with both the male
and female victim’s blood and a third type of blood, possibly belonging to the
killer.
Can you establish the order of events that took place in this crime scene?
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Who was killed first?
Who would you suspect (your person of interest) is guilty of this crime
considering there were multiple stab wounds present on both of the
victims?
How would you account for the fact that the footprints leading from
the male victim cross the female victim’s back and lead down the
stairs and out of the garden?
If you find a suspect how could you determine if the blood on the
glove belonged to the person of interest?
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Revised from Documents Presented by Southern Institute of Forensic Science, New Orleans, June 2005
Diary Of A Crime Scene
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Revised from Documents Presented by Southern Institute of Forensic Science, New Orleans, June 2005
Diary of A Crime Scene Investigation:
There are certain responsibilities assumed by each of the law enforcement
professionals that arrive at the crime scene and who will continue to
investigate the suspicious circumstances that surround the death.
The first officer on the scene will:
 Make sure the scene is safe and the offender has either been
arrested or has fled the scene.
 Render aid if necessary
 Survey the area to determine the extent of the crime
 Secure the scene
 Contact a supervisor
 Touch nothing unless absolutely necessary
 Document all observation and actions
In order for the next set of investigating officers to enter the crime scene,
one of the following three criteria must be met:
1) Secure a warrant (to do so you must show that a crime has been
committed with pictures and a written description of the scene).
2) Request consent from the owner of the property. If the property is a
public right of way, you still must secure permission from a governmental
official.
3) Is there an emergency that requires immediate entrance to the scene?
*Even if you have consent of the owner or you may consider it to be an
emergency, you can enter the scene, but you cannot collect evidence until
a warrant has been obtained.*
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Revised from Documents Presented by Southern Institute of Forensic Science, New Orleans, June 2005
Then the lead detectives and the crime scene technicians will sign the
entrance log to the scene and begin observing and collecting evidence.
The most important skill of the lead investigator is his/her powers of
observation and the notes that he/she takes at the scene. A crime scene
sketch is drawn to be used for placement of evidence. Witness
statements are taken by the detectives at this point and contact
information from the witnesses is collected. All evidence collected at the
scene is placed into paper evidence bags and is labeled and sealed.
Firearms are placed into a safe box with straps that secure the weapon
to the box so that it does not shift in transit thereby destroying and
trace evidence such as fingerprints that might be present on the weapon.
The body of the victim cannot be removed until someone from the
Medical Examiner’s office or Coroner’s office has arrived at the scene.
At the scene, paper bags are placed over the hands of the victim. These
bags are sealed with evidence tape and the tape is signed (initials are
partially on the tape and partially on the bag to help determine if the
tape has been disturbed) by the lead detective on the scene.
During the entire process pictures are taken of the scene, usually one
close-up shot and one at a predetermined distance and a panoramic view
of the entire scene to show the relationship of the victim and the other
evidence at the scene. Many of the pictures are taken using a one to one
scale that allows for direct measurements and comparisons of the
evidence from the photographs and does not necessitate the use of the
actual evidence from the crime scene. Once a crime scene has been
altered, it has been destroyed forever, and cannot be recreated.
When it is time to transport the body from the crime scene the body is
wrapped in a clean white cotton sheet that is labeled as to direction of
placement of the body. This sheet allows all trace evidence that might
fall of the body during transport to be collected and examined. The body
is NEVER placed directly into the black plastic body bag. It would be
difficult to locate evidence 1) against a black background 2) if it is
degraded after in comes in contact with the plastic.
Once the body is removed from the scene it is transported to the
Medical Examiner’s office or the Coroner’s Office. When the body
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Revised from Documents Presented by Southern Institute of Forensic Science, New Orleans, June 2005
arrives at the morgue, a technician signs for the body and all of the
personal effects that accompany the body are receipted. Jewelry is
described by color, yellow metal not gold and clear stones, not diamonds.
There is a liability issue. If the documentation that accompanies the
body to the funeral home, indicates that the victim had a diamond ring
and the ring was actually the Walmart plastic special the Medical
Examiner’s office is legally responsible for the cost of a diamond ring.
All external anomalies are observed, and measurements and locations of
wound are documented on a paper chart and by photograph. Positions of
wounds are measured as a distance from the bottom of the victim’s feet
to the location of the wound. X-Rays are taken of the body to find
bullets, or the location of previous injuries. If bullets are found they are
removed and sent to the ballistics lab for comparison to other evidence
that may have been found at the crime scene or may be matched to a gun
that is later linked to a possible suspect. If blunt force trauma is
suspected, photographs of bruising patterns are taken to be matched to
crime scene reconstructions to help determine the type of object used
during the assault.
If the victim was stabbed, photographs are taken of the wounds, and
latex may be used to recreate the appearance of the blade or other
weapon that created the injury. All body hair is combed to remove trace
evidence, and the body is thoroughly examined with alternate light source
to view fibers, and particulates. The body may also be examined for
fingerprints from the perpetrator.
A Y-shaped incision is made from clavicle to sternum and extends down to
the top of the pubic bone and the incision is at the depth of the body
cavity or the depth of the ribs. In females, the incision is made lateral to
the breasts and down under the breast. The skin from the top of the
body is lifted toward the head and flaps are created along the sides of
the body. They do not use a saw or clippers to chop the ribs because of
the danger of aerosolization of bone fragments and the possibility of
disease and clippers create sharp bone fragments that can be dangerous
to the person performing the autopsy. The ribs are removed by cutting
through the cartridge that attaches them to the breastbone.
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Revised from Documents Presented by Southern Institute of Forensic Science, New Orleans, June 2005
Blood that may have collected in the body cavity is collected and
measured. Arteries are cut and tied off so they do not retract into the
body. Blood is drawn from the descending aorta, fluid is drawn from the
vitreous chamber of the eye, and urine is drawn from the bladder. These
samples are sent to the toxicology lab for analysis. Typically the
metabolites of the drugs or other substances are present (Metabolites
are the fragments of the drug that are left after the action of the
digestive system or the action of other substances and processes within
the body.) Time since death can be determined by measuring the
potassium levels in the vitreous fluids of the eye, and if a person has
been strangled the small blood vessels in the eye break these are called
petechia.
Next the heart, esophagus, and descending aorta are removed. The
physician will reach under the mandible and tongue. The trachea and
esophagus come out -all in one piece with the lungs attached. The organs
below the diaphragm are removed individually. Stomach contents are
collected and this can be used to help establish time since death. The
individual organs from the chest cavity are now dissected out from the
block of organs. The entire length of the intestine is examined (run) to
determine the presence of injury or foreign objects in the intestine. In
an autopsy performed by the Medical Examiner, the brain is always
removed; if the autopsy is performed in a hospital the brain is not
normally removed. The entire autopsy process usually takes 30-45
minutes. In the case of significant trauma to the body the autopsy may
take weeks to complete. Once completed, the organs are returned to the
body cavity and the incisions are stitched closed. The body is then ready
for pick up by the funeral home.
Once the manner and cause of death have been established, the lead
detectives are notified and the investigation proceeds. Witness
statements are examined and further leads are developed. Ballistics and
toxicology reports are not immediately available to investigators so they
must pursue other avenues of investigation.
Once the toxicology reports are available, the medical examiner will
inform the investigators of the prescription, and illicit drugs and alcohol
that were present in the body fluids of the victim,
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Revised from Documents Presented by Southern Institute of Forensic Science, New Orleans, June 2005
The Dentist Who Smiled in the Face of Death
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Revised from Documents Presented by Southern Institute of Forensic Science, New Orleans, June 2005
Student Instruction Page
The Dentist Who Smiled in the Face of Death
As a part of this project, you will assume the role of the lead investigator.
You have been called to the scene of a crime. The initial information that
you have been provided is as follows:
The deceased is dressed in only a pair of black boxer shorts. The bed the
deceased is lying in is unmade. The room is clean and obviously maintained.
It appears that the cause of death is a gun shot wound to the chest.
Your initial assignment is to read the coroner’s initial report to establish
background information for your investigation. Take careful notes of the
clues that might be provided in the report. Once you are satisfied with the
information that you have been provided the next step is to establish an
interview and witness list. Customarily, the first people interviewed are
those found at the scene of the crime when the police arrive. This initial
interview may lead you to an arrest or may point you in the direction of
further clues.
To receive copies of interview reports you must ask your teacher for the
name of the specific person or relationship of the person to the victim. If
you or the coroner has sent evidence to various state agencies for analysis,
you must request copies of these reports Keep track of the information that
you collect from the interviews these are your clues to what really happened
to the victim.
You may have to consult experts in the fields of ballistics, pathology,
toxicology, or medicine to verify evidence.
Your final grade will come from the conclusion (the evidence must support
your theory) that you draw as a result of the evidence collected. You are
competing with other investigators to keep your job so remember the
evidence and interviews are confidential
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Revised from Documents Presented by Southern Institute of Forensic Science, New Orleans, June 2005
The Dentist Who Smiled in the Face of Death
Coroner’s Report
On January 3, 2004 the coroner was contacted by the Jackson Police
Department and directed to report to 203 Heidelberg Drive. The coroner
arrives at the scene at approximately 10:30 hours.
The scene was located in a modest brick home. The deceased was located in
the master bed room. The deceased was a Caucasian male who had a
gunshot wound in the chest.
The deceased was identified as Grant Robinson, a 32 year old dentist. The
identification was made by Martha Robinson, the mother of the deceased.
Mrs. Robinson also had found her son after she tried to reach him by phone.
The deceased is dressed in only a pair of black boxer shorts. The bed the
deceased is lying in is unmade. The room is clean and obviously maintained.
It appears that the cause of death is a gun shot wound to the chest.
The body has rigor limited to the facial muscles, with no rigor in the
extremities. Lividity was found along the posterior surface of the lower
part of the body, concentrated in the buttocks. The body is cool to the
touch.
From the condition of the body, the coroner estimated that the death
occurred in the last two to four hours.
After an extensive search, no gun could be found.
Two bullet holes were found in the wall of the bedroom. One hole was above
the window just below the ceiling and the other was near the floor opposite
the right side of the bed. One bullet was recovered and sent to the State
Crime Laboratory for ballistics testing.
Several prescriptions belonging to the deceased were bagged as evidence,
but the name of the physician was illegible
The deceased was removed to the Rankin County morgue for autopsy.
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Revised from Documents Presented by Southern Institute of Forensic Science, New Orleans, June 2005
Initial interview with Mrs. Martha Robinson
Mrs. Robinson is very distraught after finding her son dead. Her
interrogation may be of limited value. The interview is carried out by the
investigating officer, Lt. Hard Switzer.
Lt. Switzer: “Can I get you anything Mrs. Robinson?”
Mrs. Robinson: “No, I just want to go home.”
Lt. Switzer: “This won’t take long Mrs. Robinson and I will have an officer
drive you home.”
Lt Switzer: “You were the one who found your son’s body?”
Mrs. Robinson: He had called me about 10 o’clock and I invited him to my
home. My intention was to fix breakfast for him.
Lt. Switzer: “Your son has a dental practice here in town, is that correct?
Do you know if he had appointments scheduled for today?”
Mrs. Robinson: “He told me he was taking the day off; he had some errands
to take care of in town today.”
Lt. Switzer: “To your knowledge did your son have any enemies that might
want to hurt him?”
Mrs. Robinson: “Well he was having problems with that Hudson girl that he
has been dating.”
Lt. Switzer: “What sort of problems”
Mrs. Robinson: “They fought all of the time. She wanted him to marry her
and he would not commit to the long term relationship.”
Lt. Switzer: “What is the name of the person that your son has been dating
and when was the last time they planned to be together?”
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Revised from Documents Presented by Southern Institute of Forensic Science, New Orleans, June 2005
Initial interview with Mrs. Martha Robinson part two
Mrs. Robinson: “You know that Marlene Hudson, I am not sure that she is
right for my boy Grant. When I spoke to him on the phone last night he said
he had seen her just before we spoke”
Lt. Switzer: “Mrs. Robinson to your knowledge did your son own any
firearms?”
Mrs. Robinson “He inherited his father’s 9 mm Luger. It was a souvenir from
World War Two.”
Lt. Switzer: “Mrs. Robinson is there anything else that you would like to tell
me that might help with the investigation?”
Mrs. Robinson: “No I just want to go home an grieve for my son”
Lt. Switzer: “O.K. Mrs. Robinson, I will get Officer Smith to take you home.
If you think of anything else please contact me.”
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Revised from Documents Presented by Southern Institute of Forensic Science, New Orleans, June 2005
Follow – Up Phone interview number one from Lt. Switzer to
Mrs. Robinson
Lt. Switzer: “Who was your son’s physician?”
Mrs. Robinson: “Why do you ask? His name is Dr. Stephen Lowenstein.”
Lt. Switzer: “I need to ask him a few questions about some prescriptions we
found in your son’s medicine cabinet.”
Mrs. Robinson: “My son did not take any prescriptions; just exactly what are
you implying?”
Lt. Switzer: “Yes, Dr. Robinson was taking antidepressants. Did he not
mention them to you?”
Mrs. Robinson: “Well, now that you mention it, his practice was growing and
he has been under a tremendous amount of stress, with that demanding
girlfriend of his. Do you think that &(*^(&*^% shot my son?”
Lt. Switzer: “We have several leads that we are following in your son’s case.
“Mrs. Robinson is there anything else that you would like to tell me that
might help with the investigation?”
Mrs. Robinson: “No, I just want you to arrest that awful woman!”
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Revised from Documents Presented by Southern Institute of Forensic Science, New Orleans, June 2005
Follow – Up Phone interview number two from Lt. Switzer to
Mrs. Robinson
Lt. Switzer: “Mrs. Robinson was Grant left or right handed?”
Mrs. Robinson: “He was left handed, why do you ask?”
Lt. Switzer: “Just following up on some information. Mrs. Robinson is there
anything else that you would like to add?”
Mrs. Robinson: “No sir, you will let me know if you find out anything.”
Lt. Switzer: “Yes, Ma’am”
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Revised from Documents Presented by Southern Institute of Forensic Science, New Orleans, June 2005
Telephone call from Lt. Switzer to Dr. Lowenstein
Lt. Switzer: “Dr. Lowenstein I need to talk to you about an investigation I am
conducting into the death of Dr. Grant Robinson.”
Dr. Lowenstein: “Yes, he is a patient of mine, and he is my friend.”
Lt. Switzer: “Did you prescribe antidepressants for Dr. Robinson.”
Dr. Lowenstein: “Let me check his chart. Yes, I prescribed Elavil and Paxil
for him. The last time he came in for a blood test he had a high level of
alcohol in his system as well and I cautioned him of the dangers of alcohol
and prescription drugs.”
Lt. Switzer: “Why did you prescribe these drugs?”
Dr. Lowenstein: “In my opinion he was under a tremendous amount of
pressure. HE was hypertensive, had trouble sleeping, and exhibited other
classic signs of depression.”
Lt. Switzer: “Did you discuss why he was depressed?”
Dr. Lowenstein: I asked him, but he did not want to talk about it.”
Lt. Switzer: “Thank You Dr. Lowenstein, if you think of anything else please
let me know.”
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Revised from Documents Presented by Southern Institute of Forensic Science, New Orleans, June 2005
Interview with Marlene Hudson
Lt. Switzer: “Ms Hudson do you know Dr. Grant Robinson?’
Ms. Hudson: “Of course we are dating.”
Lt. Switzer: How would you describe your relationship with Dr. Robinson?”
Ms. Hudson: “I was devastated when I heard about his death. Grant and I
were in love and had intended to marry.”
Lt. Switzer: “Did you see Dr. Robinson on January 2 of this year.”
Ms. Hudson: Yes, I had dinner at his home.”
Lt. Switzer: “How was the evening?”
Ms. Hudson: I am sorry to say we got into a fight and I left about 9:30.”
Lt. Switzer; “What did you fight about?”
Ms. Hudson: “We had been to the Hotel Grand in Biloxi to celebrate New
Year’s. Grant had lost a lot of money playing Blackjack. I had told him that
I thought he had a gambling problem.”
Lt. Switzer: “And?”
Ms. Hudson: “He denied it, we argued, and I left”
Lt. Switzer: And you left? What time was this?”
Ms. Hudson: “Yes I left about 9:30 or 10.”
Lt. Switzer: Do you know if Dr. Robinson had any enemies.”
Ms. Hudson: “Well he did have some gambling debts. That he worried about.”
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Revised from Documents Presented by Southern Institute of Forensic Science, New Orleans, June 2005
Lt. Switzer: “Did he ever mention any names?”
Ms. Hudson: “No”
Lt Switzer: “Ms. Hudson do you have anything to add?”
Ms. Hudson: “No, but I bet his mother believes that I am responsible.”
Lt. Switzer: “We have several leads that we are investigating, and I may
want to talk to you again.”
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Revised from Documents Presented by Southern Institute of Forensic Science, New Orleans, June 2005
Gun Shot Residue Report
Two swabs were taken from the victim’s hands and the following results
were obtained:
The swab taken from the victim’s left hand for GSR analysis was positive.
The swab taken from the victim’s right hand for GSR analysis was negative.
After the initial interview with Lt. Switzer, additional swabs were taken
from the mother of the victim Mrs. Robinson. No GSR was present.
The interview with the victim’s girlfriend was not taken in a timely enough
fashion to establish if GSR was present.
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Revised from Documents Presented by Southern Institute of Forensic Science, New Orleans, June 2005
Autopsy Report
1. The body is that of a well developed Caucasian male. He was
identified by the Hinds County coroner as Grant Robinson a local
dentist. He appears to be the stated age of 32 years. The deceased
is dressed in a pair of black boxer shorts.
2. There is a gunshot wound in the right chest wall. It is a contact
wound as is evidenced by the charring of the skin immediately around
the wound. There is no stippling or soot present on the body.
3. An examination of the gunshot wound shows that the bullet entered
the body from the left and it has transected the descending aorta
and the left primary bronchial tube. Death would have occurred
instantly. The bullet is removed from the macerated tissue of the
inferior lobe of the left lung.
4. The bullet has been sent to the State Crime lab for analysis.
5. Swabs are taken from both of the victims hands for GSR analysis.
6. The rest of the body is unremarkable with no apparent trauma or
bruising.
7. The body is opened with a standard Y shaped incision.
8. Vitreous fluids, blood, and urine are withdrawn for toxicology analysis
and are sent to the State Crime Lab.
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Revised from Documents Presented by Southern Institute of Forensic Science, New Orleans, June 2005
Toxicology Report
Analysis of the vitreous fluid, blood and urine are as follows:
Vitreous Fluids:
Metabolites of cannabis
Metabolites of the prescription drug Elavil
Metabolites of the drug Paxil
Blood:
Metabolites of cannabis
Metabolites of the prescription drug Elavil
Metabolites of the drug Paxil
Ethyl alcohol level 0.8%
Urine:
Metabolites of cannabis
Metabolites of the prescription drug Elavil
Metabolites of the drug Paxil
Ethyl alcohol level 0.5%
*The next step would be for the investigators to call the medical examiner
and ask, how, and for what those drugs are prescribed. They will also need
to know the legal limit for intoxication as measured by blood and urine
alcohol concentrations.*
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Ballistics Report
There were two exhibits submitted to the lab for analysis.
Exhibit Number One: submitted by the Hinds County coroner
Exhibit Number Two: submitted by the State Pathologist Dr. Stephen
Haynes
Both exhibits Number One and Number Two are ballistics matches and
appear to be fired from the same gun. The weapon has been identified as a
9 mm Luger .
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Case Conclusion
Lt. Switzer called Dr. Robinson’ office and after questioning the
receptionist at his office established that in fact Dr. Robinson had not
cancelled any of his appointments on January 4.
Based on the toxicology report and the phone interview with the doctor, it
was clear that Dr. Robinson had been depressed.
The Gun Shot Residue test indicated that Dr. Robinson had recently fired a
weapon, and the type of weapon indicated that the wound had been a close
contact wound.
On reinvestigating the scene, a small tape recorder was found on Dr.
Robinson bedside table under a magazine. A message was on the recorder.
The following is the transcript of that recording:
“Mother I am so sorry for everything I have done. I love you, please forgive
me. Grant.”
The manner of death was ruled a suicide. It is supposed that Dr. Robinson
called his mother and may have told her of his intentions. She rushed to his
home, found her son, took the gun and disposed of it. She was of the opinion
that an apparent suicide would bring shame to her family.
Mrs. Robinson continues to maintain that her son was murdered in spite of
the evidence.
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Dead Drunk or Something Like It
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Dead Drunk or Something Like It
A 61 year old male by the name of Ima Boozer was brought into the
emergency room was unresponsive and clinically in a severe state of shock.
His blood pressure was unobtainable, heart sounds were irregular and
distant, respirations were shallow and gasping, and his pupils were fixed and
dilated. He was pronounced dead 15- 20 minutes after arrival.
Cause of death: Trauma to the chest and abdomen
The Evidence at the Scene:
The man was found lying on his back in a parking lot behind a tavern. The
common activities in the area where he was found are drug trafficking,
gambling, and prostitution.
Witnesses observed a car suddenly speed out of the parking lot, the vehicle
ran a red light, and left the scene at a high rate of speed.
Homicide detectives found traumatic injuries on the victim and considered
that the victim had been robbed, and dumped from the speeding car.
What kinds of information will the detectives need to collect to establish
the manner of death for this victim?
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Autopsy Report
The following traumatic injuries were found on the victim:

