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Criminal Investigation
Introduction
On Nov 3, 2k, the dead man remains of a woman was spotted along Older Annapolis highway, Columbia. The entire body, which was after identified as that of Ashley Smith, was first discovered by two truck drivers, who instantly notified cops. The first police officers attained the field at 1051 hours, inspected the patient, and concluded that she was dead. Against the law scene edge was then established to allow for further research and number of evidence ahead of the body was moved.
According to studies, the 1st action that police officers require once they reach a crime scene is to ensure that the field is anchored (Howell, 1999). This is usually in an effort to prevent any kind of tampering of evidence, along with create place for further research. According to the case study, D/CPL Case was designated the part of the main investigator. Hence, it was his responsibility to ensure all the people responsible were brought to publication.
Criminal offense scene researchers are folks in charge of the complete CSI procedure. Apart from developing identities of victims as well as suspects of your crime field, it is also the responsibility of the CSI investigator to obtain witness testimonies, link potential foods to criminal offense scenes, and exonerate the innocent (Byrd, 2000). The situation study expects to analyze the way in which in which the murder investigation was conducted additionally to lessons learned via it.
Reflection about Case Study
In my opinion, the murder investigation was conducted in a fair way. This is because all processes were followed sequentially and in the proper manner ” that is, relative to the crime scene research procedures. For example, police officers thrown into actions the moment they received news about a human body spotted over the Old Annapolis road. In accordance to research, the initial action that police officers should always take after they reach a crime scene should be to set up a perimeter to avoid vital evidence from becoming tampered with. One of the reasons for what reason the investigation was conducted smoothly was due to the proper organization in the police officers in charge. After receiving the report of a dead body that were located, an investigation panel began in which D/CPL Case was to act as the main investigator. Through this firm, no clashes were seen among the cops since all the officers were aware of their tasks in the analysis.
Throughout the investigation, D/CPL Case was of great importance; this is because all his suggestions were powerful, and it was through him that the investigation was successful. For instance, during the early days in the investigation, improvement was quite slow as all leads were hitting a dead end. D/CPL Case increased the pace of the investigation following he announced a reward of $8, 1000 to anyone who would come forward with information regarding the killing of Ashley Jones. By launching an award, D/CPL Case knew that somebody withholding information regarding the homicide would eventually come out, which was true. Although the homicide was released in the media, not all details was shown; instead, some vital details was withheld. For instance, the media would not mention the sections where the victim was stabbed or the number of pains inflicted within the victim’s physique. Apart from the stabbings, nothing was said regarding strangulation from the victim. This was a good maneuver by D/CPL Case as these absences were used as blocks during the revendication process.
In my opinion, the interrogations had been conducted inside the right fashion; this is because D/CPL Case ascertained that he interrogated all of the people whose names had been mentioned through the interviews. In order to ensure that the interrogations went smoothly, D/CPL Case applied a number of products. For instance, in addition to photos and sketches with the crime picture, D/CPL Case also depended on forensic analysts, and pathologists, who have aided in reconstructing the crime picture, hence, easing the interrogation operations. In line with the case study, it truly is evident that D/CPL Case remained calm throughout the revendication process as he was under no circumstances in a hurry. As an example, whenever having been not satisfied with the information attained during an interrogation, D/CPL Case will set up an additional interrogation with all the same experience and try to acquire additional information. It is through this tactic that D/CPL Circumstance managed to acquire more information from Scott Williams. Although almost all of the interrogations were conducted in an appropriate manner, the same cannot be said when it comes to Fredrick Meeks. Although Jeff admitted that he was with Johnson during the night time of the homicide, D/CPL Case interviewed Meeks only once ahead of accusing him of close murder. I believe, D/CPL Case was not only in the manner by which he interrogated Johnson. Even though the case was solved successfully, the case examine does not discuss what happened towards the $8, 500 award that were advertised in the media. I believe, since absolutely nothing is mentioned regarding this award, the award was just a installation that tempted possible suspects to come forward.
