Criminal Investigation - Case Study

TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION

CODE: CMJ2223

LECTURER: LESHAUN CHARLES

CASE STUDY QUESTION 2

SCENARIO: Three Chicago Socialites were murdered in Starved Rock State Park, Illinois. All

three women had fractured skulls. Their bodies, bound with twine, were found in a cave. Near

the bodies of the women, a bloodied tree limb was found and considered to be the murder

weapon. Because all three women had been staying at a nearby lodge, the staff of the lodge was

questioned. Chester Weger, a 21-year-old dishwasher at the lodge, was asked about a blood

stain on his coat. He said it was animal blood. He agreed to take a lie detector test and passed it.

He was requestioned and took a second lie detector test and passed it as well. The blood was

examined by the state crime lab and found to be animal blood as Weger had indicated at

questioning. The case reached a dead end.

Investigators decided to revisit the evidence. The rope used to bind the women was examined

more carefully. It was found to be 20-stranded twine sold only at Starved Rock State Park.

Identical twine was found in an area accessible to Weger. He again became a prime suspect. The

blood on his coat was re-examined by the FBI Crime Lab and found to be human and

compatible with the blood of one of the victims. Weger submitted to another lie detector test and

failed it. Weger was found guilty of the murder of one of the women, Lillian Oetting, and has

spent more than 45 years in prison. He petitioned the Governor of Illinois for clemency, saying

he was beaten and tortured into making the confession. He still maintains his innocence.

Instruction:

1. Identify the type of crime and the stages of the investigation in this case.

2. Discuss all of the biological evidence issues of the samples in this scenario. Explain a

possible issue/theory with sample taking as to why the blood on Weger’s shirt was first

considered to be animal blood. Also discuss further biological evidence or sample taking that

could have been considered.

3. Discuss the appropriate professionals that were/are suitable to examine this case.

4. Discuss the procedures of investigating this type of crime and if the investigators in the case

properly followed a proper procedure.

(Total marks: 12 marks)