Take Home Midterm Case Study due on February 24th
For this project, you will create a report which relates forensic science applications discussed in
class to a real-life criminal investigation. Please refer to the rubrics and guides for grading
information. This take home exam provides evidence of the extent to which you have mastered and
synthesizes the course material and have met course objectives. For this project, you and your partner will
select from a number of live demonstrations and will then select a case that used this type of evidence Each
of you will create a report which relates forensic science applications discussed in class to a real-life criminal
investigation. You and a partner will fully research a case study of your choosing and report the case details,
evidence and forensic techniques that have helped solve or better understand the case. The case must
include aspects of forensic science that were used to solve the crime. This includes evidence such as
fingerprints, hair, testimony and other topics. You will fully research a case study of your choosing and
present to the class the case details, evidence and forensic techniques that helped solve or helped
investigators understand the case. You will also use the available demonstrative tools to illustrate how the
evidence was used and conduct a demonstration, teaching these methods to the entire class
Follow the steps below to finish this assignment:
 Choose which live demonstrations you want to do
 Choose a case study: I have provided a list of possible case studies to choose from. It is
important to pick a case that not only interests you but one that you are also comfortable
with researching. Your project will be judged by the thoroughness of your research.
 You may choose to use a video as the basis your case study from a non-fiction TV
program. If you use a video as the basis for your research, it must be a full episode (more
than 35 minutes) on your specific case, not a more general forensics video. If you use a
video, you must also analyze the accuracy of this information, compared to the actual
case files. Series that have appropriate videos include, but are not limited to:
 Investigation Discovery
 NBC News dateline
 ABC 20/20
 YouTube search: true crime documentary full episodes (must be over 35
minutes)
o You can still choose a case study even if there is no video on it, but you will need
to find materials that include the forensic evidence and how it was evaluated and
used to solve the crime and convict the perpetrator.
 ALL reports must cite at least three reliable sources (NOT Wikipedia), only one of which
may be the video.
 The case may be recent or older, but it must have been solved. It can be a crime of any
nature. All of these details should be indicated in the report sheet.
 The case must include aspects of forensic science in attempting to solve the crime. This
includes evidence such as fingerprints, hair, testimony and other topics.
 Each student must choose a different case.
Case Study Midterm Presentation – Your presentation needs to be focused around your visual aids. Do
not just read your slides. The visual aid must be a major portion of your presentation. An awesome visual
aid will receive 100 points. An awesome visual aid will contain but not limited to: pictures, diagrams, a
timeline, etc. Just typing in bullet statements into ppt. will not earn you 100 points. Overview of
assignment requirements.
State your source.
Crime Layout – 1. Describe the suspects behavior leading up to the crime.
(Timeline) Premeditated
Heat of Passion
What events led to the suspect to commit the crime?
A psychological profile 10 pts
2. Details of the crime.
Layout the events that took place during the crime.
Layout the evidence left at the scene and other
evidence that was pertinent to the crime. 10pts
Focus on
the science Use your knowledge from this class to explain the science
in your discussion behind the forensic evidence. 25 pts
& presentation!
What good things did collectors do at the crime scene?
What mistakes did collectors make at the crime scene?
(Preservation of Evidence) 10 pts
3. Events and behavior of suspect after the crime.
How did they make their getaway?
Did they do anything to cover up the crime? 5pts
Finding the How was the suspect found?
suspect – State how the evidence lead them to the suspect.
What successes did they have that lead to apprehending
the suspect?
What things hindered the case and may have given false
lead away from the suspect? 10 pts
The trial – The prosecution – How did the prosecution make their case.
What mistakes did the prosecution make. 10 pts
The defense – Did they plead guilty or innocent?
How did the defense try and dispute the forensic
evidence?
What was the defenses overall plan. 10 pts
Other info – How has science (technology) changed since this crime?
How would new technology effected this trial or outcome? 5pts
Your opinion – State your opinion on guilty or innocent. State your opinion on their
sentence. What would you have done differently?