Crime Scene Investigation and Evidence Analysis
Investigation from the homicide began on 11/3/00 when two truck individuals spotted the entire body and reported it to the police. Following setting up a perimeter, thorough analysis of the criminal offense scene commenced. Investigation with the crime landscape was detailed since many professionals had been present. For example, apart from law enforcement officers, there were as well photographers, forensic scientists, and pathologists. In respect to Assi (2010), the main reason all analysis specialists must be present is usually to replicate the crime field before introducing an investigation. For example, whereas the role of police officers is always to search the entire crime landscape and take notes, shooting and sketching the criminal offenses scene is additionally of great importance. Taking photographs and painting the picture makes it easy to examine the criminal offense scene just in case something arises during the exploration (Howell, 1999). When choosing photographs of your homicide research, several factors need to be regarded. The face with the victim ought to be photographed for the purpose of identification when official inspections commence. In addition to the face, photographs should be used of all pains inflicted around the victim, most unusual markings appearing on the victim’s body, and the particularities of the victim’s clothing (Assi, 2010). In the case study, it is evident that crime scene investigators followed these requirements. This is because you will discover photographs depicting the victim’s face, all wounds inflicted on her, as well as the manner in which the victim was dressed. In line with the photographs considered at the crime scene, it is evident that apart from being stabbed in the neck and abdominal place, the patient was as well strangled.
While continue to at the criminal offense scene, numerous evidence supplies were collected. For instance, apart from the two neoprene skullcaps located at the field, the forensic scientists and crime landscape technicians accumulated more evidence for further analysis in the research laboratory. Other things collected included the victim’s blood sample, the victim’s garments, and GENETICS swabbings from your victim’s ankles, mouth, vaginal area, and trou. After analyzing the evidence collected at the criminal offenses scene, the truth emerged the fact that victim got consumed alcoholic beverages prior to her death. Additionally , the patient had likewise engaged in a sexual activity occasions before her death. This is discovered by samples of sperms detected in her slacks, vagina, and anus. In line with the notes taken at the crime scene, the wounds caused on the patient were due to knife stabbings. The tough weapon, that was later learned by Richard Myers, was also forwarded to the laboratory for further forensic investigation. Following your media announcement, the researchers took note of two names, Jeff Jones and Fredrick Meeks, which have been mentioned in three from the calls received. After establishing surveillance for the two principal suspects, investigators managed to get the suspects’ finger prints from the cigarette butts they’d discarded. These butts had been used by the analysts to spot whether the two suspects experienced any backlinks to the homicide. By the cigarette butts attained, the detectives realized that the suspects’ GENETICS matched together with the DNA acquired at the criminal offenses scene, as well as the murder system found. This critical information prompted cops to apprehend the two potential foods for further exigence.
Researched Steps and Strategies
Following successfully determining the victim as Ashley Smith, the next step was to start an investigation in the homicide, which usually would result in the arrest with the perpetrators. To get the analysis to be successful, the investigating staff used a number of steps and strategies. The first step was to find the full account of the sufferer. Since the lady was still underage, her information were not obtainable in the computer program; hence, it had been D/CPL Case’s task to acquire this information via Mrs. Johnson. After keeping an interview with Mrs. Cruz, D/CPL Case learned that, just before her demise, Ashley have been a student by Grand High school graduation and had a female friend called Heather Jones. According to Mrs. Johnson, Heather was your last person to see Ashley. Apart from Heather, Mrs. Johnson also described Jason Phelps, who had been Ashley’s boyfriend. The info marked the beginning of the exploration since more names had been mentioned by Heather and Jason. Since most of the information acquired had not been solid, the next measure was to mention the homicide in the multimedia and issue an award for anybody that will come frontward with significant information regarding the crime. Based on the case study, this plan was effective since more concrete proof was attained. Apart from the mentioning of titles such as Jeff and Meeks, this strategy also resulted in the identification from the murder weapon, which was a small knife. Richard Myers, the citizen who also spotted the knife, presented the knife to a officer after seeing the homicide report on television.