Fractured right ribs 2-11

Fractured left rib 12

Right hemothorax (blood pool around the right lung)

Contusions to and lacerations of the right lung

Extensive laceration of the liver

Blood pool in the lower abdominal cavity

Lacerations of the right kidney
The following signs of natural disease were present:

Mid arteriosclerosis of the heart (hardening of the arteries)

Signs of emphysema

Signs of cirrhosis of the liver
Cause of Death: Trauma to the chest and abdomen
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Coroner’s Report
The injury patterns on the victim are as follows:

Not suggestive of a beating

Severe blunt crushing trauma with a major force vector directed
from the anterior (top) of the torso to the posterior (lower) part
of the torso.

No injuries to the hands or knuckles (no defensive wounds)

Abrasions on the skin were from pressure not from sliding; there is
no indication that the victim was thrown from a vehicle.
Toxicology Report
Blood alcohol levels were as follows:
Ethanol (grain alcohol): .411%
Methanol (wood alcohol): .045%
Isopropyl (rubbing alcohol): .035
Interview Information from the Tavern
The tavern owner stated that the victim had been in his establishment that
night. He called the victim one of his nightly drunks.
The victim was an alcoholic who was know to drink any type of alcohol he
could find. (Beer, wine, whiskey, rubbing alcohol)
He entered the bar late in the evening inebriated, purchased a few drinks,
got several other people to purchase drinks for him and he staggered out at
about 12:20 am.
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Interview with the Owner of the Speeding Auto
The owner of the car I. B. Boozer II stated that he and a friend had been
drinking heavily and left the tavern around 1:00 am.
The walked to their auto from the front of the bar, backed out of a parking
space, and left the parking lot.
During the process of leaving his parking space, he felt a bump and thought
he had backed into another car.
He left the lot quickly trying to avoid a confrontation with the owner of the
car he hit.
His friend confirmed the story.
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What is Your Verdict?
The official manner of death was considered to be an accident?
1. Why was the crime not considered to be premeditated murder since
the driver of the car had been drinking?
2. Why was the crime not considered to be involuntary manslaughter?
The driver admitted drinking heavily and driving under the influence, but
reckless homicide charges could not be filed since:
a. No blood alcohol levels were obtained since the driver was
located days after the accident
b. The victim’s extreme intoxication was a greater factor in
placing him in a precarious position
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Rachel and the Reading Fair
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Rachael and the Reading Fair
It is December 2001, and Rachael and her family live in New York City
and are active members of the Orthodox Jewish community. Her father,
Jacob, works in the financial district in the city in the family’s jewelry store
and her mother, Sarah, is active in the community organizations sponsored
by the synagogue. The other member of the household is Lupe who is a parttime housekeeper and cook for the family. When Lupe came to this country
from San Salvador and was hired by the family, she had to receive special
training from the Rabbi to make sure that her food was prepared according
to the families traditions. Because Rachael’s family are members of the
Orthodox community, they make sure that their food is kept ‘Kosher’. This
means that there are strict religious rules for the preparation of the food
that is served and pork products are strictly forbidden. Right after the
September 11th attacks, Sarah, Lupe and the rest of the family prepare food
for the World Trade Center volunteers. Rachael’s mother also helps Lupe
prepare food for the local soup kitchens every week, and the leftovers are
served to the family on the weekend when Lupe does not work. Lupe is
scheduled to go home to see her parents in San Salvador for the Christmas
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holidays and so she has prepared and frozen meals for the family to eat
while she is gone.
Rachael is 12 years old and attends the public school in her
neighborhood. She is a great student. Her teacher has decided to ask
Rachael to participate in their school’s reading fair. Rachael wants to
participate but lately she has been so tired. Rachael reads as a hobby and
the new Harry Potter book has just come out so she hasn’t been sleeping
very well so she attributes being tired to her lack of sleep. So she tells her
teacher that she will be happy to go to the reading fair. Her teacher gives
her a list of books that are a part of the competition and she decides to
read all of them to see which one she likes best. Rachael reads all ten of the
books on the list, and she begins experiencing a problem with her vision and
has been having headaches, she attributes this to all of her reading. But her
parents are concerned and make an appointment for Rachael to see the
doctor next week for a physical. This same week, her family decides to
participate in the American Heart Association’s Heart walk to honor her
grandfather who had died last year of a heart attack. The walk is about two
miles and they walk sponsors have decided to have the walk begin and end
along Madison Avenue, where the pavement is new and smooth. Before she
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has a chance to see the doctor, Rachael experiences some difficulties
walking, and her legs are sore. She also seems to still have a problem with
being tired. So her parents decide to keep her home from school for several
days to rest before she has her doctor’s appointment. Her father assumes
that she is stiff from the walk and tired from all of the extra school work
that she has been doing.
The morning that the family is ready to take Rachael to the doctor,
her mother wakes up with a headache and has a few seconds of blurred
vision. When Rachael finally sees the family doctor she has been tired,
(lethargic) for the last four days and has continued to experience problems
walking. She requires significant effort to rise to a standing position, but
has not fallen. She seems confused, but is able to answer all of the doctor’s
questions. Her parents report her other symptoms of leg pain, blurred vision,
headaches, and lethargy. Rachael denies having experienced any pain,
because she wants to go back to school and see her friends. Tomorrow is
Friday, and every Friday night her synagogue sponsors a neighborhood meal
after services have concluded. Rachael has many friends and regularly
invites some of her friends to a meal after school on Fridays and she is
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expecting three of her friends to come to a special Hanukkah dinner
tomorrow.
The doctor finds the following information upon examining Rachael.
1. She is obviously lethargic.
2. She is able to answer questions and is able to have a short conversation.
3. Her temperature is 97.1 degrees.
4. Her heart rate is 120 beats per minute.
5. Her blood pressure is 104/69.
6. Her breathing is mildly labored but her oxygen saturation is within normal
limits.
7. Her nose is runny, but the solution is clear.
8. Her pupils are 2mm in diameter and are normally reactive to light.
9. She has no muscle tenderness and neurological symptoms are normal.
10. While waiting for the lab results Rachael vomits clear mucus and seems
to be more confused than when she entered the doctor’s office.
11. The doctor is concerned and decides t admit her to the hospital.
What possible diagnosis would you make at this point to help Rachael?
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The doctors first thought is that Rachael is experiencing migraines
related to a visual problem and may need glasses to correct the problem. But
to be sure, the doctor requests a full range of lab tests for Rachael and
when her doctor realizes that Sarah is beginning to experience the same
symptoms he requests blood tests for her as well. The lab test results are
returned and the doctor is shocked by the results, and asks the lab to
repeat the tests again.
The lab test results suggest that Rachael has been infected with the
larval stage of the pork tapeworm Taenia solium. T. solium is one of eight
species of cestodes (tapeworms) that commonly infect man. The tapeworm’s
life cycle involves three phases’ egg, larva, and adult. Eating the egg permits
development of the larva in the sift tissues of the intermediate host. Eating
such infested tissues permits the development of th larval form in the final
host.
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Training the Track Star
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Training The Track Star
Arielle was a typical 17 year old high school student, she had many
friends and was active in sports especially track. Both of her parents had
been high school athletes. It was very rare for Arielle to be sick, but lately
she had been having headaches and has also been having problems with an
upset stomach. Her doctor gave her a complete physical and found that her
throat and stomach were slightly inflamed. The doctor asked Arielle and her
parents what types of medicines that Arielle had been taking for her
headaches. She remembered taking Tylenol and Aspirin but what not sure
what medicines she might have borrowed from her friends during track
practice. As a safety precaution her doctor advised her to stop taking
products that contain aspirin, because many people are known to have
sensitivity issues with products containing Aspirin. He also recommended to
her mother that she make an appointment with their optometrist to check
Arielle’s eyesight, this could very well be the source of her headaches since
there were no other obvious medical problems.
Meanwhile Spring was coming and Arielle was anxious to begin training
for track season. Her coach had explained to her that a good showing during
track season could mean a full college scholarship for Arielle. So she began
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a very strict training schedule, and as a result was suffering from her lack
of training during the off season. She was really stiff and her arms ached,
but she believed this was a really small price to pay for a possible full
scholarship.
Several evenings when Arielle came home from practice she was too
tired to eat and went strait to bed. Having been a high jumper in high school
and college, her father had experience with sore muscles and injuries. So on
the way home from work he stopped at the pharmacy and bought Arielle
several over the counter muscle creams and pain killers. He was very careful
to make sure that none of the capsules contained Aspirin. These creams
seemed to help, but Arielle started having increasing problems with an upset
stomach. She and her parents believed that her problems were related to
all of her increased training and the related stress and excitement about
the beginning of track season. Arielle assured her parents that she would be
fine and that another doctors’ visit was not necessary.
It was now March and the college scouts were scheduled to visit her
school next week. As a result, Arielle began training late into the evening.
It was now Friday night and Arielle decided to run one more lap before going
home. It was late and the sun was beginning to set. So Arielle did not see
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that one of her friends had dropped a t-shirt on the track. Arielle rounded
the last turn and was heading for the finish line, just as she turned and was
moving toward the inside lane she saw something on the track. She jumped
over what she later realized was her friend’s t-shirt. As she jumped she
landed poorly and twisted as she landed. She immediately realized that she
was hurt but decided to finish the sprint for the finish line.
As soon as she arrived home, she took a really hot bath to help her
sore muscles. She dried off and opened both tubes of the muscle creams
that her dad had bought for her. She covered her legs with a heavy layer of
both creams and put on a pair of sweats and went to sleep. When her
mother checked on her that evening, she was fast asleep. So her mother
decided not to wake her for dinner. Her parents were concerned but this
was not the first evening in the last few weeks that Arielle had slept
through dinner. The next morning they would wake her up early and feed
her a good breakfast so that she was ready for the scouts that were coming
to see her.
Her father woke up early the next morning. He had decided to take
the day off so that he could go to the school to encourage Arielle during her
try-outs. He quietly went down stairs and began making breakfast. When
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the meal was ready he went to the bottom of the stairs and called Arielle
for breakfast. When she didn’t answer, he waited several minutes and called
her again. She still didn’t answer, so he decided to go upstairs and check on
her. When he entered her room she was lying on her side facing away from
him. He called several times and got no response; he tried to rouse her and
soon discovered that his 17 year old daughter was DEAD.
Questions to ponder:
1. What do you believe happened to Arielle?
2. What evidence do you have to support your conclusions?
3. Could her parents have prevented her death?
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Trouble in Paradise
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Trouble in Paradise
This is a true story that took place in the Mississippi Delta in early 2001.
Tim and Chelsea were high school sweethearts. They had grown up in
a very rural section of the Mississippi Delta. They married at eighteen and
by the time they were twenty-five they had four children. They had three
boys Scott, Sam, and Jeremy and a girl Jessica. Tim worked on his family’s
cotton farm from dawn until dusk every day of the week, and Chelsea was
tired of being the sole parent and of never receiving help from her husband.
The last several years the weather had not been kind to the farmers
in the Delta. There had been very little rain and the cotton yield was not
high enough for the farmers to make a substantial profit. So the money for
Chelsea and Tim was in short supply.
To increase the cotton yields, Tim decided to use pesticides and
herbicides to treat his fields. Even though the finances were tight he
decided that the use of these chemicals was a good investment. These
chemicals are very dangerous to the workers who apply them. If not
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properly used, the symptoms of exposure to these chemicals include tingling
of the fingers and toes, muscle aches, dizziness, and difficulty
concentrating. Tim was always very careful with the application of
chemicals, his father had died of Cancer and the doctor believed that his
Cancer was directly related to his exposure to all of the pesticides that he
had used over the years.
It was now July, and Chelsea needed money to purchase school
supplies for her children. The problem was that Tim had spent the money
she needed on the chemicals to treat the crops. To say that Chelsea wasn’t
happy was an understatement. The more stressed that Chelsea became the
more unstable was her behavior and her personality. She began to argue with
all of the members of her family and especially with Tim.
Chelsea finally decided that she had had enough an decided to file for
divorce. Tim was devastated. He still loved his wife and was afraid that he
might loose his children. So Chelsea decided to give Tim another chance but
she was still obviously very unhappy.
It was nearing Christmas and Tim began to feel really sick. He had
begun having periods of confusion and had a hard time remembering his daily
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schedule. He had also begun having difficulty gripping objects with his right
hand. He said he didn’t always feel what he was trying to hold onto/
These problems were always worse first thing in the morning, right
after he took his shower, and as the day progressed his concentration and
memory began to improve. One good thing was happening, the worse that
Tim felt the more attention he began to receive from his wife Chelsea. She
even began to help him was his hair for him during his morning shower. She
even bought him a special conditioning shampoo to help to treat the dandruff
that he had developed. Chelsea’s mood had begun to brighten and she was
happy that because Tim was sick he was being forced to spend more time at
home.
Tim enjoyed the extra attention that he was receiving, but after all
of the months of her unstable behavior and argumentative attitude he was
suspicious. Tim went to see his family physician and the doctor was puzzled
by Tim’s symptoms. He had previously been a very healthy young man.
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Questions to ponder:
1. Do you believe that Tim has a right to be suspicious?
2. What do you think is happening in Tim’s household?
3. What do you believe might be causing Tim’s health problems?
4. What would you do if you were in Tim’s position?
5. Is there a reason for the Police to be involved in this domestic dispute?
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WHAT IS THE VERDICT?
So what was the outcome? Tim continued to be suspicious so he collected a
sample from all of the household products that Chelsea used to clean the
house. He even took a sample from the bottle of the new dandruff shampoo
that Chelsea had bought for him. Once he had collected samples from all of
the products he brought the samples to Jackson to the University of
Mississippi Medical Center. This is the location of the any Forensic
Toxicology Lab in the state.
He explained the situation to the physician on duty, and requested
that all of the samples that he brought be tested for any suspicious
contents. Several days later, the lab called Tim with the results. His
dandruff shampoo had been contaminated with the cotton pesticides that he
had used in the spring to treat his crops. Tim immediately went to his
attorney and filed for divorce from Chelsea and requested full custody of
the children.
Tim immediately called the police and had them contact the
Toxicology lab in Jackson. Unfortunately, because Tim was the person who
collected the samples that were tested and the police had not been involved
until late in the investigation charges against Chelsea could not be filed. The
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chain of custody of the evidence had not been maintained. At the point
where Tim began to become suspicious, he should have called the police and
allowed one of their forensic investigators to take the samples. This way
they could have established that Chelsea had been responsible for adding
the pesticides to the shampoo. At this point, fingerprints could have been
taken from the containers and other trace evidence could have been
collected. Since there had been a history of domestic problems in the
household the police told Tim that a case could be made by Chelsea’s
defense attorney that Tim had poisoned himself to get custody of his
children. Because evidence had been destroyed when Tim collected the
samples police were unable to verify the reliability of the tests that were
performed by the Toxicology Lab.
Ultimately, Tim did get a divorce from Chelsea and did get full
custody of his children, but the judge based his decision on Chelsea’s mental
instability and not on the attempted poisoning. Chelsea was not arrested and
no charges were ever filed against her.
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The Chemist of Madison County
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The Chemist of Madison County
This is a true story the names have been changed to protect the person of
