WK2 DISCUSSION QUESTION

Crime Scene 1 On the afternoon of June 14, 2008, a fisherman found the body of a female along the shore of a river. He immediately called the police, and the dispatcher instructed the fisherman not to touch the body. Law enforcement agents were at the crime scene within a few minutes. Evidence: Footprints: There are two footprints near the body. This might be important evidence to link a suspect to the scene of the crime. However, it is not beneficial to the profiler in the beginning stages of the investigation. A woman’s purse: There is a purse near the victim’s body. While this evidence might be useful in tying a suspect to the crime scene, it will not help the profiler create a profile of the murderer. By examining the contents of the bag, investigators identified the victim as a 21-year-old white college student. This might be important information in further investigations when meeting the victim's friends, classmates, and teachers and when trying to determine the motive for the murder. Also, the victim's driving license is missing. This evidence might not be important at this point but could be important later in the investigation. Body was moved: It appears that the victim’s body was dragged into place. This is an important piece of information that helps the profiler determine whether the murderer is an organized or disorganized offender. Lacerations on the neck: There are swollen marks around the victim's neck, which indicates that the victim probably was strangled to death, most likely with a belt. Although this evidence is important in identifying the cause of death, missing this evidence would not be detrimental to the profile because an autopsy would reveal that the cause of death was strangulation. Sexual assault: The victim was sexually assaulted. This is a critical piece of evidence for the profiler. Knowing that the victim was sexually assaulted provides some insight about the type of murderer on the loose. Moreover, knowing that the victim was sexually assaulted while alive, and not post-mortem, helps to determine the typology of the murderer. Belt near body: While this evidence might be useful in tying a suspect to the crime scene, it will not help the profiler create a profile of the murderer. Soda can near the body: While this evidence might be useful in tying a suspect to the crime scene, it will not help the profiler create a profile of the murderer. Body near a river: The victim's body was found near the river. This evidence might not be important at this point but could be important later in the investigation. Tire tracks: There are tire tracks on the road near the victim. The tire tracks appear to be consistent with that of an old pickup truck. While this evidence might be useful in tying a suspect to the crime scene, it will not help the profiler create a profile of the murderer. You have collected all the evidence. Please proceed to the next crime scene.