Cja 460 Signature

Nathan Dela Cruz

CJA 460

Professor Boggs

3-30-17

CJA 460 Signature Assignment

        Scenario 1: First, I would clear the area of any suspects. After safety concerns have been addressed, it is time to start preserving evidence and any other secondary concerns. Then I would start my preliminary assessment of the crime scene. Next, I will tape off the area and begin to mark all of the evidence in and around the crime scene. Also, while taking my field notes making sure not to disrupt the footprints and tire tracks I noticed as I pulled up to the scene. Finally, after gathering all of my preliminary information about the alleged victim, I can then provide notice of the crime to investigators and brief them about preliminary case-related matters that occurred at the scene.

        Scenario 2: All biological evidence would be priority. (1) The chewing gum would be at the top of the list. Since saliva is a bodily fluid, it can easily be cross-contaminated. It can also belong to the offender. (2) Finger prints, are the easiest ways to identify someone if they are in a database. (3) The wool cap containing hair is also can also aid in the DNA conviction of the perpetrator. (4) The cartridge casings might also have prints on them as well. (5) The footprints in the flowerbeds can be molded to match any reference samples that may come up later if a suspect is apprehended.

        Scenario 3: I would need to talk to any bystanders who were at the convenience store during the robbery. If there were none, my next step would be reviewing the videotapes from the stores CCTV. By reviewing the tapes, I can see if the offender touched anything and left any prints. Since most robbers prefer to victimize convenience stores in their general vicinity, I would canvas the area looking for someone who fits the match from the video. I could then start the follow-up investigation with the clerk who was shot to act on clues and leads that was not uncovered during the preliminary investigation.

        Scenario 4: Upon arriving on the scene, I check with the responding officer’s field notes. Look for any signs of forced entry. From there, I would do my own walk through to see if anything else was missed during the preliminary assessment. Since there was a note, I would have the crime scene technicians match it against the victim’s handwriting. I would then examine the body for any stippling which would be the case for some suicides. But if the stippling is less concentrated around the wound, the shot must have been further away making it a distant wound. Making it a case for murder.

        Scenario 5: First it would depend of the level of fence? Secondly, what illegal market is the suspect trying to approach with said stolen property? Take stolen cars as an example. Surveillance of high-theft lots and other areas where car break-ins are widespread can be implemented without high-cost equipment and or detailed panning. If the department has sufficient funding for appropriate technology, bait vehicles with cameras and laptops can also be used. The property can be tracked to various locations and persons conducting illegal activity can be apprehended.