interest, because her trial is just beginning in the metro area.
James and Heather were happily married and lived in a nice new house
in an expensive, exclusive subdivision in Madison County. James had just
opened a new hardware store in Clinton and Heather was finishing her
degree in Chemistry at a local university. Everything was great. James
parents had retired and were planning on taking a cruise. James was thrilled
with how quickly his hard ware sore was growing because many out of state
people were moving to Clinton to get a job with the new telecommunications
company that had just moved into the area.
What is the saying if it seems too perfect it probably is? James and
Heather were sitting at the breakfast table watching the news and the
broadcast paused for an important announcement. The chairman of the
telecommunications company had just been indicted for misappropriating
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company funds. James was concerned but he knew the man and he was one
of his best customers.
Several months passed and the hardware store was beginning to feel
the effects of the fear that the workers in the telecommunications company
felt. If you are not sure that you will have a job next week, you are not
likely to spent money on unnecessary household repairs.
In the meantime, Heather just accepted a job at a local chemical
company. Money in the household was not as limited as it could have been, in
light of the hardware stores problems. Several months passed and the
hardware store’s problems continued to increase. James had not seen a
profit for six months so he and Heather decided to close the store.
Heather was concerned because she knew they could not make ends
meet on only her income. She hoped that James would ask his parents to
help them make ends meet. James was reluctant to ask his parents for
money, they had worked hard their entire lives and were now enjoying their
time together as they traveled around the country. Heather continued to
work hard and decided to get a tutoring job to earn extra money. But she
knew she had to do something drastic if the situation did not improve.
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Meanwhile James was really suffering, he felt like a failure because he could
not adequately support his family.
On the way to work one morning, Heather stopped at the local
discount store to buy a plant for a lady at her school that was retiring.
While standing in line waiting to check out she was reading some of the
packages of seeds that were on the counter. One package of seeds was for
a large leafed plant called Castor Beans. She decided to buy the seeds
because she had a perfect place in the yard for a tall large leafed plant.
There was an accident outside the store and Heather was forced to sit in
traffic waiting for the police to clear the scene. Something sparked her
memory and she reached across the seat to re-read the seed package.
Somewhere she remembered reading about a chemical poison that could be
extracted from Castor beans.
When she finally got to work she searched the Internet for
everything that she could learn about Castor Beans. She discovered that
there was indeed a poison that could be extracted from the seeds of the
plant. According to the FBI website it was drop for drop the most dangerous
poison known to man. Heather found several more articles and decided to
print them out to read later. She taught her class, but in the back of her
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mind she kept thinking about that package of seed that were in her car.
Could this simple package of seeds from the discount store be the solution
to all of her financial problems?????
What do you think happened next?
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What do you think happened?
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The Truly Last Supper
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The Truly Last Supper
Jackson police discovered the body of a 46 year old white male, later
identified as George Harris, in an open field of flowers about ten miles
outside of town. Mr. Harris’s body was discovered at 11:45 p.m. on Friday,
October 13, 2004. He was found lying face up on a, queen sized bed sheet.
According to the autopsy reports, there was one fatal gunshot wound found
on the back of his head. Time of death was estimated to have been around
7:45 p.m.
The following evidence was found at the scene:
The area around the body was littered with evidence that suggested the
victim and at least one other person had been having a picnic right before
the murder took place. Paper plates containing partially eaten chicken,
coleslaw and chocolate cake were located near the victim’s body. There were
tooth impressions in one of the slices of cake that was left on the plate, but
insects had destroyed any useful evidence. There was also an open bottle of
wine and two empty wine glasses located near the victim’s feet. One of the
wine glasses had a smudge of bright red lipstick on the rim. Attempts were
made to collect fingerprint evidence from the glasses but the only set of
usable prints belonged to the victim. There were several fairly new cigarette
butts near the victim and there were footprints leading to and from the site
of the crime. Analysis revealed that the shoe prints were a male’s size 10
leading into the field and a woman’s size 6 leading into and out of the field.
There was no vehicle found at the scene, but there were tire tracks that
were later discovered to have matched the victim’s vehicle. The victim’s car
was found abandoned in downtown Jackson.
Investigators believe that a female friend of Mr. Harris was responsible for
his death. After lengthy interviews with Harris’s family and friends it was
discovered that he had been dating no fewer than six women who live in the
Jackson metro area. The women’s names are Bonita, Lauren, Kathy, Susan,
Carolyn, and Sharon.
Your assignment: Establish who murdered Mr. Harris; remember you must
have evidence to support your conclusion.
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Background information on the six female suspects:
Susan is a full time make-up artist and part tine aerobics instructor. She
teaches at the downtown YMCA and has a class at 7:30 p.m. every Friday
night. She has not missed a class in over three years. She is a tiny woman
who buys her shoes and clothes in the children’s department. She does not
smoke, hates the color yellow and has never met Carolyn.
Carolyn and Kathy are both school teachers. Carolyn is very tiny and wears
size 4 jeans Carolyn doe not know Susan. Carolyn enjoys the great outdoors
and has a dark suntan.
Sharon and Carolyn live together in a two bedroom apartment in downtown
Jackson. Sharon works part-time for the school system as a substitute
teacher.
Kathy lives in a nearby Brandon. She does not smoke, and she attends
Susan’s aerobics class. Like Susan she hates the color yellow. She has not
missed a class in the last year.
Sharon is allergic to grapes and has seizures if she gets near any grape
products.
Bonita lives in a large country house at the Ross Barnett Reservoir, and her
father owns a large rifle range in Rankin County. Bonita owns her own florist
shop where she works at least three days a week.
Lauren works as a chemist at the local fertilizer factory. She is very allergic
to all types of flowers. She played center for a local women’s basketball
team she has red hair and is six feet one inch tall.
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1. Who killed Mr. Harris? What evidence do you have to support you
conclusion?
2. Create a table of evidence to support the idea that the other five
women were innocent.
3. What specific information helped you identify the perpetrator?
4. On the last page of this worksheet write a two paragraph story that
describes what you believe happened on the night of Friday October
13, 2004
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My Version of What Really Happened at the Truly Last Supper
By:
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A Headache To Die For
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A Headache To Die For
Part I—Some Headache…
“Hurry up in there, your sister has to use the bathroom too,” said Sue Frost
to her oldest child, eight-year-old Jonathan. Sue was rushing around the
house as she did most other mornings trying to get herself ready for work
as well as get the children ready for her husband to take to day care. Sue
was the manager of a bank in a suburb of Seattle called Springvillle.
“Mommy,” said five-year-old Allison, “Jon is taking too long in the bathroom.”
Sue had awakened with a slight headache and now her head was beginning to
pound. “Jonathan, get out of the bathroom this instant,” yelled Sue, “your
sister needs to get ready to go to Humpty-Dumpty Day Care.”
Sue went to the medicine cabinet in her bathroom to get something for her
headache. She finished getting dressed, made sure the kids were ready to
go, and went back to her bathroom to put on her makeup in preparation for
leaving. She was found by her husband Henry a little while later collapsed on
the floor. Henry dialed 911 and the dispatcher immediately sent an
ambulance to their residence. When the paramedics arrived, they found Mrs.
Frost gasping for breath and barely conscious.
“Mrs. Frost, can you hear me,” said Joe, one of the paramedics on the scene.
Joe spoke to his partner, “Bill, she doesn’t appear to be responsive to sounds
or light; any ideas?”
Bill called the physician on duty in the ER via his radio. The physician
indicated that the symptoms suggested she might have experienced a
ruptured aneurysm or a drug overdose from cocaine. However, the drug
overdose explanation seemed improbable since Joe and Bill found no
evidence of drugs at the scene. Later, tests at the hospital indicated that
there had been no internal bleeding. Family and friends who were questioned
subsequently about the incident confirmed the view of the paramedics on
the scene. They told investigators that Mrs. Frost was not the kind of
woman likely to use drugs.
Sue Frost got progressively less responsive in the ambulance and died a
short time after arriving at the hospital.
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Because of the uncertainty surrounding her death, an autopsy was
performed by the county coroner, William Delaforte. During the autopsy,
Steven Sheath, an assistant to the M.E., asked Dr. Delaforte, “Do you detect
the faint odor of bitter almonds coming from the body?” Dr. Delaforte’s
positive response led both men to the conclusion that Sue Frost had been
poisoned. Samples sent to the lab confirmed that she had been poisoned, by
cyanide. Henry, as well as Sue’s parents who lived in the area, insisted that
she would never have committed suicide by poisoning herself. “She had
everything to live for,” they all said. Thus, no one had a reasonable
explanation of what happened to Sue Frost.
“How had she ingested the cyanide?” This was the question asked by the
M.E. to his staff and the members of Sue’s family. Numerous possibilities
were considered, from accidental ingestion of rat poison all the way to
eating peach pits thinking they were almonds. After numerous failures to
come up with a plausible solution it was decided that any over-the-counter
medications that Mrs. Frost might have taken should be examined. Bingo! It
turned out that the Extra-Strength Excedrin® pain reliever capsules she had
taken for her headache earlier that morning were the source of the cyanide.
A follow-up test confirmed that some of the capsules remaining in the bottle
found in her medicine chest contained cyanide.
About four days later, Bristol-Myers, the manufacturer of Excedrin,
contacted retail stores across the country and asked them to remove all
bottles of Extra-Strength Excedrin from their shelves. In the interim, the
local police had discovered two other bottles of cyanide-laced Excedrin, one
in Springville and one in an adjoining suburb called Auburn Hills.
The case was quickly turned over to the FBI, which has jurisdiction over all
cases involving product tampering. FBI investigators began their
investigation assuming that the killer might be a political terrorist or
perhaps a recently fired employee of Bristol-Myers. These suspicions faded
when no one called to either take responsibility or issue demands from the
company.
A break in the case occurred when the FBI received a call from the Seattle
police about a woman who identified herself as Mrs. Stella Penny. Mrs. Penny
had told the police the following story. “I heard about the Sue Frost cyanide
poisoning on the local news and began to wonder if perhaps that is what
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happened to my husband Bart. He died suddenly 10 days before Mrs. Frost
died and he too had taken Extra-Strength Excedrin capsules on the morning
of his death. He regularly took pain relievers to help alleviate his persistent
arthritis pain. Initially, I didn’t think anything about it because he had
respiratory problems so I assumed that he died from some complication
resulting from his respiratory ailment. Later I began to wonder, could there
be a connection between the two cases?”
Questions
Questions 1–5 will require some research on your part to answer. Questions
6–8 should be answered based upon your knowledge of crime scene
investigation and autopsy procedures.
1. Why does the FBI have jurisdiction over the Sue Frost poisoning
case?
2. When did product tampering become a crime handled by the FBI?
3. Which previous case led to product tampering becoming a crime that
falls under FBI jurisdiction?
4. Where did this case (referred to in Question 3) of product tampering
occur?
5. Who was ultimately convicted of the crime referred to in Question 3?
6. What should be the next step(s) in the investigation of the case
called “A Headache to Die For?”
7. Why would the death certificate for Stella Penny’s husband, Bart, not
have shown cyanide poisoning as the cause of death?
8. Why was it important for the FBI agents to determine if there was a
possible connection between Sue Frost, a banker, and Bart Penny, a
construction worker?
Part II—A Suspect
A chemist in the FBI lab examined all of the tainted capsules that had been
recovered so far and found something unusual; all of them contained
particles of an algicide used in home fish tanks. The brand name of the
algicide was even determined—Algae Destroyer™.
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The FDA examined more than 740,000 capsules of the Extra-Strength
Excedrin that had been sold in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, and found
only five bottles to be contaminated. Two of these five bottles had been
recovered from Stella Penny’s home. When asked about the bottles of
Excedrin, Stella indicated that she had purchased them on different days
from different stores.
The FBI’s investigation included the questioning of neighbors and fellow
employees of Stella Penny. All reported her to be a good neighbor and
employee and indicated that she and her husband seemed to be happy. She
was a grandmother with two daughters and was reported to have been
devastated by her husband’s death; she was described as inconsolable by
some of her friends. However, the FBI soon began to consider Stella as a
suspect in the case, not a victim of an unfortunate accident. As part of their
investigation they also discovered a fish tank in Stella Penny’s home.
Questions
1. Why was it considered unusual or peculiar to find that all capsules
containing cyanide also contained an algicide?
2. How could the algicide (which is sold in a pellet form) and the cyanide
wind up in the same capsule?
3. Why did the FBI think it was odd for Stella to have two contaminated
bottles of Excedrin in her home?
4. Which factors led the FBI to begin considering Stella more as a
suspect than a grieving widow?
Part III—The Case Begins to Unfold
FBI agents canvassed the local pet stores and found one that had a store
clerk who remembered Mrs. Penny coming in to purchase some of the Algae
Destroyer algicide from him. The store clerk unhesitatingly identified a
picture of Mrs. Penny when shown a collection of photos of middle-aged
women. He said he distinctly remembered her because she had a small bell
attached to her purse that jingled as she walked around the store. He
reported to investigators thinking at the time, “What a ding-a-ling, to walk
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around with a jingling bell attached to your purse.”The suspicions of possible
involvement of Stella Penny in the death of her husband grew as the FBI did
more background checks on her. It was discovered that Mrs. Penny had been
convicted of check fraud, forgery, and child abuse while living in California in
the late 60’s and early 70’s. She was no longer in trouble with the law but it
was discovered that she and her husband had been in significant debt and
that the bank was moving to foreclose on their home at the time of Bart’s
death. Being broke or living close to bankruptcy seemed to be the normal
mode of existence for the Pennys.
However, investigators found that Stella had somehow managed to find the
money to increase the insurance coverage on Bart’s life. As a state employee,
Bart had a $31,000 life insurance policy with an additional $105,000 of
coverage should death result from an accident. Stella had increased the
value of the policy with an additional $40,000 of accidental death coverage.
Thus she stood to receive $176,000 if Bart should die accidentally.The FBI
also learned that Stella had called the doctor who had signed the death
certificate to ask if he was positive that her husband had died from
emphysema, the cause listed, or if he could have been mistaken in his
findings.
Questions
1. Why did the FBI do a background check on Mrs. Penny?
2. Was any of the evidence gathered by the FBI sufficient to arrest
Mrs. Penny for murder? Why or why not?
3. Why would Stella call the doctor who signed her husband’s death
certificate asking if he was sure he made the right call?
4. What would you suggest as the next step(s) in the investigation?
Part IV—Daughter Talks
Stella was brought in for questioning some five months after the start of
the investigation of Sue Frost’s death. Mrs. Penny agreed to take a lie
detector test during questioning to prove her innocence. When she took the
test several days later and was asked, “Did you lace the capsules with
cyanide,” she responded emphatically, “No!” The polygraph indicated that she
lied. She stopped answering questions at that point and requested a lawyer.
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The real break in the case came when Stella’s own daughter, Regina Hicks,
told the FBI agents that her mother had often talked about killing Bart,
even the possibility of hiring a hit man to do the killing. She also mentioned
to her daughter the possible use of cyanide to murder her husband. Regina
informed the agents that her mother had researched the effects of cyanide
on humans at various libraries.
Questions
1. What should the agents do to get additional evidence to indict Mrs.
Penny? (Hint: think about what the daughter told the FBI agents that
her mother told her she had done.)
2. Speculate on why her daughter did not say anything to the police
initially but later contacted them and informed them of her mother’s
desire to see her husband dead.
Part V—Library Visit
When the FBI canvassed all of the local libraries they found one record
showing that Mrs. Penny had checked out and never returned a book entitled
Human Poisoning. Upon additional investigation it was found that Stella also
had checked out a book on toxic plants called Deadly Harvest on two
different occasions prior to Bart’s death.
The book, Deadly Harvest, was sent to the FBI lab and checked for
fingerprints. Eighty-four of Mrs. Penny’s prints were lifted from the pages
of the book, most from the section that dealt with cyanide and its effects
on animals.
