Reference no: EM133401722

Assignment:

Using the attached crime scene scenario, please answer the following questions as thoroughly as possible:

1. From the listing of evidence collected from the crime scene, please identify from the list of forensic tests available which tests should be conducted on the items of evidence collected, if applicable. The forensic tests you learned about in CCJS 301 are indicated in the scenario and those are the tests you should concentrate on. Every item of evidence must have at least one (1) test requested, and most items should have more than one test selected. You may not request every test on every item of evidence, as this would not be allowed for a real-world forensic lab submission.
2. Discuss/explain [provide justification] why you selected this CCJS 301 laboratory analysis for each item of evidence. This means you only must provide an explanation for latent print analysis, firearms analysis, and each type of trace analysis.
3. Describe the various types of known samples/standards you would need to provide with the evidence being submitted to the laboratory. Utilize at least 2 outside resources/course material resources to defend your response.
4. Explain at least two challenges this crime scenario could present with evidence admissibility in a trial. Utilize at least 2 outside resources/course resources material to defend your response.
5. Discuss how the evidence admissibility challenges discussed in number 4 could be avoided. Utilize at least 2 outside resources/course resources material to defend your response.

Scenario and elements found at the scene of the crime

The crime scene itself was located inside a bedroom. The entrance door, from the hallway into the bedroom was located on the north wall of the room. Also on the north wall of the room, located on either side of the entrance door, are two closets. Both were searched and neither had any items that appeared to be evidence nor did they have any indications they were opened during the crime.

Along the east wall, moving from north to south, there was a nightstand, a bed that looks to be queen-sized, and a cardboard box, in the southeast corner of the room. On top of the nightstand was a lamp in the northeast corner, an alarm clock on the south side, and a TV remote on the west (front) edge. To the west of the nightstand (in front of it) and to the north of the bed was a firearm, determined to be a rifle, covered by a pillow. The pillowcase color light green was the same as the sheets on the bed. The pillow had a hole through it and had reddish-brown and black stains surrounding that hole. A closer examination of the rifle showed that the end of the barrel had at least two hairs and some white fibers.

On top of the bed was a deceased male. The male was wearing a red plain t-shirt and blue jeans. He had an Apple watch on his left wrist and a silver-colored small hoop earring in his left ear. He was not wearing any additional clothing or jewelry. The male was laying on his back, slightly canted towards his right side, with his left hand across his abdomen. His right arm was extended towards the east, beyond his head with his right hand opened. I also observed an apparent blood stain on the victim's right temple and to the north of the victim's head on the bed. Behind the victim's head, on the east wall, was a pattern of reddish-brown stains. Underneath the victim was a light green fitted sheet. To the north of the victim's right hip was an iPhone. To the south of the victim's head, against the east wall, was a pillow. At the west end of the bed (the foot of the bed), on the floor, was a light green top sheet and a green patterned comforter. The sheets and pillowcases were all the same color.

Along the south wall, moving from east to west, there was a cardboard box, a side table, a dresser, and another side table. The cardboard box was the same one that was described along the east wall, located in the southeast corner of the room. This cardboard box was empty. The dresser was flanked by two side tables, one on either side. Inside of each of the six drawers of the dresser was neat. The top westernmost drawer contained 3 baggies of white powder, 2 baggies of off-white powder, and a glass smoking pipe.

On top of the dresser was located a stereo on the east side, with one speaker to the east of the east side table and another to the west of the west side table. There was a lamp, which was on, the west side of the dresser, and in front of the lamp were three pens and one pencil. There was also a wallet, with a driver's license that matches the information given above for the victim, that contained 3 credit cards and $40 in cash, two $20 bills. There were also 65 cents in coins, one quarter, three dimes, and two nickels. On top of the west side table was a bottle of Smirnoff Vodka with a clear liquid inside and a clear and colorless drinking glass containing a clear liquid.

Along the west wall, moving from south to north, were a closed door, a TV stand, and a trash can. In the southwest corner of the room was a door leading to a bathroom. The bathroom was searched, however, it seemed undisturbed, and no evidence was discovered inside the bathroom. To the north of the bathroom door stood a TV stand. The TV was not powered on. The TV was a black in color flat screen TV, Samsung brand. On the shelf below the TV were a PlayStation 4, two PlayStation remotes, and a Nintendo Switch set. On the northeast corner of the top level of the TV stand was a piece of paper. In black ink was written, "You can run but you can't hide, guilty, guilty, guilty!" To the north of the TV, stand was a trash can. Inside the trash can was a crumpled-up piece of paper.

Evidence Collected:

1. iPhone, black in color, in black in color case
2. Victim's Body
3. Silver in color earing
4. Apple Watch
5. One (1) bolt action rifle, .308 caliber, Savage XP model, black in color synthetic stock, S/N A1234B
6. Pillow from floor
7. Pillow from bed
8. Fitted sheet from the bed, green in color
9. Pen #1, blue in color
10. Pen #2, red in color
11. Pen #3, green in color
12. Bottle of Smirnoff Vodka
13. Drinking glass containing a clear liquid
14. Three (3) baggies of white powder
15. Two (2) baggies of off-white powder
16. Smoking pipe, glass, blue and yellow swirls in color
17. Note from the TV stand
18. Crumpled-up paper from the trash can
19. Photographs of possible bloodstains above the victim's head

Listing of Available Forensic Analyses (Analyses that are in Bold with a * are applicable to CCJS 301):

1. Latent print analysis*
2. Firearms analysis*
3. Trace analysis: hairs*
4. Trace analysis: fibers*
5. Trace analysis: gunshot residue*
6. Bloodstain pattern analysis
7. Questioned document analysis
8. DNA analysis
9. Controlled dangerous substance analysis
10. Digital evidence analysis
11. Forensic Autopsy