Assignment 2 Lasa 1 A Drug Deal Gone Bad This Assignment Aim

Assignment 2 Lasa 1 A Drug Deal Gone Badthis Assignment Aims For You

Evaluate the criminal investigations process based on the provided crime scenario involving a murder and attempted murder, describing what was done correctly, what was done incorrectly, what is missing, and how the process could be improved. Analyze the crime scene investigation conducted by SA Pearson, discuss its proper and improper aspects, and explain how documenting a crime scene relates to courtroom presentation. Additionally, consider what happens if a case becomes a cold case after thirty years and what components a prosecutor would want to present to a jury in such a scenario. Compare your research on criminal investigation processes with the described investigation and provide a comprehensive evaluation supported by credible references.

Paper For Above instruction

In criminal investigations, meticulous procedures and systematic approaches are essential for solving crimes and ensuring justice. The scenario involving the shooting death of Raynard Jenkins and the attempted murder of Bob Marshall exemplifies many aspects of an investigation—ranging from initial crime scene processing to suspect interrogation and evidence collection. Analyzing the investigation process depicted, along with an examination of best practices and potential improvements, highlights the intricacies and critical factors that influence the outcomes of criminal cases.

Analysis of the Crime Scene Investigation Conducted by SA Pearson

SA Pearson’s role in processing the crime scene demonstrates several proper investigative procedures. Firstly, her detailed documentation through photography from multiple perspectives, including overall and close-up shots with a scale, aligns with standard forensic practices. The use of evidence markers and meticulous notes on bloodstain patterns contribute valuable data for reconstruction and courtroom presentation. Additionally, her approach to sketching the scene, including detailed measurements and evidence placements, adheres to protocols for maintaining the integrity and replicability of the investigation.

However, there are areas where her procedures might be considered inadequate or less optimal. For instance, while she took photographs of bloodstains and swabs, the absence of detailed documentation about the conditions of evidence collection—such as temperature, environmental factors, and chain of custody—can undermine evidentiary credibility. Proper chain of custody documentation is paramount; any lapse might be challenged in court. Moreover, the fact that she did not draw a sketch of the second barrier extending into the road could impair the completeness of the scene analysis, which is vital for establishing proximity and movement.

This investigation illustrates the importance of adhering strictly to crime scene processing protocols, including comprehensive scene sketches, consistent documentation, and preserving chain of custody. Proper documentation not only ensures the evidence’s integrity but also bolsters its admissibility in court, facilitating effective prosecution and defense examination.

Comparison with Established Criminal Investigation Processes

The described investigation largely aligns with standard procedures, such as securing the scene, collecting physical evidence, executing search warrants, and conducting witness interviews. The use of a grid search and evidence markers reflects methodological thoroughness. However, certain practices, notably the destruction of witness notes after interview integration into typed reports, deviate from best practices. Retaining witness notes, along with interview recordings and reports, is critical, as they serve as primary sources if disputes or challenges arise.

Furthermore, the investigative focus on physical evidence—such as bloodstain patterns and fingerprinting—demonstrates adherence to forensic standards. Nonetheless, the reliance on circumstantial evidence, without obtaining ballistic evidence or shell casings, limits the evidence’s conclusiveness. This illustrates the importance of thoroughly pursuing all evidence types, including ballistic analysis, to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the crime scene.

Overall, the investigation reflects good practices but could benefit from more rigorous documentation, preservation of all witness accounts, and pursuit of additional forensic evidence, such as ballistics, to strengthen the case.

Evaluation of Investigative Procedures and Recommendations for Improvement

The investigators’ strengths include prompt scene security, methodical evidence collection, and collaborative efforts among the sheriff’s deputies, SBI agents, and forensic specialists. Their ability to secure the scene and execute search warrants demonstrates professionalism. Additionally, the use of photographs and sketches underscores a clear understanding of crime scene documentation’s role in court.

On the negative side, the disposal of witness notes after the procedural use introduces potential risks for impeachment or reconstruction efforts. It is critical to preserve all materials related to witness interviews. Additionally, the investigation appears to have overlooked certain forensic avenues, notably ballistics analysis of the gun and recovery of shell casings that could link the weapon definitively to the shooting.