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Stella Penny was indicted on December 9, 1987 and was tried the following
April. She was convicted on May 9, 1988 and sentenced to 90 years of
imprisonment.
Questions
1. Why was physical evidence needed to build a substantial case against
Mrs. Penny?
2. What are latent fingerprints?
3. How do you lift latent fingerprints from a book?
4. Could Mrs. Penny have avoided being caught and convicted for her
husband’s murder? How?
5. Would you describe this as potentially a perfect murder “gone bad”
due to frustration and greed on the part of Stella Penny? Explain.
6. This case occurred before the passage of the Patriot Act. Even so,
libraries are not in the habit of making the records of their patrons
readily available to law enforcement agencies. How do you think the
FBI obtained the information regarding Stella Penny’s library
activities?
7. How has the passage of the Patriot Act affected collection of such
information by the FBI and other federal agencies?
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Death at
Breakfast
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Death at Breakfast
It was a warm Saturday morning in March. It had been an unusually
wet spring and Chris wanted to take advantage of the deck outside the
community hall in the apartment complex where he lived. So he invited his
friends over for a well deserved home cooked breakfast/brunch. The
invitations included a planned menu of toast, biscuits, waffles, pancakes,
eggs, sausage, bacon, and fruit. He wanted to thank his friends for all of
their kindness. His friends had supported him emotionally and financially,
during the last few months after he had lost his job. He had a fist fight
with his boss, after the boss had insulted his girlfriend. He was still
receiving threatening phone calls from someone but he did not believe he
was in any danger.
Chris went for a walk to enjoy the morning, stopped by the mailbox
and found a package addressed to him. He assumed that one of his friends
had sent him an early Birthday present. But he did not recognize the return
address. As he walked back toward his apartment, he noticed that the
outside of the package was dusty, but he would worry about that later. He
was just looking forward to a morning with a house full of guests.
Chris began cooking at 10 a.m. he made the waffles first and then
began searching the cabinets for the pancake mix. On the back of the shelf
he found a packaged mix that had been opened and in the cabinet for several
years but that was all he had so he decided to use it. While he was searching
for the ingredients for his feast, he noticed that he had a water leak under
his sink. It was a slow leak and he didn’t think much of the problem, but
knew he needed to report it to the building maintenance man after his party
was over. Just another reason for him to move, the air conditioner had not
been working properly for several weeks and now this, but he was not going
to let this ruin his party. What Chris didn’t realize is that this leak had been
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happening for several months and the bottoms of his wooden cabinets were
wet.
Chris’s friends began arriving for breakfast at about 11 a.m. and
everyone finally sat down to eat at 11:30 a.m. One of Chris’s friends noticed
that his hands were a little red. Chris said they itched a little but he
assumed it was from all of the dishes that had to be washed after preparing
such a large breakfast. Chris started his breakfast with waffles and fruit,
and then switched to pancakes. His friends stopped eating the pancakes
because they said that they tasted like "rubbing alcohol”. Chris continued to
eat the pancakes because he was still really hungry.
Within a few minutes after eating, Chris became short of breath. His
friends were concerned that maybe he had done too much to get the
breakfast ready for them, but as his symptoms continued to worsen they
became concerned. The rash on his hands was more severe and he
complained on them itching. Several of his friends loaded him in the car and
took him to a nearby clinic, where he became unresponsive and died.
The doctor at the clinic was another friend of Chris’s and knew of all
of the phone calls and other problems that he had been having. So he was
suspicious when his otherwise healthy friend was brought to his clinic and
died. Since the death was under suspicious circumstances the doctor was
required by law to contact the police.
When the police arrived they began questioning all of the quests who
remained at Chris’s apartment waiting for news about their friend. What
kinds of questions will the police ask and what kinds of evidence do they
need to collect to prove the cause of death.
Now it is your job to determine what happened to Chris.
Was his death homicide or did he die of natural causes?
What evidence do you have to support your conclusion?
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Origins of Death at Breakfast:
In April 2006, the experience of a 14-year-old who had eaten pancakes made from a mix
that had gone moldy was described in the popular newspaper column Dear Abby. The account
has since been circulated widely on the Internet as scores of concerned homemakers ponder
the safety of the pancake mix lurking in their larders.
There is truth in this tale. Yet its inherent warning is overblown.
The cause of his death was determined to be anaphylaxis due to an allergic reaction to
molds.
Anaphylaxis is a rapidly developing immunologic reaction that occurs when those who have
allergies come in contact with the substances they are allergic to. When it kills, it does so
by triggering fatal respiratory or cardiac arrest.
The pancake mix that delivered a toxic payload was analyzed and found to contain four
rather nasty molds: Penicillium, Fusarium, Mucor, and Aspergillus. The decedent had not
been allergic to eggs (which are a component of pancakes), so there was no doubt as to
which allergy had killed him. It had been mold, and nothing but.
There was a death, and it had been due to ancient pancake mix. Or, rather, to an allergic
reaction to the mold that had grown in the stale pancake mix.
It needs be kept in mind there is nothing inherently toxic about pancake mix that has
passed its freshness date, the product's getting old does not transform it into a poison, nor
does the growth of mold within opened boxes of flapjack powder turn it into something that
will fell all who ingest it. Only those who have allergies to mold are at risk, and even then,
for the pancake mix to pose a hazard it has to contain mold spores, not just be over the hill.
For mold to gain access to a food product, the foodstuff has to be exposed to its spores.
Pancake mix cocooned in an unbleached wax paper, plastic, or a foil pouch within its outer
packaging wouldn't have this contact and should still be safe no matter how old it gets.
However, mix sold unpouched in cardboard boxes or paper sacks would likely be at risk even
if the box or sack hadn't previously been opened, because such packaging would not
necessarily keep dampness out, and mold thrives in damp environments.
What does all this mean? If you don't have a mold allergy, you needn't fear your pancake
mix; if you do have such a sensitivity, you shouldn't keep your flapjack makings around for a
few years after opening the box or pouch it came in. It's not worth dying over 50¢ worth of
pancake mix, so when in doubt, throw it out.
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DEAR ABBY: I recently made a batch of pancakes for my healthy 14-year-old son,
using a mix that was in our pantry. He said that they tasted "funny," but ate them
anyway. About 10 minutes later, he began having difficulty breathing and his lips
began turning purple. I gave him his allergy pill, had him sit on the sofa and told him
to relax. He was wheezing while inhaling and exhaling.
My husband, a volunteer firefighter and EMT, heated up some water, and we had my
son lean over the water so the steam could clear his chest and sinuses. Soon, his
breathing became more regular and his lips returned to a more normal color.
We checked the date on the box of pancake mix and, to my dismay, found it was
very outdated. As a reference librarian at an academic institution, I have the ability
to search through many research databases. I did just that, and found an article the
next day that mentioned a 19-year-old male DYING after eating pancakes made with
outdated mix. Apparently, the mold that forms in old pancake mix can be toxic!
When we told our friends about my son's close call, we were surprised at the number
of people who mentioned that they should check their own pancake mix since they
don't use it often, or they had purchased it some time ago. With so many people
shopping at warehouse-type stores and buying large sizes of pancake mix, I hope
your readers will take the time to check the expiration date on their boxes. — SUE IN
WYANTSKILL, N.Y.
DEAR SUE: Thank you for the warning. I certainly was not aware that pancake mix
could turn moldy and cause an allergic reaction in someone with an allergy to mold
— but it's logical. I wonder if the same holds true for cake mix, brownie mix and
cookie mix. If so, then a warning should be placed on the box for people like me.
We hear so often about discarding prescription and over-the-counter medications
after their expiration dates, but I don't recall warnings about packaged items in the
pantry. Heads up, folks!
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Death on Fraternity Row
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Death on Fraternity Row
On November 29, 2004 at approximately 11:45 hrs, I was called by
Battenburg Police to a resident located at816 Tudor Street. This is the
location of the Alpha Omega Fraternity House.
I was escorted to a room in rear of the house. The room appeared to be a
bed room. There are two twin beds and a couch. The deceased was located
on the couch.
The deceased is in a supine position. The body is in full rigor. Remember
that rigor is affected by the temperature in the room and that rigor affects
the small muscles of the body before it affects the larger muscles. There is
fixed dependent lividity along the entire surface of the body. The deceased
is a Caucasian male. He is clothed in only a pair of blue briefs and a pair of
white socks.
The deceased was identified as Jack Sprat by his roommate, Willie Wonka.
Sprat was a fulltime student at the university. He and Willie were pledges
to the Alpha Omega Fraternity. Wonka stated that Sprat had just
celebrated his 20th birthday two weeks ago.
Wonka had last seen Sprat alive at approximately 03:300 hrs. When they
returned to their rooms from a pledge party, Wonka stated that they were
both “pretty wasted” and that Sprat was to drunk to find his bed. Wonka
helped him undress and Sprat laid down o the couch. Wonka went to bed.
Sometime later he heard Sprat complain of being cold; Wonka said he threw
him a blanket. He woke up about 1100hrs, and went to the bathroom. He
tried to wake Sprat, who was unresponsive. He called out and Jimmy Jones
and Mike Tiger came into the room. Iger recognized that Sprat was “stiff”
and called 911.
The condition of the remains indicated that death had occurred 3 to 4 hours
ago, some times between 0700 and 0800 hrs.
An external examination of the body was not remarkable. There were some
fresh abrasions on both knees (1.3cmX2.0cm left knee, 1.6cmX3.0cm right
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knee). Wonka stated that he thought Spray got these while crawling on the
floor of the party room when he “got sick and threw up last night”.
The body was removed to the West County Hospital morgue to a wait an
autopsy.
Autopsy Report
The body is that of a well developed Caucasian male. The body is clothed in
a pair of white socks and a pair of blue briefs. There are fresh abrasions on
both knees. The body has been identified as that of Jack Sprat by the
West County Coroner. An arm band on the body confirms this identification.
The findings of the autopsy are unremarkable except for the following:
1. mild inflammation of the esophagus
2. severe gastritis
Samples of vitreous fluids, blood, and urine were taken to the state crime
lab for toxicology analysis.
Tissue samples were taken for microscopic analysis.
Toxicology Report
The toxicology report indicates the following:
Vitreous: 0.14 % ethyl alcohol
0.02 % metabolites of cannabis
Blood: 0.18 % ethyl alcohol
No metabolites of cannabis
Urine: 0.15 % ethyl alcohol
No metabolites of cannabis
No other illicit or prescription drugs were found.
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Interview with Sara Smart
This interview was conducted by Detective Steve Strong of the Battenberg
Police Department. Ms. Sara Smart is being interviewed because she had a
date with the deceased the night prior to his death.
Detective Strong: “Ms. Smart what was your relationship to Jack Sprat?”
Sara Smart: “I guess you could say he was my boy friend.”
Detective Strong: “Did you have a date with Jack on the evening of
November 28?”
Sara Smart: “Yes “
Detective Strong: “Tell me about the date”.
Sara Smart: “We went to a party at the Alpha Omega Fraternity house. Jack
was pledging the fraternity. The Pledge Master, Jimmy Bully, is a real jerk.
He is really into hazing, and was giving Jack and the other pledges a hard
time. He almost forced Jack to keep drinking. Really I think he wanted him
pass out. Jack even got sick and threw up.
Detective Strong: “Why do you think the Pledge Master may have wanted
Jack to pass out?”
Sara Smart: “He was hitting on me”.
Detective Strong: “Hitting on you?”
Sara Smart: “Man are you dense. He wanted to get Jack drunk so that may
be I would leave the party with him.”
Detective Strong: “Did you leave with him?”
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Sara Smart: “No, He is an ass. Besides Jim had gotten sick and threw up. I
was worried about him”.
Detective Strong: “Tell about that.”
Sara Smart: “He was really sick. So sick he fell down. His roommate helped
him after he fell. I went to his room with them. Jack was out of it. I was
really up set because he was so drank. Falling down drunk and Jimmy was still
giving me a hard time. One of my friends was at the party and ready to go
back to dorm, so I left with her.
Detective Strong: “When you left the fraternity house that was with Jack?”
Sara Strong: “His room mate, Willie Wonka.”
Detective Strong: “When did you find out about Jack’s death?”
Sara Strong: “Willie came over to my dorm and told me.”
Detective Strong: “Thank you Sara. I may need to talk to you again.”
Interview with Jimmy Bully
Detective Strong: “Mr. Bully, do you know why I am interviewing you?”
Bully: “Yeah, I guess it has something to do with the death of Jack Sprat.”
Detective Strong: “Did you know Jack Sprat?”
Bully: “Yes, but not well.”
Detective Strong: “What was your relationship to Mr. Sprat?”
Bully:” He was pledging the Alpha Omega Fraternity.”
Detective Strong: “I understand that you are the Pledge Master for Alpha
Omega. Could you please explain what this means?”
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Bully: Yeah, I plan pledge activities for the fraternity.”
Detective Strong: “Where you at the party on the evening of November28?”
Bully:” Yes”
Detective Strong: “I understand that Mr. Sprat got pretty drunk.”
Bully: “Yes that little dummy can’t hold his liquor. He got wasted on beer.”
Detective Strong: I understand that you forced Mr. Sprat to drink more and
more?”
Bully: “Man I don’t know where you got this from. The jerk just can’t hold his
alcohol. He was wasted early!”
Detective Strong: “I understand he got quite ill at the party.”
Bully: “If you consider falling down drunk ill, then man was he ever ill.”
Detective Strong: “Did Sprat have a date at the party?”
Bully: “I think so.”
Detective Strong: “Attractive girl?”
Bully: “I really didn’t notice her.”
Detective Strong: “Did you have a date?”
Bully: “No”
Detective Strong:” Were most of the pledges drinking?”
Bully:” Everyone was drinking, why party?”
Detective Strong:” Did you ask Pledge Master to force any one to drink in
excess?”
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Bully:” No way. Those guys do not be encouraged to drink. Anyway, that
would be hazing and the school doesn’t allow that.”
Detective Strong:” You did not force Sprat to keep drinking?”
Bully:” Hell NO! Look man do I need a lawyer?”
Detective Strong:” Why do you think you need a lawyer?”
Bully:” You keep asking me questions.”
Detective Strong:” It is my job to investigate Mr. Bully, that is all for now. I
may want to talk to you again.
Bully: “Yeah, what ever.”
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Interview with Willie Wonka
Detective Strong:” Mr. Wonka you were Mr. Sprats roommate?”
Wonka: “Yes.”
Detective Strong: “Were you at the party at the Alpha Omega House on
November 28th?”
Wonka: “Yes.”
Detective Strong: “Were you drinking?”
Wonka: “Everyone was drinking.”
Detective Strong: “Was anyone there forced to drink to excess?”
Wonka:’ Well it looked like Jimmy was forcing Jack to drink more than the
rest of us.”
Detective Strong: “Jimmy/”
Wonka: “Yes he is the pledge master.”
Detective Strong: “Why was Jack being forced to drink?”
Wonka: “Other than the fact that he is an overbearing ass, he was trying to
humiliate all of the pledges.”
Detective Strong: “Any other reason?”
Wonka: I don’t know but he seemed to be hitting on Sara.”
Detective Strong: “Sara was Jack’s girlfriend?”
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An Early Morning Front Yard Mystery
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An Early Morning Front Yard Mystery
At 07:36 a.m. the Rankin County Sheriff’s 911-dispatch center
receives a call from Edna Bottomside that her husband just found a person
shot in the front yard at3782 Dimwitt Street in Pelahatchie. Edna advised
that her husband Fred Bottomside told her that the victim appeared dead
and he did not know the man’s identity.
Edna gave her and Fred’s address as 3787 Dimwitt Street and
telephone number 555-555-6132.
Rankin County Sheriff’s Office dispatch Center activates EMS
and fire-rescue to 3782 Dimwitt Street. Rankin Sheriff’s patrol deputy,
Fred Uptight received the emergency page and also responses to the 3782
Dimwitt address and arrives within three minutes.
Deputy Uptight noticed that no one was visible in the
neighborhood or around the scene, he requested that dispatch call back
Edna Bottomside and have her husband return back to the scene and contact
Deputy Uptight.
At 7:43 a.m. EMS Unit E-7 and Fire Rescue Unit 29-A arrive on
scene simultaneously. The victim is again checked for vital signs and none
are found. EMS Unit E-7 requests the Rankin County Coroner’s Office be
notified and to respond.
Deputy Uptight knocks but cannot get a response the door at
3782 Dimwitt. He then radios dispatch to check the reverse address
references and ascertain who reportedly resides at 3782 Dimwitt and to
also provide an address history.
EMS and Fire Rescue Unit leave the scene and tell Deputy
uptight that EMS’ run sheet number is 13471 and that the Fire Rescue’s run
sheet is M-4762-3. Neighbors have begun to accumulate around the scene
perimeter. A woman at the scene perimeter yelled to Deputy Uptight that
she wanted to speak with him. Deputy Uptight walked to the yellow scene
tape and spoke to the woman who identified herself as Teri McAwitch.
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At 7:59 am Rankin County Sheriff’s Investigators Darren Flem
and Bill Jolly arrived on scene. At 8:12 am the MCU Crime Scene unit
arrived. They were briefed by Deputy Uptight, Darren Flem and Bill Jolly
became the primary investigator.
At 8:04 am two deputies from the Rankin County Coroner’s
Office arrived on the scene and pronounced the unidentified deceased and
covered the victim with a white sheet.
Permission to Search from Victim’s Son
Investigator’s Flem and jolly requested by telephone, permission to
search the residence of Aguilar Cerveza’s from his son, Hector Cerveza for