Any other interesting info. 5 pts
total = 100 pts
Name________________________ please circle selection
Forensic Science Case Study Project Suggestion List—make your
selections in the Moodle Room 10/3-10/26
This is a list of possible ideas for the Forensic Science Case Study Project. Feel free to choose
from this list or research others. You may further research a serial killer. A quick Google search
will reveal many more. Another excellent list of cases is
http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/complete_list.html
Albert DeSalvo Marilyn Monroe
Amanda Knox Mark Winger
Anthrax Mailing Medgar Evers
Aaron Hernandez Menendez Brothers
Brinks Robbery Michael Jackson
BTK Killer Oklahoma Bombings
Casey Anthony trial PanAm flight 103 Lockerbie Bombing
Central Park 5 Paul Bernardo
Charles Chi-Tai Ng Pedro Lopez
Charles Manson Richard Crafts
Colin Ross Sacco-Vanzetti
Coral Eugene Watts Selena
Craig’s List Killer St. Valentine’s Day Massacre
Elizabeth Smart Ted Bundy
Georgi Markov The “Ice Man”
Hamm Kidnapping The Coors Kidnapping
Harvey Milk The Green River Killer
Heath Ledger The Lindbergh Kidnapping
Jeffrey MacDonald The Night Stalker
Jessica Lunsford/ John Couey The Sam Sheppard Case
The Stielow Case
John Lennon murder Travon Martin/ George Zimmerman
John Wayne Gacy Troy Davis
Jon Bennet Ramsey Twin Tower Bombings 1993
Kurt Cobain Unabomber
Laci Peterson murder West Memphis 3
Name __________________________ Date _____________________
Forensic Science Case Study Report Sheet
Case Study Midterm Presentation – Your presentation needs to be focused around your visual aid. Do not just
read your slides. The visual aid must be a major portion of your presentation. An awesome visual aid will
receive 100 points. An awesome visual aid will contain but not limited to: pictures, diagrams, a timeline, etc.
Just typing in bullet statements into ppt. will not earn you 100 points.
Title of Case: _______________________________________________________________
Who was involved in the case?
Victim(s):
Suspect(s)/ Accused:
Case Details: Summarize the case in 2-3 paragraphs using full sentences.
Include in your discussion of the Details of the crime. 10pts
Layout the events that took place during the crime.
Layout the evidence left at the scene and other evidence that was pertinent to the crime.
Crime Layout – 1. Describe the suspects behavior leading up to the crime. 10 pts
(Timeline) Premeditated
Heat of Passion
What events led to the suspect to commit the crime?
A psychological profile
Events and behavior of suspect after the crime. 5pts
How did they make their getaway?
Did they do anything to cover up the crime?
Testimonial evidence
The trial – The prosecution – How did the prosecution make their case.
What mistakes did the prosecution make. 10 pts
(who testified; what type of witnesses were they (eyewitness; expert; corroborative; character)
The defense – Did they plead guilty or innocent?
How did the defense try and dispute the forensic evidence?
What was the defenses overall plan. 10 pts
(who testified; what type of witnesses were they (eyewitness; expert; corroborative; character)
Physical Evidence
(include the type of evidence and how it links the perpetrator to the crime or how it helped
police solve the case. Be specific: Don’t just say “fingerprints, hair, gun powder residue”-
describe what makes the evidence unique to the case. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT
SECTION OF YOUR REPORT. BE AS DETAILED AS POSSIBLE!):
Focus on
the science Use your knowledge from this class to explain the science
in your discussion behind the forensic evidence. 25 pts
& presentation!
What good things did collectors do at the crime scene?
What mistakes did collectors make at the crime scene?
(Preservation of Evidence) 10 pts
Finding the How was the suspect found?
suspect – State how the evidence lead them to the suspect. 10 pts
What successes did they have that lead to apprehending
the suspect?
What things hindered the case and may have given false
lead away from the suspect?
Outcome/Results of case (including sentence and current status of perpetrator):
Notes/ Other Relevant Facts:
Other info – How has science (technology) changed since this crime?
How would new technology effected this trial or outcome? 5pts
Your opinion – State your opinion on guilty or innocent. State your opinion on their
sentence. What would you have done differently?
Any other interesting info. 5 pts
total = 100 pts
Resources- list of URLs/ books/ articles/ video used: (At least 5; court file; only one video; no
Wikipedia)
***THE FINAL TYPED REPORT MUST CONTAIN ALL THE ABOVE AND
WRITTEN IN PARAGRAPH FORM!!!!!!!
PRESENTATION RUBRIC
CONTENT 4- Outstanding
“Above & Beyond”
3- Satisfactory
“Well done, needs
minor
improvements”
2-Developing
“Lacking in obvious
way/s”
1-Limited
“Minimal Effort”
Research Report
Sheet
 Depth of research
 Accuracy of Content
 Forensic science relation
-All content is
accurate. There are
no factual errors.