To improve future investigations, agencies should implement rigorous chain of custody protocols, retain all witness documentation, and expand forensic analysis. Invest in training investigators in crime scene reconstruction techniques and ensure the consistent use of standardized forms and methods. Integrating digital data storage—such as photographs, notes, and sketches—should be prioritized to prevent loss or tampering of crucial evidence.

Implications of Crime Scene Documentation for Courtroom Presentation

Accurate and thorough documentation of a crime scene is fundamental for courtroom testimony and case presentation. Photographs serve as visual evidence that can clarify complex physical evidence and scene layout. Sketches and measurements help establish an event timeline and spatial relationships, essential for reconstructing the crime. Preserving bloodstain patterns, fingerprint evidence, and weapon analyses provide tangible links between suspects and the crime.

Proper documentation also supports the chain of custody, demonstrating that evidence was handled meticulously and ethically, which is critical to avoid challenges from defense attorneys. In court, well-maintained evidence records aid prosecutors in telling a coherent, credible story and facilitate cross-examination of witnesses and experts.

Unprofessional or incomplete documentation risks undermining the case and losing opportunities to present key evidence. Therefore, comprehensive, accurate, and preserved documentation practices are vital components that bolster the integrity of the investigation and its future courtroom presentation.

What Happens if a Case Becomes a Cold Case After Thirty Years?

If a homicide case remains unsolved for thirty years, it transforms into a cold case. Such cases require renewed investigative efforts, often with new evidence, technology, or witnesses emerging over time. As a prosecutor, critical components needed to present a case decades later include preserved physical evidence, corroborative forensic data, and any survivor or witness testimony available—whether fresh or memory-based.

Advancements in forensic DNA analysis are crucial. Samples collected during the investigation, such as bloodstains or semen, should be properly stored and tested using current DNA techniques. This can facilitate identifying suspects or exonerating the innocent. Digital records, photographs, and detailed case files become invaluable in reconstructing the scene as it was originally, providing context for new evidence or re-interviewing witnesses.

Prosecutors must also ensure legal compliance with evidence chain of custody and able to establish timelines and suspect links using all available data. In such protracted cases, establishing motive and establishing that links connect the suspect to the crime scene decades later form the backbone of successful prosecution. Evidence preservation, technological re-analysis, and thorough witness re-interviews are essential to overcome the inherent challenges posed by the passage of time.

Conclusion

Criminal investigations demand discipline, attention to detail, and adherence to legal and procedural standards. The scenario outlined demonstrates both strengths—such as the use of photographs and warrants—and weaknesses, like improper note retention and incomplete forensic analysis. Continuous improvements in evidence handling, documentation, and forensic techniques serve to enhance investigative outcomes. Furthermore, understanding the importance of case preservation and evidence integrity gains heightened importance in cold cases, where decades later, new technology and diligent preservation can be the keys to justice. Ultimately, rigorous, systematic, and transparent investigative practices are the foundation for successful prosecution and courtroom confidence.

References

• Buckley, G. (2017). Crime Scene Investigation: Methods and Procedures. Law Enforcement Journal, 12(3), 56-70.
• Gill, C. (2019). Forensic Science in Criminal Investigations. Criminal Justice Journal, 34(2), 45-61.
• Houck, M. M., & Siegel, J. A. (2015). Fundamentals of Forensic Science. Academic Press.
• James, S. H., & Nordby, J. J. (2019). Forensic Science: An Introduction to Scientific and Investigative Techniques. CRC Press.
• Kenneally, T. (2020). Prosecuting Cold Cases: Strategies and Challenges. Journal of Criminal Law, 52(4), 789-808.
• Saferstein, R. (2018). Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science. Pearson.
• Stoney, S. (2016). Crime Scene Investigation and Evidence Collection. Law Enforcement Today.
• Siegel, J. A., & Waddell, J. T. (2019). Forensic Science: Evidence and Investigation. CRC Press.
• Wells, W. (2021). The Chain of Custody and Evidence Handling. Forensic Science Review, 33(1), 25-40.
• Yamada, M., & Smith, D. (2022). Advances in DNA Analysis and Cold Case Resolution. Forensic Science International, 331, 110987.