clues in his shooting. Hector Cerveza granted search permission by phone
while he was driving to his father’s residence.
Interview with Slippery Sally
The woman that yelled to Sheriff Deputy Fred Uptight from the
crowd outside of the yellow crime perimeter tape identified herself as
Kathy Motormouth. Kathy advised Deputy Uptight that she lived three
houses south of the shooting location.
Kathy told Deputy Uptight that she thought the victim might be
Aguilar Cerveza.
According to Kathy, Cerveza lived alone at the residence where this
shooting had occurred. She advised that Cerveza’s wife had died about a
year before if a terminal disease and that Cerveza had subsequently been
very depressed.
She further advised that Cerveza was very isolated and that his only
son resided in metro Milliken.
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Investigative Follow-up
Investigator Flem requested that the medical examiners office
collect gunshot residue swabbing form both of the victim’s hands prior to
the victim’s autopsy and forward them to evidence storage under a chain of
custody.
Investigator Jolly prepared a chain of custody form to have the
weapon sent to the crime laboratory for analysis. He requested the weapon
test fired for functionally and comparison of the bullet fired from this same
handgun. Additionally, he requested to have the weapon processed for
latent impressions.
The pistol used in this shooting was photographed by the crime scene
personnel and the serial number recorded by investigators Darren Flem and
Bill jolly. Investigator Flem checked the serial number of the pistol in
National Crime Information Center (NCIC) for wants and whether it was
stolen. The computer check came back as no record found.
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Interview with Victim’s Son, Hector Cerveza
Hector arrived at his father’s residence at 9:40 am and was
interviewed by Investigators Flem and Jolly. Hector stated that his father
had been living alone since his mother had passed away one year to the exact
date of his this shooting incident. He advised that his father had been
depressed since the loss of his wife and he was additionally having health
problems with his heart.
Hector wanted to see the location in the family front yard where his
father had been found this morning. When Investigators Flem and Jolly
walked around the corner of the house, hector immediately stopped.
Investigators Flem pointed to the area of the yard where Aguilar had been
his mother’s favorite rose garden.
Investigators Flem and Jolly went into the family front residence and
showed hector several items that deputies located while earlier searching
the residence.
On the dinning room table were two handwritten letters. One was a
farewell letter to Hector and the second envelope contained a letter with
Aguilar’s Last Will and Testament.
The investigators then showed Hector several prescription bottles,
one of which was Cordruna.
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Laboratory Analysis Results
Analysis of the gunshot residue swabbing from the victim’s right hand,
indicated the significance presence of nitrates from gunpowder. No
indication of gunshot residue was detected from the victim’s left hand.
The bullet projectile recovered from Aguilar Cerveza at the time of
autopsy, was consistent to a sample projectile fired from the handgun found
at the shooting scene, thus the same weapon was used in the death of
Aguilar Cerveza.
Two partial latent fingerprints were discovered on the side of the
handgun found at the scene of this shooting. Both partial latent fingerprints
matched the right thumb of Aguilar Cerveza.
Autopsy Report
Gender:
Age:
Height:
Weight:
Name:
Male
62 YOA
6’0”
210 lbs.
Aguilar Cerveza
Findings: Single gunshot to left quadrant of the chest. No stippling present,
however, a 360-degree circular charred impression at the point of entry.
Entry wound has characteristics of a contact with inflicting weapon. No
trauma resulting from exit of bullet.
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Conclusion
From a preponderance of physical evidence the events in this shooting
incident lead one to believe that this was suicide. This case is determined to
be self-inflicted gunshot wound resulting in death.
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The Crime
at Tiger
Land
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The Crime at Tiger Land
CHARACTERS: Decide on a crime
and who has committed the crime.
Who are your suspects? Who will
work to solve the crime? How do the
characters respond to the events in
your story? What specific scientific
specialties will need to be involved in
your investigation and what will they
do?
BACKGROUND: What is the
background? What was the
relationship of the characters prior
to any crime taking place? What
activities did the characters enjoy?
Were they students?
SETTING: Where did the crime
take place? How is the location of
the crime significant to your case?
What evidence is found at the scene
that needs to be further
investigated? Is the scene a primary
or a secondary crime scene?
CLUES: What are the clues to what
happened to one or more of the
characters? Who reveals the clues?
Who discovers the clues? What
evidence is there at the scene? How
was this evidence generated? What
was the motive for the crime? What
was it in the relationships of the
characters that might lead to
suspect one or more of them?
DISTRACTIONS: What is leading
the person trying to solve the crime
away from the facts of the case? Is
there more than one suspect with a
possible motive? Has all of the
DRAW SIX CARDS
One Red
One Green
Four Black
DRAW ONE CARD
DRAW ONE CARD
DRAW FOUR CARDS
DRAW TWO CARDS
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evidence not been processes? Were
there mistakes in the case?
ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE
PLOT: List the order of the plot.
What happens step by step? When
do the clues appear? When does the
evidence appear? How will the
evidence need to be preserved in
order for the scientists and
investigators to analyze it? How will
the chain of custody/evidence be
maintained? When does the person
doing the investigation begin to
develop a list of suspects? When do
the distractions appear
CONCLUSION: What is the
conclusion of your story? Who is the
person of interest? How is the final
case established? What pieces of
evidence are used to convict the
criminal? Who will testify in court?
How are the pieces connected to
make the final arrest?
CHARACTERS: Begin your mystery.
Decide on a crime and who has committed
the crime. Who are your suspects. Who
will work to solve the crime? How do the
other characters respond to the events in
your story? What specific scientific
specialties will need to be involved in your
investigation and what will they do to help
solve the crime?
CHARACTERS: Begin your mystery.
Decide on a crime and who has committed
the crime. Who are your suspects
(characters). Who will work to solve the
crime? How do the other characters
respond to the events in your story? What
specific scientific specialties will need to
be involved in your investigation and what
will they do to help solve the crime?
DRAW TWO CARDS
DEVELOP YOUR OWN
DEVELOP YOUR OWN
Blood Spatter Expert
Ima Cell
Hand Writing Expert
Iluva Ink
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CHARACTERS: Begin your mystery.
Decide on a crime and who has committed
the crime. Who are your suspects
(characters). Who will work to solve the
crime? How do the other characters
respond to the events in your story? What
specific scientific specialties will need to
be involved in your investigation and what
will they do to help solve the crime?
CHARACTERS: Begin your mystery.
Decide on a crime and who has committed
the crime. Who are your suspects
(characters). Who will work to solve the
crime? How do the other characters
respond to the events in your story? What
specific scientific specialties will need to
be involved in your investigation and what
will they do to help solve the crime?
CHARACTERS: Begin your mystery.
Decide on a crime and who has committed
the crime. Who are your suspects
(characters). Who will work to solve the
crime? How do the other characters
respond to the events in your story? What
specific scientific specialties will need to
be involved in your investigation and what
will they do to help solve the crime?
CHARACTERS: Begin your mystery.
Decide on a crime and who has committed
the crime. Who are your suspects
(characters). Who will work to solve the
crime? How do the other characters
respond to the events in your story? What
specific scientific specialties will need to
be involved in your investigation and what
will they do to help solve the crime?
Forensic Anthropologist
CHARACTERS: Begin your mystery.
Decide on a crime and who has committed
the crime. Who are your suspects
(characters). Who will work to solve the
crime? How do the other characters
respond to the events in your story? What
Finger Print Expert
Sherlock Bones
Ballistics Expert
Hava Holster
DNA Expert
Twisted Helix
Fibers Analyst
Thready People
Loopy Pad
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specific scientific specialties will need to
be involved in your investigation and what
will they do to help solve the crime?
BACKGROUND: What is the background?
What was the relationship of the characters
prior to any crime taking place? What
activities did the characters enjoy? Were
they students?
SETTING: Where did the crime take place?
How is the location of the crime significant
to your case? What evidence is found at the
scene that needs to be further investigated?
Is the scene a primary or a secondary crime
scene?
CLUES: What are the clues to what
happened to one or more of the characters?
Who reveals the clues? Who discovers the
clues? What evidence is there at the scene?
How was this evidence generated? What was
the motive for the crime? What was it in
the relationships of the characters that
might lead to suspect one or more of them
CLUES: What are the clues to what
happened to one or more of the characters?
Who reveals the clues? Who discovers the
clues? What evidence is there at the scene?
How was this evidence generated? What was
the motive for the crime? What was it in
the relationships of the characters that
might lead to suspect one or more of them
CLUES: What are the clues to what
happened to one or more of the characters?
Who reveals the clues? Who discovers the
clues? What evidence is there at the scene?
How was this evidence generated? What was
the motive for the crime? What was it in
the relationships of the characters that
might lead to suspect one or more of them
CLUES: What are the clues to what
happened to one or more of the characters?
Who reveals the clues? Who discovers the
clues? What evidence is there at the scene?
How was this evidence generated? What was
the motive for the crime? What was it in
the relationships of the characters that
might lead to suspect one or more of them
All characters are friends
Crime took place in the bedroom of a
three story house
A rifle and pistol are found at the
scene both are fully loaded
A small skeleton is found in the
basement along with an old Bible
An urn of cremated remains is found
beside the victim of a shooting
A full pitcher of iced tea is found at
the scene and the victim is laying on
the floor with a spilled glass of tea on
the floor beside them
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DISTRACTIONS: What is leading the
person trying to solve the crime away from
the facts of the case? Is there more than
one suspect with a possible motive? Has all
of the evidence not been processes? Were
there mistakes in the case?
A pizza was delivered to the house
moments before the crime.
DISTRACTIONS: What is leading the
person trying to solve the crime away from
the facts of the case? Is there more than
one suspect with a possible motive? Has all
of the evidence not been processes? Were
there mistakes in the case?
Phone records indicate the victim
was on the phone during the time of
the crime.
CHARACTERS: Begin your mystery.
Decide on a crime and who has committed
the crime. Who are your suspects
(characters). Who will work to solve the
crime? How do the other characters
respond to the events in your story? What
specific scientific specialties will need to
be involved in your investigation and what
will they do to help solve the crime?
CHARACTERS: Begin your mystery.
Decide on a crime and who has committed
the crime. Who are your suspects
(characters). Who will work to solve the
crime? How do the other characters
respond to the events in your story? What
specific scientific specialties will need to
be involved in your investigation and what
will they do to help solve the crime?
CHARACTERS: Begin your mystery.
Decide on a crime and who has committed
the crime. Who are your suspects
(characters). Who will work to solve the
crime? How do the other characters
respond to the events in your story? What
specific scientific specialties will need to
be involved in your investigation and what
will they do to help solve the crime?
CHARACTERS: Begin your mystery.
Decide on a crime and who has committed
the crime. Who are your suspects
(characters). Who will work to solve the
crime? How do the other characters
FBI Guy
Eliot Ness
Lead Detective
Perfect Record
Crime Scene Analyst
Ready Testtube
Beat Cop
Flat Harrytoe
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respond to the events in your story? What
specific scientific specialties will need to
be involved in your investigation and what
will they do to help solve the crime?
CHARACTERS: Begin your mystery.
Decide on a crime and who has committed
the crime. Who are your suspects. Who
will work to solve the crime? How do the
other characters respond to the events in
your story? What specific scientific
specialties will need to be involved in your
investigation and what will they do to help
solve the crime?
CHARACTERS: Begin your mystery.
Decide on a crime and who has committed
the crime. Who are your suspects. Who
will work to solve the crime? How do the
other characters respond to the events in
your story? What specific scientific
specialties will need to be involved in your
investigation and what will they do to help
solve the crime?
BACKGROUND: What is the background?
What was the relationship of the characters
prior to any crime taking place? What
activities did the characters enjoy? Were
they students?
SETTING: Where did the crime take place?
How is the location of the crime significant
to your case? What evidence is found at the
scene that needs to be further investigated?
Is the scene a primary or a secondary crime
scene?
CLUES: What are the clues to what
happened to one or more of the characters?
Who reveals the clues? Who discovers the
clues? What evidence is there at the scene?
How was this evidence generated? What was
the motive for the crime? What was it in
the relationships of the characters that
might lead to suspect one or more of them
CLUES: What are the clues to what
happened to one or more of the characters?
Who reveals the clues? Who discovers the
clues? What evidence is there at the scene?
How was this evidence generated? What was
CIA Analyst
World Traveler
BAU Profiler
Mandy Goneaway
One character is divorced from
another
Crime took place in a night club
Two bodies are found at the scene
one stabbed and one shot.
Two sets of remains are found at the
scene: one is a skeleton the other is a
recently drowned victim.
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the motive for the crime? What was it in
the relationships of the characters that
might lead to suspect one or more of them
CLUES: What are the clues to what
happened to one or more of the characters?
Who reveals the clues? Who discovers the
clues? What evidence is there at the scene?
How was this evidence generated? What was
the motive for the crime? What was it in
the relationships of the characters that
might lead to suspect one or more of them
CLUES: What are the clues to what
happened to one or more of the characters?
Who reveals the clues? Who discovers the
clues? What evidence is there at the scene?
How was this evidence generated? What was
the motive for the crime? What was it in
the relationships of the characters that
might lead to suspect one or more of them
DISTRACTIONS: What is leading the
person trying to solve the crime away from
the facts of the case? Is there more than
one suspect with a possible motive? Has all
of the evidence not been processes? Were
there mistakes in the case?
DISTRACTIONS: What is leading the
person trying to solve the crime away from
the facts of the case? Is there more than
one suspect with a possible motive? Has all
of the evidence not been processes? Were
there mistakes in the case?
No bodies are found at the scene but
there is a lot of blood and a partial
right arm.
Might be a secondary scene.
One body is found at the scene
infested with blow fly larvae.
An urban fly species.
There is a car with a broken window
in front of the secondary crime scene
The location of the victim is not the
primary scene.
CHARACTERS: Begin your mystery.
Decide on a crime and who has committed
the crime. Who are your suspects
(characters). Who will work to solve the
crime? How do the other characters
respond to the events in your story? What
specific scientific specialties will need to be
involved in your investigation and what will
they do to help solve the crime?
College Student
CHARACTERS: Begin your mystery.
Decide on a crime and who has committed
College Student
Ima Slow
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the crime. Who are your suspects
(characters). Who will work to solve the
crime? How do the other characters
respond to the events in your story? What
specific scientific specialties will need to be
involved in your investigation and what will
they do to help solve the crime?
CHARACTERS: Begin your mystery.
Decide on a crime and who has committed
the crime. Who are your suspects
(characters). Who will work to solve the
crime? How do the other characters
respond to the events in your story? What
specific scientific specialties will need to be
involved in your investigation and what will
they do to help solve the crime?
CHARACTERS: Begin your mystery.
Decide on a crime and who has committed
the crime. Who are your suspects
(characters). Who will work to solve the
crime? How do the other characters
respond to the events in your story? What
specific scientific specialties will need to be
involved in your investigation and what will
they do to help solve the crime?
CHARACTERS: Begin your mystery.
Decide on a crime and who has committed
the crime. Who are your suspects
(characters). Who will work to solve the
crime? How do the other characters
respond to the events in your story? What
specific scientific specialties will need to be
involved in your investigation and what will
they do to help solve the crime?
CHARACTERS: Begin your mystery.
Decide on a crime and who has committed
the crime. Who are your suspects
(characters). Who will work to solve the
crime? How do the other characters
respond to the events in your story? What
specific scientific specialties will need to be
involved in your investigation and what will
they do to help solve the crime?
BACKGROUND: What is the background?
What was the relationship of the characters
prior to any crime taking place? What
Ima Brain
Housewife
Shirley Vacuum
Car Dealer
Speedy Riggs
Store Owner
Punjab Jewman
Father of the Bride
Imain Debt
One character is having an affair
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activities did the characters enjoy? Were
they students?
SETTING: Where did the crime take place?
How is the location of the crime significant
to your case? What evidence is found at the
scene that needs to be further investigated?
Is the scene a primary or a secondary crime
scene?
CLUES: What are the clues to what
happened to one or more of the characters?
Who reveals the clues? Who discovers the
clues? What evidence is there at the scene?
How was this evidence generated? What was
the motive for the crime? What was it in
