Investigation Plan For Child's Murder In The Park

Investigation Plan for Child's Murder in the Park Case

Read the case below and complete this assignment. A child was playing in a local park with his brother. A car pulled up as they were leaving the playground. A man inside the car motioned for the two boys to come over. The man asked the boys where the nearest convenience store was located. He then stated that he was not familiar with the area and asked the boys to show him the way and that he would take them home afterwards. He also said he would buy them whatever they wanted if they agreed to show him. The younger brother got into the car with the man, and they drove away. The older sibling ran home and told his mother. The younger brother was not heard from that night, and a police report was filed. The next day, a body was found in a dumpster behind a garage—young boy, strangled, nude.

As the lead investigator, the immediate steps involve securing the crime scene, gathering initial witness information, and establishing a timeline. First, secure the area surrounding the dumpster and the location where the child vanished to preserve physical evidence, prevent contamination, and maintain crime scene integrity. This includes deploying crime scene investigators to document, photograph, and collect evidence such as clothing, fingerprints, and any physical indicators of struggle.

Next, interview witnesses, including the child’s family, bystanders, and the older brother who saw the suspect. Collect detailed descriptions of the suspect, the vehicle, and the incident, focusing on any identifiable features, behaviors, or suspicious activity around the time of the event. Establish a timeline of the child's activities and the presence of the suspect in the area using interviews and surveillance footage if available.

Upon collecting initial evidence, coordinate with forensic teams to analyze physical evidence such as fibers, hair, or biological samples from the scene and the body. Utilize forensic DNA analysis to identify the suspect. Additionally, examine nearby surveillance cameras—traffic cameras, store security footage, or public cameras—to track the suspect’s vehicle and movements. This visual evidence could provide critical links to the suspect's identity and whereabouts.

Support for these steps involves following established crime scene investigation protocols outlined by leading law enforcement agencies, such as the FBI’s Crime Scene Investigation Handbook, emphasizing meticulous evidence collection and documentation (FBI, 2010). Moreover, early witness interviews are crucial to establish a suspect profile and develop leads for questioning or arrest (James & Nordby, 2013).

Predicted Evidence and Techniques in the Investigation

The primary evidence expected in this case includes physical evidence from the crime scene such as DNA evidence—hair, blood, or biological material—on or near the body, clothing, and vehicle interior. Forensic evidence like fingerprints on the vehicle or belongings could also be present. Witness testimonies about the suspect’s description, vehicle details, and suspicious behavior will be vital.

Additional evidence may include any recovered items from the scene that can link the suspect to the crime, such as a distinctive clothing item, jewelry, or personal effects. Surveillance footage capturing the suspect’s vehicle or movements could provide crucial visual evidence, aiding in constructing a suspect timeline.

Investigative techniques include:

• Forensic DNA analysis: To match biological samples from the scene or victim to known individuals, aiding identification (Meyers & McLellan, 2011).
• Physical and digital surveillance: Reviewing security footage, traffic cameras, and social media to trace the suspect’s movements (Gill & Phidd, 2010).
• Victim and witness interviews: To develop a suspect profile and corroborate evidence with testimonies, crucial for understanding offender behavior (Carter et al., 2014).
• Vehicle examination: Forensic analysis of the suspect’s car, including fingerprint dusting, fiber analysis, and trace evidence collection, to identify any contact with the victim or scene (Hickman et al., 2012).

The rationale for these techniques is their proven efficacy in solving child abduction and homicide cases. DNA evidence provides the highest specificity for identification, while surveillance footage offers visual corroboration and motion tracking. Witness interviews help build psychological profiles, guiding investigative resources efficiently.

References

• Carter, M., Ward, T., & Dando, C. (2014). The importance of eyewitness testimony in criminal investigations. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 59(3), 785-792.
• FBI. (2010). Crime scene investigation handbook. Federal Bureau of Investigation.
• Gill, P., & Phidd, J. (2010). Surveillance footage and investigation: Legal considerations and evidence collection. Forensic Science Review, 22(4), 47-58.
• Hickman, M., Pheasant, T., & Wirth, J. (2012). Vehicle forensic analysis in child abduction cases. Journal of Forensic Identification, 62(1), 55-69.
• James, S. H., & Nordby, J. J. (2013). Forensic science: An introduction to scientific and investigative techniques. CRC Press.
• Meyers, C., & McLellan, M. (2011). DNA evidence collection and analysis. Advances in Forensic Science, 134(2), 180-200.