-All content
requested on sheet
is present
-All content is
related to forensic
science
-All content is
accurate; however,
may not be relevant
-Missing 2 items or
less on report sheet
-Forensic science
content apparent
-Content is mostly
accurate, with few
minor discrepancies
– Missing 3-4 items
on report sheet
-Forensic science
content not
obviously apparent
-Content is mostly
inaccurate or
irrelevant
-Missing 5 or more
items on report
sheet.
-Content not
relatable to forensic
science
Research Presented
 Title
 Victims, suspects
 Case summary, outcome
 Minimum 2 pieces of
evidence
 Minimum 1 technique
 Minimum 2 pictures
-All content is
described during
presentation
-All content
described is
accurate
-1-2 items not
described during
presentation or
-1 piece of
information
described is
inaccurate
-2-3 items not
described during
presentation or
-2 pieces of
information are
inaccurate
-4 or more items
not described or
-2 or more pieces of
information
inaccurate
Presentation
Professionalism
 Clarity
 Speaking voice
-Items described in
clear
(understandable)
manner
-Very
knowledgeable
about case
-Loud and
controlled speaking
voice (smooth
transitions, no um’s
or long pauses)
-Most items
described in a clear
(understandable
manner)
-Few um’s, like’s
but otherwise
controlled speaking
voice
-Knowledgeable
about case
-Items not
described in clear,
cohesive manner
-Many um’s, pauses
-Inaudible speaking
voice
-Seems unfamiliar
with case
-Unprofessional
speaking voice,
presentation
-Seems
unknowledgeable
about topic,
unfamiliar with case
Presentation Method
 Visual used is eyecatching and neat
 Spelling/Punctuation
-Quality visual used,
colorful,
professional
looking, neat
-No obvious spelling
or punctuation
errors
-Visually appealing
presentation
method, mostly
professional
-Some obvious
spelling/punctuatio
n errors (3-5)
-Not visually
appealing or eyecatching, sloppy
-7+ errors in
spelling/punctuation
-Overwhelmingly
not visually
appealing, method
not present or 7+
errors in
spelling/punctuation
Overall Presentation
The presenter
displayed little
knowledge and
understanding of the
components of
assignment.
The presenter did not
seem comfortable
with the information
and needed a lot of
outside Helpance in
getting through the
presentation
A good presentation.
The presentation did
not always keep my
interest.
An outstanding
presentation. The
presentation kept my
interest and was
among the very best
in class.
Name Case______________________
CJI 210 Case Study Midterm Paper and Presentation – Your presentation needs to be focused around your
visual aids. Do not just read your slides. The visual aid must be a major portion of your presentation. An
awesome visual aid will receive 100 points. An awesome visual aid will contain but not limited to: pictures,
diagrams, a timeline, etc. Just typing in bullet statements into ppt. will not earn you 100 points.
Overview of assignmentrequirements.
State your sources. Resources- list of URLs/ books/ articles/ video used: (At least 5; court file; only one
video; no Wikipedia)
Details
Crime Layout
– (Timeline)
1. Describe the
suspects’ behavior
leading up to the
crime.
Premeditated
Heat of Passion
What events led to the suspect to commit the crime?
A psychological profile 10 pts
Focus on the
science in
your
discussion &
presentation
2. Details of the
crime.
Layout the events that took place during the crime.
Layout the evidence left at the scene and other evidence that was
pertinent to the crime. 10pts
Use your knowledge from this class to explain the science behind
the forensic evidence. 25 pts
What good things did collectors do at the crime scene? What
mistakes did collectors make at the crime scene?
(Preservation of Evidence) 10pts 10 pts
Finding the
suspect
3. Events and
behavior of the
suspect after the
crime.
How did they make their getaway?
Did they do anything to cover up the crime? 5pts
State how the evidence led them to the suspect.
Whatsuccesses did they have that lead to apprehending the
suspect?
What things hindered the case and may have given false lead
away from the suspect?10 pts
The Trial The prosecution – How did the prosecution make their case.
What mistakes did the prosecution make. (who testified; what
type of witnesses were they (eyewitness; expert;
corroborative; character) 10 pts
The defense – Did they plead guilty or innocent?
How did the defense try and dispute the forensic evidence?
What was the defenses overall plan. (who testified; what type
of witnesses were they (eyewitness; expert; corroborative;
character) 10 pts
Other info Outcome/Results of case (including sentence and current status of
perpetrator)
How hasscience (technology) changed since this crime?
How would new technology effected this trial or outcome?5pts 5pts
Your Opinion State your opinion on guilty or innocent. State your opinion
on their sentence. What would you have done differently?
Any other interesting info. 5 pts 5 pts
Total 100

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