Name: ______Due Date: ______
Objective: For this project, you will create a short presentation, of a real-life criminal investigation. You will fully research a case study of your choosing and present to the class the case details, evidence and forensic techniques that have helped solve or best understand the case. Please refer to the rubrics and guides for grading information. Follow the steps below to finish this assignment:
Choose a case study: You will be provided with a list of possible case studies at It is important to pick a case that not only interests you but one that you are also comfortable with researching and presenting in front of the class.
The case may be recent or older, solved or unsolved, and a crime of any nature. All of these details; however, should be indicated in the report sheet, as well as described during the presentation.
The case must include aspects of forensic science in attempting to solve the crime. This includes evidence such as fingerprints, hair, blood, DNA, fibers and testimony.
Research your case: You may use the Internet, newspapers, textbooks, and Mrs. Custer’s personal forensic books to research your case. As a class, we will spend two days with the laptop carts. Remember, all work must be your own. Please, do not plagiarize and remember to cite your sources, using APA citations.
To help you organize your research, I will provide you with a report frame included in the packet. The frame should be turned in at the completion of the project before the start of the presentations. If you do not turn in your report frame, you will not be permitted to present.
Design your presentation: You must create a PowerPoint and email it to by 12 pm on March 6th at
Presenters:. You will be given 3 timed minutes to present your case.
Audience: As a member of the classroom, you are expected to give your classmates your full attention and respect. With each presentation, you should be taking notes. There will be an assessment that will contain 2-3 questions about each case.
Possible Case Studies
Odontology
Ted Bundy
Carmine Calabro
Crime Scene
Jon Benet Ramsey
Enrique Camarena
Anthropology
John Wayne Gacy
Richard Crafts
Physical Evidence
Green River Killer
Gerald Wallace Murder
Center City Rapist
Wayne Bertram Williams
Document Analysis
Unabomber
Anthrax Attacks
Fingerprints
Night Stalker – Richard Ramirez
Stella Nickell
Mayfield Affair
Hamm Kidnapping
Toxicology
Tylenol Deaths in 1982
Joann Curley
Georgi Markov
Pablo Escobar
Jascalevich Trial
Marie LaFarge
Eva Rablen
Microscope Use
Lindbergh Baby
Serology
Sam Sheppard
Ludwig Tessnow
DNA
OJ Simpson
Colin Pitchfork
Elizabeth Smart
West Memphis 3
Hair/Fibers
Jeffrey MacDonald
Central Park Jogger
Wayne Williams
Ennis Cosby
Laci Peterson
Autopsy
Casey Anthony Trial
Mary Pinchot Meyer
Ballistics
St. Valentines Day Massacre
Sacco and Vanzetti
Guideline/Scoring Rubric
4 / 3 / 2 / 1 / 0Research Report Sheet / All sections complete / 1 sections incomplete / 2 sections incomplete / 3 sections incomplete / 4 or more sections incomplete
Creative Title / Present – 2 points / Absent – 0 points
Victim (s) / Present – 2 points / Absent – 0 points
Suspect (s) / Present – 2 points / Absent – 0 points
Case Outcome / Explained in full detail / Explained but some details missing / Many details missing, not sure of outcome / Not explained
3 pieces of evidence / 3 discussed / 2 discussed / 1 discussed / No evidence discussed
Class or Evidence / 3 pieces are identified / 2 pieces are identified / 1 piece are identified / No evidence is identified
Specialist who examined evidence / Present – 2 points / Absent – 0 points
Analytical technique used / Present – 2 points / Absent – 0 points
3 pictures / 3 pictures / 2 pictures / 1 picture / No pictures
APA citations / 3 citations / 2 citations / 1 citation / No citations
Presentation / Colorful,Visually appealing and neatly organized
No obvious spelling or punctuation errors / Colorful,Visually appealing and neatly organized
OR
3-4 obvious spelling or punctuation errors / Colorful,Visually appealing but not organized
OR
7+ spelling or punctuation errors / Not appealing (black & white)
Not organized
AND
7+ spelling or punctuation errors
Name: ______
Research Report Sheet
Title of Case: ______
Who was involved in the case?
Victim(s):
______
Suspect (s)/ Accused:
______
Case Details: Summarize in at a minimum of 5 sentences
____________
Evidence available (be specific – don’t just say “fingerprints, hair, gun powder residue” – describe what makes the evidence unique to the case) PLEASE state is it INDIVIDUAL or CLASS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
One Specialists AND Analytical technique highlighted in the case (ex: DNA fingerprinting, dusting powders for fingerprints, microscopic analysis – techniques involve learning more about the evidence than meets the eye or finding evidence in a special way)
______
Outcome/Result of the Case (what piece of evidence “sealed the deal”?)
______
Notes/Other Relevant Facts
______
Research – APA Citations used (wikipedia does not count as a source)
1.
2.
3.
4.
Content / 4 – Above & Beyond / 3 – Well done, needs minor improvements / 2 – Lacking in obvious ways / 1 – Minimal EffortResearch Report Sheet / All content is accurate. There are no factual errors
All content requested on framework sheet is present / All content is accurate; however may not be relevant
Missing 2 items or less on report sheet / Content is mostly accurate, with few minor discrepancies
Missing 3-4 items on report sheet / Content is mostly inaccurate or irrelevant
Missing 5 or more items on report sheet
Research Presented
· Title
· Victims
· Suspects
· Case outcome
· 2 pieces of evidence
· 1 technique
· 1 picture / All content is described during the presentation
All content is accurate / 1-2 items are note described during the presentation
OR
1 piece of information described is inaccurate / 2-3 items not described during presentation
OR
2 pieces of information are inaccurate / 4 of more items are not described
OR
2 or more pieces of information are inaccurate
Presentation Professionalism
· Clarity
· Speaking Voice / Items described in clear (understandable manner)
Very knowledgeable about case
Loud and controlled speaking voice / Most items described in a clear (understandable manner)
Few um’s, like’s but other wise controlled speaking voice
Knowledgeable about the case / Items not described in clear cohesive manner
Many um’s, pauses
Inaudible speaking voice
Seems unfamiliar with case / Unprofessional speaking voice
Seems unknowledgeable about topic, unfamiliar with case
Presentation
· Visually eye catching
· Spelling/
punctuation / Colorful and neatly organized
No obvious spelling or punctuation errors / Colorful and neatly organized
OR
3-4 obvious spelling or punctuation errors / Visually appealing but not organized
OR
7+ spelling or punctuation errors / Not appealing and not organized
AND
7+ spelling or punctuation errors