the relationships of the characters that
might lead to suspect one or more of them
CLUES: What are the clues to what
happened to one or more of the characters?
Who reveals the clues? Who discovers the
clues? What evidence is there at the scene?
How was this evidence generated? What was
the motive for the crime? What was it in
the relationships of the characters that
might lead to suspect one or more of them
CLUES: What are the clues to what
happened to one or more of the characters?
Who reveals the clues? Who discovers the
clues? What evidence is there at the scene?
How was this evidence generated? What was
the motive for the crime? What was it in
the relationships of the characters that
might lead to suspect one or more of them
CLUES: What are the clues to what
happened to one or more of the characters?
Who reveals the clues? Who discovers the
clues? What evidence is there at the scene?
How was this evidence generated? What was
the motive for the crime? What was it in
the relationships of the characters that
might lead to suspect one or more of them
DISTRACTIONS: What is leading the
person trying to solve the crime away from
the facts of the case? Is there more than
Crime took place in the conference
room at a school
A woman is found in a bed at the
scene she is asleep and there is a
large empty bottle of pills beside her.
A dead man is found at the scene
with a bowl of half eaten chili in front
of him.
One body is found at the scene along
with a gun and a bloody knife.
A black knit cap and a bloody glove
are found at the scene
This is a primary crime scene
A ransom note was found at the
scene and the handwriting matches
the handwriting of the victim
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one suspect with a possible motive? Has all
of the evidence not been processes? Were
there mistakes in the case?
DISTRACTIONS: What is leading the
person trying to solve the crime away from
the facts of the case? Is there more than
one suspect with a possible motive? Has all
of the evidence not been processes? Were
there mistakes in the case?
CHARACTERS: Begin your mystery.
Decide on a crime and who has committed
the crime. Who are your suspects
(characters). Who will work to solve the
crime? How do the other characters
respond to the events in your story? What
specific scientific specialties will need to be
involved in your investigation and what will
they do to help solve the crime?
CHARACTERS: Begin your mystery.
Decide on a crime and who has committed
the crime. Who are your suspects
(characters). Who will work to solve the
crime? How do the other characters
respond to the events in your story? What
specific scientific specialties will need to be
involved in your investigation and what will
they do to help solve the crime?
CHARACTERS: Begin your mystery.
Decide on a crime and who has committed
the crime. Who are your suspects
(characters). Who will work to solve the
crime? How do the other characters
respond to the events in your story? What
specific scientific specialties will need to be
involved in your investigation and what will
they do to help solve the crime?
CHARACTERS: Begin your mystery.
Decide on a crime and who has committed
the crime. Who are your suspects
(characters). Who will work to solve the
crime? How do the other characters
respond to the events in your story? What
specific scientific specialties will need to be
involved in your investigation and what will
they do to help solve the crime?
A forged check was found at the
scene made out to one of your
suspects.
School Teacher
Manny Students
Track Coach
Running Bare
Exotic Dancer
Wiggle Booty
Post Office Worker
Wees Deliver
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CHARACTERS: Begin your mystery.
Decide on a crime and who has committed
the crime. Who are your suspects
(characters). Who will work to solve the
crime? How do the other characters
respond to the events in your story? What
specific scientific specialties will need to be
involved in your investigation and what will
they do to help solve the crime?
CHARACTERS: Begin your mystery.
Decide on a crime and who has committed
the crime. Who are your suspects
(characters). Who will work to solve the
crime? How do the other characters
respond to the events in your story? What
specific scientific specialties will need to be
involved in your investigation and what will
they do to help solve the crime?
BACKGROUND: What is the background?
What was the relationship of the characters
prior to any crime taking place? What
activities did the characters enjoy? Were
they students?
SETTING: Where did the crime take place?
How is the location of the crime significant
to your case? What evidence is found at the
scene that needs to be further investigated?
Is the scene a primary or a secondary crime
scene?
CLUES: What are the clues to what
happened to one or more of the characters?
Who reveals the clues? Who discovers the
clues? What evidence is there at the scene?
How was this evidence generated? What was
the motive for the crime? What was it in
the relationships of the characters that
might lead to suspect one or more of them
CLUES: What are the clues to what
happened to one or more of the characters?
Who reveals the clues? Who discovers the
clues? What evidence is there at the scene?
How was this evidence generated? What was
the motive for the crime? What was it in
the relationships of the characters that
might lead to suspect one or more of them
CLUES: What are the clues to what
Bank Teller
Showme Money
Stay at Home Dad
Ibe Home
Two characters are robbers
Crime took place outside the vault of
a bank
One of the victims is found outside
the scene with tire tracks across
their leg
One of the victims has been beaten
with a human leg bone (femur)
Two of the characters are in love with
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happened to one or more of the characters?
Who reveals the clues? Who discovers the
clues? What evidence is there at the scene?
How was this evidence generated? What was
the motive for the crime? What was it in
the relationships of the characters that
might lead to suspect one or more of them
CLUES: What are the clues to what
happened to one or more of the characters?
Who reveals the clues? Who discovers the
clues? What evidence is there at the scene?
How was this evidence generated? What was
the motive for the crime? What was it in
the relationships of the characters that
might lead to suspect one or more of them
DISTRACTIONS: What is leading the
person trying to solve the crime away from
the facts of the case? Is there more than
one suspect with a possible motive? Has all
of the evidence not been processes? Were
there mistakes in the case?
DISTRACTIONS: What is leading the
person trying to solve the crime away from
the facts of the case? Is there more than
one suspect with a possible motive? Has all
of the evidence not been processes? Were
there mistakes in the case?
CHARACTERS: Begin your mystery.
Decide on a crime and who has committed
the crime. Who are your suspects
(characters). Who will work to solve the
crime? How do the other characters
respond to the events in your story? What
specific scientific specialties will need to be
involved in your investigation and what will
they do to help solve the crime?
CHARACTERS: Begin your mystery.
Decide on a crime and who has committed
the crime. Who are your suspects
(characters). Who will work to solve the
crime? How do the other characters
respond to the events in your story? What
specific scientific specialties will need to be
involved in your investigation and what will
the same man.
One of the victims was having an
affair with the investigator.
A bag of money with an exploded die
pack is found at the scene
Several new computers in boxes are
found in the car of the victim
Electronics Technician
Ibea Whiz
School Principal
Lotsa Trouble
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they do to help solve the crime?
CHARACTERS: Begin your mystery.
Decide on a crime and who has committed
the crime. Who are your suspects
(characters). Who will work to solve the
crime? How do the other characters
respond to the events in your story? What
specific scientific specialties will need to be
involved in your investigation and what will
they do to help solve the crime?
CHARACTERS: Begin your mystery.
Decide on a crime and who has committed
the crime. Who are your suspects
(characters). Who will work to solve the
crime? How do the other characters
respond to the events in your story? What
specific scientific specialties will need to be
involved in your investigation and what will
they do to help solve the crime?
CHARACTERS: Begin your mystery.
Decide on a crime and who has committed
the crime. Who are your suspects
(characters). Who will work to solve the
crime? How do the other characters
respond to the events in your story? What
specific scientific specialties will need to be
involved in your investigation and what will
they do to help solve the crime?
CHARACTERS: Begin your mystery.
Decide on a crime and who has committed
the crime. Who are your suspects
(characters). Who will work to solve the
crime? How do the other characters
respond to the events in your story? What
specific scientific specialties will need to be
involved in your investigation and what will
they do to help solve the crime?
BACKGROUND: What is the background?
What was the relationship of the characters
prior to any crime taking place? What
activities did the characters enjoy? Were
they students?
SETTING: Where did the crime take place?
Sales Clerk
Cotton Pants
Insurance Salesman
Yure Ingoodhands
Dentist
Toothy Business
Doctor
M.D. Patient
At least one character has a police
record
Crime took place in the kitchen of a
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How is the location of the crime significant
to your case? What evidence is found at the
scene that needs to be further investigated?
Is the scene a primary or a secondary crime
scene?
CLUES: What are the clues to what
happened to one or more of the characters?
Who reveals the clues? Who discovers the
clues? What evidence is there at the scene?
How was this evidence generated? What was
the motive for the crime? What was it in
the relationships of the characters that
might lead to suspect one or more of them
CLUES: What are the clues to what
happened to one or more of the characters?
Who reveals the clues? Who discovers the
clues? What evidence is there at the scene?
How was this evidence generated? What was
the motive for the crime? What was it in
the relationships of the characters that
might lead to suspect one or more of them
CLUES: What are the clues to what
happened to one or more of the characters?
Who reveals the clues? Who discovers the
clues? What evidence is there at the scene?
How was this evidence generated? What was
the motive for the crime? What was it in
the relationships of the characters that
might lead to suspect one or more of them
CLUES: What are the clues to what
happened to one or more of the characters?
Who reveals the clues? Who discovers the
clues? What evidence is there at the scene?
How was this evidence generated? What was
the motive for the crime? What was it in
the relationships of the characters that
might lead to suspect one or more of them
DISTRACTIONS: What is leading the
person trying to solve the crime away from
the facts of the case? Is there more than
one suspect with a possible motive? Has all
of the evidence not been processes? Were
there mistakes in the case?
DISTRACTIONS: What is leading the
person trying to solve the crime away from
the facts of the case? Is there more than
small house
A shirt with blood spatter across the
back and under the collar are found in
the bedroom of one of the suspects
The crime scene analyst was living
with one of the victims
The victim was recently robbed after
a news story appeared in the paper
about the victim winning a contest.
A door was broken that led to the
bedroom of the victim.
Several broken teeth were found at
the scene these do not belong to the
victim
A dog was found at the scene with
the address of one of your suspects
on its collar.
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one suspect with a possible motive? Has all
of the evidence not been processes? Were
there mistakes in the case?
ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE
ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE
ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE
ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE
ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE
ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE
ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE
ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE
ADDITIONAL
ADDITIONAL
ADDITIONAL
ADDITIONAL
EVIDENCE
EVIDENCE
EVIDENCE
EVIDENCE
ADDITIONAL
ADDITIONAL
ADDITIONAL
ADDITIONAL
ADDITIONAL
EVIDENCE
EVIDENCE
EVIDENCE
EVIDENCE
EVIDENCE
ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE
ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE
ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE
Red carpet fibers
Plastic garbage bag with prints
Unique shoeprint outside the scene
Two blood types at the scene
Lip print on a glass at the scene
Fingerprints on the murder weapon
DNA under the victim’s fingernails
A bank deposit slip with the name of
a suspect
Multiple pet hairs are found
The victim had dyed their hair
The suspect was missing an arm
The suspect has one missing contact
lens
The victim had once broken an arm
Your victim is not alone
Your suspect had an accomplice
The suspect was really a woman
The victim had recently seen a
dentist
The victim had recently been in the
hospital
The victim had Down Syndrome
The victim was poisoned
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The Crime
at Tiger
Land
The Crime at Tiger Land
A. Following the directions on the following pages you will draw cards from each of
the respective stacks:
1. Characters
2. Background
3. Setting
4. Clues
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5. Distractions
6. Additional Evidence
B. You will record the card information that you drew in the exam data table
C. You will generate your own plot and conclusions using the above cards as your
guide.
D. Use the sample crime scene sketch only as a guide as to how your scene might
look.
E. As you write your ORIGINAL mystery use the attached rubric as a guide for what
is expected in your completed exam.
F. Be sure to include the additional evidence that you were provided and then
discuss how All of the evidence will be analyzed. (ie. If a fiber were found what
does this mean and how would you do it?) (ie. If a fingerprint could be found
where might it be and how would you find it and how would you analyze it?).
The Crime at Tiger Land
CHARACTERS: Decide on a crime
and who has committed the crime.
Who are your suspects? Who will
work to solve the crime? How do the
characters respond to the events in
your story? What specific scientific
specialties will need to be involved in
your investigation and what will they
do?
BACKGROUND: What is the
background? What was the
DRAW SIX CARDS
One Red
One Green
Four Black
DRAW ONE CARD
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relationship of the characters prior
to any crime taking place? What
activities did the characters enjoy?
Were they students?
SETTING: Where did the crime take
place? How is the location of the
crime significant to your case? What
evidence is found at the scene that
needs to be further investigated? Is
the scene a primary or a secondary
crime scene?
CLUES: What are the clues to what
happened to one or more of the
characters? Who reveals the clues?
Who discovers the clues? What
evidence is there at the scene? How
was this evidence generated? What
was the motive for the crime? What
was it in the relationships of the
characters that might lead to suspect
one or more of them?
DISTRACTIONS: What is leading
the person trying to solve the crime
away from the facts of the case? Is
there more than one suspect with a
possible motive? Has all of the
evidence not been processes? Were
there mistakes in the case?
ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE
PLOT: List the order of the plot.
What happens step by step? When
do the clues appear? When does the
evidence appear? How will the
evidence need to be preserved in
order for the scientists and
investigators to analyze it? How will
the chain of custody/evidence be
maintained? When does the person
DRAW ONE CARD
DRAW FOUR CARDS
DRAW TWO CARDS
DRAW TWO CARDS
DEVELOP YOUR OWN
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doing the investigation begin to
develop a list of suspects? When do
the distractions appear
CONCLUSION: What is the conclusion
DEVELOP YOUR OWN
of your story? Who is the person of
interest? How is the final case established?
What pieces of evidence are used to convict
the criminal? Who will testify in court? How
are the pieces connected to make the final
arrest?
Data Table
Record the cards that you will use to construct your crime in the
table below.
CHARACTERS: Decide on a crime and who
has committed the crime. Who are your
suspects? Who will work to solve the crime?
How do the characters respond to the events
in your story? What specific scientific
specialties will need to be involved in your
investigation and what will they do?
BACKGROUND: What is the background?
What was the relationship of the characters
prior to any crime taking place? What
activities did the characters enjoy? Were
they students?
SETTING: Where did the crime take place?
How is the location of the crime significant
to your case? What evidence is found at the
scene that needs to be further investigated?
Is the scene a primary or a secondary crime
scene?
CLUES: What are the clues to what
happened to one or more of the characters?
Who reveals the clues? Who discovers the
clues? What evidence is there at the scene?
How was this evidence generated? What was
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the motive for the crime? What was it in the
relationships of the characters that might
lead to suspect one or more of them?
DISTRACTIONS: What is leading the
person trying to solve the crime away from
the facts of the case? Is there more than
one suspect with a possible motive? Has all of
the evidence not been processes? Were
there mistakes in the case?
ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE
PLOT: List the order of the plot. What
happens step by step? When do the clues
appear? When does the evidence appear?
How will the evidence need to be preserved in
order for the scientists and investigators to
analyze it? How will the chain of
custody/evidence be maintained? When does
the person doing the investigation begin to
develop a list of suspects? When do the
distractions appear
CONCLUSION: What is the conclusion of
your story? Who is the person of interest?
How is the final case established? What
pieces of evidence are used to convict the
criminal? Who will testify in court? How are
the pieces connected to make the final
arrest?
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$
Bank
Streets
Intersections
Divider
Passing
Divider Lane
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5'-6"
5'-6"
N
0
315
Incident #: One
45
Address: 2185 Fortune Street
W 270
E 90
225
Scale: 0.25 in. = 1 ft.
135
180
S
Drawn By:
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Streets
Intersections
Divider
Passing
Divider Lane
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Door to Bathroom
Door to Living room
Front Door
Door to Bedroom
31
5
Incident #: One
0
0
27
N
W
Address: 2185 Fortune Street
5
45
22
Page 1 of 7
Scale: 0.25 in. = 1 ft.
Created: 9/15/2004
Time: 10:44:06 AM
E
0
18 S
90
13
Drawn By:
5
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Crime Scene Rubric
4 = CSI
Expert
3= Gold Shield
Detective
2= Investigator
Trainee
1= Case
Unsolved
The mystery has
a logical well
thought out
beginning. A
crime is present
and the reader
knows who has
committed the
crime. Your
suspects
(characters) are
unclear and not
well thought out
or planned. The
reader knows
who will work to