According to Assi (2010), when an research is still in the act, some info needs to be secret. D/CPL Circumstance applied this strategy by certainly not releasing information about the homicide to the media. In addition to D/CPL Circumstance and the examining team present at the offense scene, no one else was aware of the number of wounds induced on the victim. Apart from the quantity of wounds, the media were not told about the choking. D/CPL Case received many telephone calls, but a single call that caught his attention was the one he received on 11/30/00. With this particular day time, a female harasser claimed that, before her demise, Ashley had been in the company of three guys, one of who was Fredrick Johnson. The caller continued to state that Ashley had been raped by three men before staying killed by simply Johnson within a move to stop her via reporting the incident. Those that have made this call unique from your rest is that the harasser claimed Ashley had been stabbed in the head and neck. The harasser further declared that two of the suspects were scratched by victim along the way. It was this info that caused D/CPL Case to establish a surveillance on the two primary suspects. Even though the investigating officers had images of the potential foods, they were struggling to verify the suspects accurately. Hence, with the aid of P. Um. Gummo, a traffic officer, they were able to verify that, indeed, the suspects beneath surveillance had been Scott Williams and Fredrick Johnson.
Interview of Witnesses and Interrogation of Suspects
According to Howell (1999), selection interviews and interrogations are area of the investigation process since more details is obtained during the process. Besides interrogating witnesses, investigators likewise require interrogate every suspects in whose names happen to be mentioned. Based on the case study, the first person to get interviewed was Mrs. Cruz, the victim’s mother. Through this interview, it was mentioned that the victim had been keen on sneaking away from home at night. Aside from sneaking out, the sufferer had already been in a number of appreciate relationships, and her previous boyfriend was known as Jerr Phelps. Through the interview, Mrs. Smith stated that Ashley had a new close friend generally known as Heather Jones. Apart from Mrs. Smith, D/CPL Case likewise interrogated Heather Thomas. During the interview, D/CPL Case noted that Heather was not showing the whole fact. D/CPL Case wished to apply a polygraph examination about Heather, but her father and mother were from this idea. Consequently, D/CPL Circumstance only asked random questions, which Heather answered. D/CPL Case had taken the record of the interview to Det. Shelly Madison, who later on claimed that out of the eight answers provided by Heather Jones, four had been wrong. This is enough proof to show that that Heather Thomas has not been truthful. It was not before the fourth interrogative that Heather Thomas revealed to knowing Fredrick Johnson. D/CPL Circumstance also interrogated Scott Jones and Fredrick Johnson, who had been the primary think of the murder investigation. Based on the case study, Scott was interrogated more carefully than Fredrick. This is because Fredrick requested an attorney. Hence, having been never questioned. At first, Jeff denied participating in the homicide. However , following numerous exigence by D/CPL Case, Jeff finally opened up to involved in the killing.
Constitutional Challenges
Throughout the investigation, there are a number of motions aimed at controlling some of the evidences. For instance, there was clearly a movement filed to suppress the murder weapon located in the crime landscape. The homicide weapon, a knife, was brought in simply by Richard Myers, an American resident. In my opinion, this item was legally received since it was brought in following an ad was put into the multimedia. Apart from the blade, another motion filed is that of unlawful surveillance. Relating to studies, one is in violation in the fourth Change if he or she decreases the level of privacy of a person by either watching or perhaps listening to the individual (Couenhoven, in. d). I think, D/CPL Circumstance and the exploration team proceeded to go against the next amendment after they illegally positioned surveillance on Scott and Fredrick. There were also a movement filed on the confessions made. It can be against the 4th amendment for the witness to get interrogated for a long time (NCIDS, 2002). Due to this, it is therefore evident that Scott was coerced to generate confessions during the interrogation, consequently, there is large chance that not all the information offered by the suspect was correct. In my opinion, the data provided by Jeff was not officially obtained. Also, it is against the law to get enforcers to obtain information by witnesses and suspects without a warrant (Find Law, 2014). In the case analyze, D/CPL Circumstance and the exploration team acquired the DNA of Scott and Fredrick after illegally acquiring the suspects’ cigarette butts that they acquired discarded with no suspects’ consent. Due to this, therefore, it is evident the fact that law enforcers did not acquire the item legitimately.
