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Murder-at-Prospect-Cove-A-Crime-Scene-Investigation

Page history last edited by coylem@... 14 years, 1 month ago

 

Murder at Prospect Cove

A Crime Scene Investigation

 

 

Question:  How is the science of physical geology used in real world applications? 

 

Overview:  The purpose of this lab is to apply the skills learned in Section 3 (Rocks and Minerals) of Unit 4 (The Geosphere) while exploring the science of forensic geology.  Students will analyze trace evidence samples (mineral, rock, other) found at a crime scene.  They will then apply their knowledge of geologic properties (color, hardness, luster, crystal shape and size) and use deductive reasoning to identify a likely suspect in the crime.

 

Materials:

  • Evidence bag with samples from each suspect
  • Victim Evidence slide
  • Magnifying glass
  • Dissecting Microscope
  • Microscope ruler

 

Case #485:  A male victim was discovered at Prospect Cove, a popular beach known for its unique sand, on Thursday Feb. 5 at approximately 6:19 am by a female jogger.  The deceased was found face down in the sand, stabbed numerous times including a fatal wound through the carotid artery which led to his death, according to the autopsy.  Several defensive wounds on the hands indicate that there was a struggle.  The murder weapon has not been retrieved.  No biological evidence, other than the victim’s blood, was found at the scene.  No finger prints were located.  Several indistinguishable footprints leading towards and away from the crime scene were noted.  Size and make were not distinguishable. 

The only substantial evidence in the case is trace evidence found on and in the victim’s clothing including sand, dirt, and other unknown substances.

Suspects:

All suspects have been questioned about their relationship to the victim, their whereabouts during the murder (alibi), and what they know about the incident.  While some suspects accused others of having a motive, little valuable information was obtained.  During questioning detectives found samples of what appeared to be sand on each of the suspects, in shoe treads, on clothing, and attached to other belongings.  Several of the suspects indicated that they had recently visited a beach; however none admitted to being at Prospect Cove in the past 12 months.

 

Background and Potential Suspects:

1.     Victim’s wife, recently took out a large life insurance policy on the victim

2.     Victim’s business partner A, stands to take over business upon victim’s death

3.     Victim’s business partner B, lost the company millions of dollars in fraudulent business decisions.

4.     Victim’s business consultant, recently provided advice that led to bad business decisions and the loss of millions of dollars.

5.     Victim’s secretary, no alibi for time of the murder

6.     Victim’s personal assistant, had access to inside personal and business information

7.     Victim’s step-son, had a recent falling out with the victim

 

Task:  Analyze the 7 samples of evidence found on the suspects.  Each bag contains samples which should not be opened or contaminated in any way.  They are labeled with numbers 1-7 which match with the suspect numbers above.  Your goal is to match one of the 7 samples with the sample taken from the victim’s clothing.  A positive match would place one or more of the suspects at the crime scene and could potentially prove to be important evidence in the case.  None of the 7 admitted to being at Prospect Cove and any match would prove the suspect lied to investigators. 

 Analyze each sample and enter notes on the data in the table below copied into your notes:

 

 

COLOR

GRAIN SIZE

SHAPE

LUSTER

  1. Wife

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Partner 1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Partner 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.     Consultant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.     Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Assistant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Step-son

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trace Evidence Found on Victim (this information will be matched to one of the above suspects)

Victim

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Color: what color(s) is the sample

Grain Size: use the tiny rulers on the dissecting microscopes

Crystal Shape: which geologic shape are the crystals, use proper geometric terms

Luster: the “sheen” of the substance or how it reacts to light

 

Questions:

1.  Compare the data for each suspect to the sample found on the victim.  Does one of the pieces of evidence best match with the victim?

 

2. Which property best helped you identify the prime suspect and eliminate all others?

 

3. Write a brief hypothetical overview of the events that took place on the evening of Thursday Feb. 4th.

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