solve the crime.
The reader
knows little
about how the
characters
respond to each
other and to the
events that have
taken place. The
specific
scientific
specialties
involved in the
investigation are
The mystery has
a beginning. A
crime is present
but is not well
planned. The
suspects
(characters) are
present. The
reader suspects
who will solve the
crime. There is
no clear
relationship
between
characters The
scientific
specialties
needed to solve
the crime are
present but their
role in the
solution to the
mystery is
unclear and not
well planned
The mystery has
no real beginning.
A crime is
present but what
has actually
happed in unclear
or not well
planned. The
suspects
(characters) are
present but the
reason they are
suspects is
unclear or not
well planned. The
reader suspects
who will solve the
crime. There is
no clear
relationship
between
characters The
scientific
specialties
needed to solve
the crime are
present but their
role in the
solution to the
mystery is
Elements
of the
Mystery
Characters The mystery
has a logical
well thought
out beginning.
A crime is
present and
the reader
knows who has
committed the
crime. Your
suspects
(characters)
are clear. The
reader knows
who will work
to solve the
crime. The
reader knows
how the other
characters
respond. The
specific
scientific
specialties
involved in the
investigation
are clear and
the reader
knows what
they will do to
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help solve the
crime.
Background A logical well
though
thought
background is
present? The
relationship of
the characters
prior to any
crime taking
place is clear
and well
planned? The
activities the
characters
enjoyed are
clear and well
planned. The
medical
problems that
the characters
have are clear
and the
treatments are
well thought
out. The
effects of the
medical
problems are
clear. Unique
characteristics
of the victim
are clear and
well planned
clear and the
reader knows
what they will do
to help solve the
crime.
A background is
present. The
relationship of
the characters
prior to any
crime taking
place is clear but
not well planned.
The activities
the characters
enjoyed are clear
but not well
planned. The
medical problems
that the
characters have
are clear but the
treatments are
unclear or not
well planned. The
effects of the
medical problems
present. Unique
characteristics
of the victim are
present but may
or may not help
identify the
person
unclear and not
well planned
A background is
present. The
relationship of
the characters
prior to any
crime taking
place is unclear
and not well
planned. The
activities the
characters
enjoyed not well
planned. The
medical problems
that the
characters not
well planned. The
effects of the
medical problems
are present.
Unique
characteristics
of the victim are
present but may
or may not help
identify the
person
Background is
unclear and not
planned. There
is no relationship
of the
characters The
activities the
characters
enjoyed are
unclear not well
planned. The
medical problems
that the
characters are
not present, are
confusing, and
have not
connection to the
case. The
effects of the
medical problems
are not present,
are confusing,
and have not
connection to the
case. Unique
characteristics
of the victim are
not present and
do not help
identify the
person.
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and could help
identify the
person
Setting Strong
evidence of
where the
crime took
place. The
primary and or
secondary
crime scenes
are
established.
The location of
the crime is
clear and its
significance to
the case is
obvious. The
evidence found
at the scene
that is clear
and is related
to the case
and it is clear
where the
investigation
must lead.
Clues The clues are
logical and well
thought out.
The person
who reveals
Evidence of
where the crime
took place is
present. The
primary crime
scene or
secondary crime
scenes are
established but
the role of one is
unclear. The
location of the
crime present
but its
relationship to
the case is not
well planned. The
evidence found
at the scene is
present but the
connection to the
case or where it
may lead is not
clear.
The clues are
present but may
be unclear The
person who
reveals the clues
Evidence of
where the crime
took place is
present but is
unclear or not
well planned. The
primary crime
scene or
secondary crime
scenes are
established but
the role of one is
unclear The
location of the
crime present
but its
relationship to
the case is
unclear and is
not well planned.
The evidence
found at the
scene is present
but is unclear
and the
connection to the
case or where it
may lead is not
clear or is
unplanned
The clues are
present but are
unclear The
person who
reveals the clues
Evidence of
where the crime
took place is
present but is
unclear and not
planned. The
primary crime
scene or
secondary crime
scenes are vague
and the role of
both is unclear
The location of
the crime is
unclear but its
relationship to
the case is
unclear and is
not well planned.
The evidence
found at the
scene is present
but is unclear
and the
connection to the
case or where it
may lead is not
clear or is
unplanned
The clues are not
present and are
unclear The
person who
reveals the clues
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the clues is
clear and they
are related to
the rest of the
mystery. The
discovery of
the clues is
clear and well
planned. The
evidence is
present at the
scene. The
means by
which the
evidence was
generated is
clear and well
planned. The
motive for the
crime is clear.
The
relationships
of the
characters
that might
lead to suspect
one or more of
them are clear
and well
planned
Distracters There are
elements
present that
will clearly
lead the
investigator
away from the
is clear The
discovery of the
clues is present
The evidence is
present at the
scene. The means
by which the
evidence was
generated is
present. The
motive for the
crime is present.
The relationships
of the
characters that
might lead to
suspect one or
more of them
present but may
be unclear as to
the rest of the
case or is not
well planned
is present. The
discovery of the
clues is present
The evidence is
present at the
scene. The means
by which the
evidence was
generated is
present but is
unclear or not
well planned. The
motive for the
crime is present.
But is unclear
The relationships
of the
characters that
might lead to
suspect one or
more of them
present but is
unclear as to the
rest of the case
or is not well
planned
is not present.
The discovery of
the clues is not
present The
evidence is not
present at the
scene. The means
by which the
evidence was
generated is not
present but is
unclear or not
well planned. The
motive for the
crime is not
present. The
relationships of
the characters
that might lead
to suspect one or
more of them not
present but is
unclear as to the
rest of the case
or is not well
planned
There are
elements present
that will lead the
investigator away
from the solution
to the crime.
There is more
There are few
elements present
that will lead the
investigator away
from the solution
to the crime.
There is one
There are no
elements present
that will lead the
investigator away
from the solution
to the crime.
There is one
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solution to the
crime. There is
more than one
suspect with a
possible
motive. The
evidence has
been
processed
properly and
there have
been no
mistakes made
in the case
Plot Step by step
plot is clear
and well
planned. The
clues are well
planned and in
sequential
order. The
evidence
appears in a
sequential well
thought out
order. The
evidence has
been properly
preserved for
analysis. The
chain of
evidence has
been
maintained.
The
investigator
has a logical
than one suspect
with a possible
motive. The
evidence has
been processed
but there have
been mistakes
made in the case
suspect with a
possible motive.
The evidence has
been processed
poorly and there
have been
mistakes made in
the case
suspect with an
unclear motive.
The evidence has
not been
processed
properly and
there have been
mistakes made in
the case
Step by step plot
is present and
planned. The
clues appear in a
sequential order.
The evidence
appears in a
sequential order.
The evidence has
been preserved
for analysis. The
chain of
custody/evidence
has been
maintained. The
investigator has
a l list of
suspects.
Plot is present
and not well
planned. The
clues appear. The
evidence appears
The evidence has
been analyzed
but mistakes
have been made.
The chain of
custody/evidence
is questionable.
The investigator
has a list of
suspects but
they are not
clearly related to
the case.
Plot is present
but is vague and
is not well
planned. The
clues appear but
are unclear. The
evidence appears
but has no real
connection to the
case. The
evidence has not
been analyzed
The chain of
custody/evidence
is questionable or
nonexistent. The
investigator has
a list of suspects
but they are not
clearly related to
the case.
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list of
suspects.
Conclusion Conclusion is
present and is
logical and well
thought out.
There is a
person of
interest
clearly
identified.
The final case
conclusion is
clearly
established.
Evidence is
clearly
connected to
the final
solution. The
final testimony
is well planned
and sequential
in order. An
arrest warrant
can be issued
and the person
of interest can
be convicted
Ideas and Well stated
mystery; use
Content
of a plan with
all of the
effective
elements
present. Good
flow of ideas
from beginning
Conclusion is
present. There
is a person of
interest clearly
identified. The
final case
conclusion is
established.
Evidence is
connected to the
final solution.
The final
testimony is
planned. An
arrest warrant
can be issued and
the person of
interest can be
convicted
Conclusion is
present but is
vague or unclear.
There is a person
of interest
identified but
the reader is
unclear as to why
this person is a
suspect. The
final case
conclusion is
established but
is unclear.
Evidence does
not really lead to
the final solution.
The final
testimony is
unplanned. An
arrest warrant
cannot be issued
and the person
of interest
cannot be
convicted
Conclusion is not
present. There
is not a person of
interest
identified The
final case
conclusion is not
established.
Evidence does
not lead to a
final testimony is
unplanned. An
arrest warrant
cannot be issued
and the person
of interest
cannot be
convicted
Mystery is set up
All of the
effective
elements are
present but not
in a logical
sequence. Flow
of ideas from
beginning to end
Mystery is set up
Some of the
effective
elements are
present but not
in a logical
sequence No real
flow of ideas
Conclusion is
Mystery is just a
story. Few of the
effective
elements are
present and not
in a logical
sequence No real
flow of ideas
Conclusion is
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to end of the
mystery.
Logical
conclusion is
present.
Mechanics Correct
spelling,
grammar, and
punctuation.
Complete
sentences are
used. Correct
use of
capitalization.
All sources are
cited and
bibliography is
present.
is present.
Conclusion is
present.
present but is
difficult to solve
given the flow of
the work.
present but is
difficult or
impossible to
solve.
Few spelling and
grammar errors,
correct
punctuation.
Complete
sentence are
used. Correct use
of capitalization.
All sources are
cited and
bibliography is
present.
Some spelling
and grammar
errors, some
punctuation
errors are
present.
Complete
sentence are
used. Some
capitalization
errors. Some
sources are cited
with a partial
bibliography
Many spelling and
grammar errors,
some punctuation
errors are
present.
Complete
sentence are
used. Many
capitalization
errors. Few or no
sources are cited
and no
bibliography
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Maggots and Murder
Maggots and Murder
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When police arrived at the address given by the frantic caller, they found a young man lying face up
on the couch. He had obviously been dead for some time. Maggots were found concentrated in the
head and chest region. The windows were closed, although the open curtains allowed sunlight to
enter, and the air-conditioner was set to 72 ° F. What had happened? When had this person died?
Was he murdered?
Table 4 (TEACHER ONLY)
Lengths (in mm) of maggots/pupae collected from body of each case.
Cut several of each to make up the “Sample” collected from the body.
Musca
29 and 20
Calliphora
25 and 29
#2
#3
6
28
35
15
31
-
#4
6 and 19
18
9 and 15
5
Case
#1
Sarcophaga Piophila
29
9
Pupae
39
(Sarcophaga)
33
(Calliphora)
References
Goff, ML. (2000). A Fly for the Procsecution: How Insect Evidence Helps
Solve Crimes. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
Sachs, J.S. (1998) A maggot for the prosecution. Discover,
November, pp 103-108.
Web Sites
http://www.forensic-entomology.com This site has background information, a
good list of literature for further study, and a standard form filled out by
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forensic scientists which can be included as part of the exercise. It also
has some maggots and adult flies.
http://www.uio.no/~mostarke/fores_ent/ A very readable site with lots of
good information and some pictures of flies and maggots.
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Murder Investigation #1
POLICE REPORT
The body of a female was found in an alley behind the dumpsters in a
major U.S. city. No apparent wounds were observed on the body.
WEATHER REPORT
Daytime temperatures have been fairly consistent for the past 3
weeks ranging from 70-74˚F.
ANALYSIS
1. Approximately how long has this person been dead?
11 DAYS
2. Why are maggots of different ages found in the body?
Adults of the same species will arrive at the body at different
times. Adults of different species may also arrive at different
times or they may colonize the resource in different stages of
succession.
3. Besides temperature, what abiotic conditions would you want to
obtain from the weather stations to help you to be more confident
of your estimation above?
Humidity, rain, cloud cover (for estimating microclimate
difference), wind, etc.
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Murder Investigation #2
POLICE REPORT
The body of a young male was found inside an apartment in a major
U.S. city. Maggots were found concentrated in the head and chest
region. The windows were closed, although the open curtains allowed
sunlight to enter, and the air conditioner was set to 72 ˚ F.
WEATHER REPORT
Daytime temperatures have been variable over the past three weeks
ranging from 75-94 ˚ F. Skies have been sunny.
ANALYSIS
1. Approximately how long has this person been dead?
5 DAYS
2. What effect, if any, does the outside temperature have on your
estimation of time of death?
Because the inside temperature is 72°, the outside
temperature has no effect on larval development.
3. How does the fact that the windows were closed relate the
populations of flies you observed in and around the body? (i.e., is
there something different about this population than the
population in investigation#1). How do you explain the absence of
Calliphora vomitoria?
Because the windows were closed, the only flies that could have
laid eggs on the body were those that were already present at
the time of death. Thus, C. vomitoria must not have been
present even though we would expect to see it as an early
colonizer.
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4. Do you suspect foul play? Explain.
YES- The pattern of colonization indicates that an orifice was
present in the chest (more maggots there than would be
expected). A stab wound or bullet hole would be consistent
with the evidence.
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Murder Investigation #3
POLICE REPORT
The body of a young male was found in a field near a small, rural town. The
autopsy report reveals that cocaine was present in the body.
WEATHER REPORT
Daytime temperatures have been unusually warm over the past three weeks
ranging from 84-86˚F.
ANALYSIS
1. Approximately how long has this person been dead?
7 DAYS (Must account for both temperature and drugs when
calculating this.
2. What effect, if any, does cocaine have on your estimation of time of
death? Explain how you used this information in calculating the postmortem interval.
Cocaine speeds up development of Calliphora by 2-3 days.
3. What effect, if any, does the temperature have on your estimation of
time of death? Explain how you used this information in determining
the post-mortem interval.
Temperature speeds up development, thus we must subtract the
number of days that accumulate due to temperature rather than
the passage of time.
4. Does the location of the body, coupled with the insects recovered
from it, suggest foul play or not, or can you tell from the information
given? Explain.
NO-The fact that P.nigriceps was not found on the body is
consistent with the location in which the body was found. No
other evidence (or lack thereof) indicates foul play.
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Murder Investigation #4
POLICE REPORT
The body of an old female was found in a dense, evergreen forest far away
from any urban area.
WEATHER REPORT
Daytime temperatures have been average over the past 3 weeks ranging
from 70-73˚ F. Temperatures in the woods would be approximately 5˚
cooler due to the lack of sun in the shady environment.
ANALYSIS
1. Approximately how long has this person been dead?
10 DAYS
2. What effect, if any, does the temperature have on your estimation of
time of death?
Because it’s cooler in the forest, development is slowed down, thus
you must add the days to the number of days it appears the
maggots have been developing. It slows down the growth by about
2-3 days, depending upon the species.
3. Does the location of the body, coupled with the insects recovered
from it, suggest foul play or not, or can you tell from the information
given? Explain.
Because Piophila occur only in urban habitats, their presence here
indicates that the person must have died in an urban habitat and
must have been moved to the woods at least 5 days after death.
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Analysis of Each Case
Case 1
This case is straightforward-students begin getting used to the procedure
and interacting with each other.
Case 2
This case requires students to recall that the adult flies lay eggs in cavities
within the body. They should expect foul play because there is a large
concentration of maggots in the chest cavity.
Case 3
The twist in this case is the presence of cocaine in the body. Students must
recall that cocaine speeds up growth of certain maggots thus, if they fail to
take this information into account, the post-mortem interval they calculate
will be longer than it actually is. The most common mistake that students
make on this case is that they add extra days (because growth is
accelerated) rather than subtracting days. This case is the most difficult
because it requires students to not only work with the effects of cocaine on
the growth of the larvae, but the higher temperature as well.
Case 4
This case allows students to build on what they learned in Case #3 because
the body here contains arsenic. Arsenic slows larval growth so the same
logic used to solve Case #3 can be applied here as well. This case also
requires that students pay attention to the habitat in which each fly species
is typically found.
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Maggots and Murder
When police arrived at the address given by the frantic caller, they found a young man lying face up
on the couch. He had obviously been dead for some time. Maggots were found concentrated in the
head and chest region. The windows were closed, although the open curtains allowed sunlight to
enter, and the air-conditioner was set to 72 ◦ F. What had happened? When had this person died?
Was he murdered?
Objective
In this activity, students evaluate the evidence from four death scenarios.
For each scenario, they are given a sample of simulated maggots that were
collected from the body; asked to determine the post-mortem interval and
determine whether or not foul play was involved in the death.
Materials