Lessons Learnt plus the Applications
The situation study has become quite helpful since through it, I have already been able to know most of the lessons I bought in class about the investigation tactics and methods of a homicide. First, a crime scene needs to be secured by first police officers to arrive at the scene. In case study, PFC. Malcolm was your first police officer to arrive at the scene. After confirming the fact that victim was dead, this individual established a perimeter about the crime scene. Secondly, after securing the crime picture, investigators require photographs in the scene plus the victim. Aside from taking photographs, they also ought to produce drawings of the complete scene. In the case study, apart from sketches, there are also photographs of the victim in addition to the crime scene. These images showed the wounds inflicted on the patient, the good posture in which the sufferer was located, and the manner in which she was clothed when she was initially identified. Following taking photographs, investigators must make sure that they collect all the evidence required. In case study, apart from the victim’s blood samples, other evidence collected included her clothes as well as swabs from her mouth, vaginal area, and anus. Finally, criminal offense scene researchers need to interview all witnesses as well as potential foods whose brands are stated. These selection interviews are of big importance for the investigation since they enable detectives in determining the main suspects. In the case study, it was through numerous brought on that D/CPL Case and his investigating crew were able to determine the main potential foods of the homicide.
Conclusion
On 11/3/00, a female physique was seen in Columbia along the Old Annapolis road. The entire body was after identified as that of Ashley Cruz. During the analysis, it was mentioned that the sufferer was not simply stabbed, unfortunately he also choked. According to tests conducted in the laboratory, prior to her death, the victim got engaged in lovemaking activities. It was due to the diagnosis of sperms in her pants, vaginal area, and and can. After number of evidence, a study was launched to recognize perpetrators in the homicide. In addition to the victim’s mother, interrogations were also conducted upon Heather Thomas, Jason Phelps, Ronnie Emden, Scott Williams, Fredrick Meeks, Michael Stewart, and Janet Jones and Crystal Roberts. It was through the interrogations the investigation crew was able to identify Scott and Johnson since the main perpetrators of the murder. In my opinion, the knowledge addressed in case study has been quite helpful. This is because, throughout the case study, I’ve been able to completely comprehend the knowledge learned in their classroom.
References
Assi, H. (2010). Homicide Offense Scene Exploration. Retrieved on 10 Dec 2014 from www.justiceacademy.org/iShare/Library-Training/Homicide-Scene-Manual.pdf
Byrd, M. (2000). “Duty Explanation for the Crime Picture Investigator. Crime Scene Investigator Network. Retrieved upon 9 December 2014 via http://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/dutydescription.html
Couenhoven, P. (n. d). Curbing Confessions: Involuntariness and Miranda. Retrieved upon 12 Dec 2014 from www.sdap.org/downloads/research/criminal/confessions.pdf
Get Law. (2014). The Fourth Change and the “Exclusionary Rule. Retrieved on doze December 2014 from http://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-rights/the-fourth-amendment-and-the-exclusionary-rule.html
Howell, M. (1999). Homicide Investigation Normal Operating Techniques. Retrieved upon 9 December 2014 coming from www.policeforum.org/assets/docs/Free_Online_Documents/Homicide/homicide%20investigation%20standard%20operating%20procedures%201999.pdf
NCIDS. (2002). Chapter 14: Suppression Motions. Gathered on 12 December 2014 from www.ncids.org/Defender%20Training/Drug%20Case%20Training/Supp_Motions.pdf
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