Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Forensics Evidence Analysis: Current Case

Part I - Find A Case

As we discussed in class, you will research and decide on a case currently developing or a current trial (as of the date of this post) in which there is significant physical evidence.

Prepare a one to two page case summary (text, images will be in addition to this) outlining the crimes committed and the known physical evidence. Be sure to cite ALL sources and show the use (and source) of ANYthing someone else wrote.


We modeled the format for the report in class today using an article relating the Laci / Stace Peterson cases as our example.

Part I Due Date: Friday, November 30, 2007, IN CLASS
Late reports will be lose one letter grade per day, including weekend days.


Part II - Same as last time -
(a) Your group will prepare a presentation (including some form of display) of the case and present it to the class. Presentations will be scheduled for Wednesdays beginning December 5th.

(b)Your group will split into two and will present to the jury (your classmates) a case for the prosecution and a case for the defense based on the physical evidence. Groups will present their cases (two groups per class) every Wednesday in November-December.

Re-Peterson: Deja Vu All Over Again

Stacy And Laci Peterson: The Eerie Similarities

(CBS) It's like deja vu all over again: This missing woman might not be pregnant, but the similarities in the Stacey Peterson and Laci Peterson cases are eerie at best... and not just because of their names.

LACI PETERSON

What the husband said: Scott said Laci took the dog for a walk.

Murder in the first: Police have been investigating whether a college student, Kristin Smart, who went to Cal Poly at the same time of Scott Peterson might have been murdered by him.

A watery grave: Police found the remains of Laci after they washed up in the San Francsico Bay. The remains of the couple's unborn son, Connor, washed up days before.

In the family way: Laci Rocha Peterson was eight months pregnant when she was killed on December 24, 2002.

I'm not guilty: Scott Peterson is on death row in San Quentin for the murder of Laci and their unborn child. He maintains his innocence.

Ironically: Laci's best friend, since third grade, was a woman named Stacey (Boyers.)

STACY PETERSON

What the husband said: Drew said Stacy left voluntarily.

Murder in the first: Police now think Drew Peterson might have had something to do with his third wife's (Kathleen Salvio) mysterious bathtub drowning.

A watery grave: Search crews are still looking for Stacy. They recently dredged a nearby lake but found nothing.

In the family way: Stacy Peterson had two children with her husband Drew when she was reported missing.

I'm not guilty: While he was officially called a "suspect" on November 9th for the October 28th dissapearance of his wife, Drew maintains his innocence.

Ironically: Stacy Peterson has a daughter named Lacey.