Death scenarios
Reference charts of life history (Table 1)
Ecological Information (Tables 2 and 3)
Plastic sandwich bags containing maggots
Ruler
Procedure
1. For each of the cases, use the information provided on the Life
History sheet to determine approximately how long the body,
from which the sample of “insects” was obtained, has been
dead.
2. Each plastic sandwich bag contains the maggots and puparia
found in or around the body and a ruler measuring them.
3. Some data from the police report also included- some of it may
be useful, some of it may be irrelevant to the questions you are
trying to answer.
4. Begin with Case #1 and progress sequentially to Case #4.
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Murder Investigation #1
POLICE REPORT
The body a female was found in an alley behind the dumpsters in a
major U.S. city. No apparent wounds were observed on the body.
WEATHER REPORT
Daytime temperatures have been fairly consistent for the past 3
weeks ranging from 70-74˚F.
ANALYSIS
1. Approximately how long has this person been dead?
2. Why are maggots of different ages found in the body?
3. Besides temperature, what abiotic conditions would you want to
obtain from the weather stations to help you to be more
confident of your estimation above?
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Murder Investigation #2
POLICE REPORT
The body of a young male was found inside an apartment in a major
U.S. city. Maggots were found concentrated in the head and chest
region. The windows were closed, although the open curtains allowed
sunlight to enter, and the air conditioner was set to 72 ˚ F.
WEATHER REPORT
Daytime temperatures have been variable over the past three weeks
ranging from 75-94 ˚ F. Skies have been sunny.
ANALYSIS
1. Approximately how long has this person been dead?
2. What effect, if any, does the outside temperature have on your
estimation of time of death?
3. How does the fact that the windows were closed relate the
populations of flies you observed in and around the body? (i.e.,
is there something different about this population than the
population in investigation#1). How do you explain the absence
of Calliphora vomitoria?
4. Do you suspect foul play? Explain.
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Murder Investigation #3
POLICE REPORT
The body of a young male was found in a field near a small, rural town. The
autopsy report reveals that cocaine was present in the body.
WEATHER REPORT
Daytime temperatures have been unusually warm over the past three weeks
ranging from 84-86˚F.
ANALYSIS
1. Approximately how long has this person been dead?
2. What effect, if any, does cocaine have on your estimation of time
of death? Explain how you used this information in calculating the
post-mortem interval.
3. What effect, if any, does the temperature have on your estimation
of time of death? Explain how you used this information in
determining the post-mortem interval.
4. Does the location of the body, coupled with the insects recovered
from it, suggest foul play or not, or can you tell from the
information given? Explain.
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Murder Investigation #4
POLICE REPORT
The body of an old female was found in a dense, evergreen forest far away
from any urban area.
WEATHER REPORT
Daytime temperatures have been average over the past 3 weeks ranging
from 70-73˚ F. Temperatures in the woods would be approximately 5˚
cooler due to the lack of sun in the shady environment.
ANALYSIS
1. Approximately how long has this person been dead?
2. What effect, if any, does the temperature have on your estimation
of time of death?
3. Does the location of the body, coupled with the insects recovered
from it, suggest foul play or not, or can you tell from the
information given? Explain.
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Table 1
The development of body length (in millimeters) of some fly species during
their metamorphosis at 72˚ F.
L=Larva, P=Pupa, A=Adult fly
D ay s
after
Death
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Color Key:
Species
Musca
domestica
Egg
Egg
L-6
L-6
L7-11
L12—16
L17-20
L21-25
L26-30
L31-35
P26-29
P26-29
P26-29
P26-29
P26-29
P26-29
A30-32
Species
Calliphora
vomitoria
Species
Sarcophaga
carnaria
Egg
L9-11
L9-11
L12-16
L12-16
L17-20
L9-11
L12-16
L17-20
L21-25
L-26-30
L31-35
Species
Piophila
nigriceps
Egg
E gg
L17-20
L36-40
L3
L21-25
L31-44
L3
L21-25
L34-36
L4-6
L26-30
L34-36
L7-9
L26-30
P28-30
L10-13
L31-35
P28-30
L14-16
L31-35
P28-30
P13-15
P31-34
P38-30
P13-15
P31-34
P28-30
P13-15
P31-34
P28-30
P13-15
P31-34
P28-30
P13-15
P31-34
P28-30
P13-15
P31-34
A22-35
A16-18
P-31-34
A36-38
White=Sarocophaga
Blue=Musca
Yellow=Calliphora
Pink=Piophila
Brown=Pupa (can’t determine the species of pupae except by size)
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Table 2
The developmental delays/accelerations are given in number of days
relative to the developmental schedule in Table 1 for 72˚F.
Temperature
55˚F
65˚F
80˚F
85˚F
Table 3
Ecological
Traits
Habitat
Lighting
Drugs
Musca
domestica
Delayed 4
Delayed 2
Accelerated 1
Accelerated 3
Calliphora
vomitoria
Delayed 4.5
Delayed 3
Accelerated 2
Accelerated 4
Sarcophaga
carnaria
Delayed 4
Delayed 2
Accelerated 1.5
Accelerated 3
Piophila
nigriceps
Delayed 3
Delayed 1
Accelerated 1
Accelerated 2
Ecological information for certain species of flies
Musca
domestica
Urban and
rural
Full to partial
sun
No effect
Calliphora
vomitoria
Urban and
rural
Partial sun to
shady
Sensitive to
effects
Sarcophaga
Piophila
carnaria
nigriceps
Urban and
Urban
rural
Prefers sunny Prefers sunny
No effect
No effect
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Whodunit
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Solve this murder mystery:
Whodunit
In 1932, a healthy person traveling in Wales died in a locked hotel room.
Not only was the door locked, but the windows were nailed shut. For some
reason, the hotel maids were superstitious about the room and insisted that
the room itself was capable of killing people. While skeptical of that idea,
the police were baffled as to the cause of death, and they began an
investigation of the room itself.
It looked like a room for murder, dark and damp; it was papered with dark
green velvety wallpaper that added to the gloom. The wallpaper looked
normal, but the police found that it contained arsenic, a poison. However the
victim was not likely to have eaten the wallpaper. Only if the poison was
converted to a gas might it have poisoned the victim. And even then a high
concentration would be required to be fatal. In reading up on arsenic
compounds, one of the police detectives discovered a fungus Scopularis
brevicalis that converted arsenic to a gas.
Can you explain the murder?