Crime Scene In MotionCrime Scene In Motion

University of AlabamaScience In Motion

Joint TrainingForensic Science

Julie Covin Beth Sherrill Lorrie RobinsonPhysics Chemistry Biology

Scenario: A well to do student from a private

school has been reported missing. The police released the names of the suspects that were questioned and a newspaper reporter provided its readers with a brief description of each of the suspects.

This activity is based on Theta Technologies Crime Scene 2,

Kidnapped, the Case of Dr. John Boddy

Abducted:Jason Worth.Age 18, son of

millionaire.Last seen at school after

French class.Was to have been picked

up by the family chauffeur.

FBI has been alerted due to threats against the family during the last month.

Suspects

Joey “Two Thumbs” Russo Miss AvoirdupoisReputed leader of the local crime organization. Never convicted of any crime, he is proud of his group’sgrowth.

Jason’s French teacher and the last person to see him alive. Parking tickets from near the Café Bistro are her only police incidents. When questioned about her movements, she commented, “ It’s no body’s business but mine.”

Bill Blascome

Buddy St. Louise

Highly respected servant of the Worth family for almost 25 years. He was to have picked Jason up from school.

Noted philanderer and owner of Café Bistro located near Jason’s downtown school. His real name is Bartholomew Stanton. Has been married and divorced 10 times.

Jose Sanchez-Diaz

Recently dismissed from Worth Museum for Union organizing. His attorney states that he is under a doctor’s care for Stressful Stress syndrome. A lawsuit is pending regarding the job dismissal.

Evidence

A piece of a shirt supposedly worn by the victim arrived

with a note.

An oily spot believed to be suntan lotion was noted on the shirt. A reddish stain, not

resembling blood, was also noted.

Shirt cutting sent with note.

Fiber analysis

The fibers that compose the shirt were examined.

These were compared to clothing of the kidnapped student and of suspects.

Oily spot

This was thought to be suntan lotion. It

will be analyzed using a

spectrophotometer.

Swatch of shirt with oily spot

Red Stain

This stain did not test positive for human blood. Preliminary tests indicate the stain was caused by wine. It will be tested using gas chromatography.

Swatch of shirt with red stain.

A noteA ransom note contained in a hand addressed envelope was received by a reporter.

The letters were cut from pieces of newspaper.

A fingerprint was detected on the note.

Fingerprint analysisComparison of the unique fingerprint on the paper can isolate suspects and rule out others. Do you notice the differences?

10 points of commonality will be needed to make a positive

identification.

Chromatography of the inks and ink colors helps to narrow the source of the ink used to address the envelope.

Ink analysis

Ink from envelope

Ink from suspect’s pens

Paper analysis

A comparison of the paper fibers, bond type, andthickness, will show similarities and differences.

This is used to determine the blood types of the suspects and also the

victim. Known specimens are compared to

the sample sent by kidnappers.

Blood analysis

Blood typingcan be used to quickly eliminatesome suspects.

DNA analysis isused to differentiatebetween individualswith the sameblood type.

Your tasks:Complete the analysis using:

•gas chromatography of suspected wine•Spectrophotometry of suntan lotion

•blood typing•fingerprint analysis

•fiber analysis of shirt fabric

•paper chromatography of inks

•fiber analysis of envelope paper

It will then be up to you to

complete the

guilty party or

puzzle and bring the

parties to justice.

Data Analysis

Results of Fiber Test

Match

Results of Blood test

Results of Paper test

Match

Match

Sample of evidence shirt matches Jason’s school shirts.

Samples of blood sent by kidnappersmatches Jason’s blood type.

Samples of paper match stationary found at the residence of Bill Blascome.

Results of ink test

Results of fingerprint test

Match

Match

Ink from the envelope matches ink from pens found at the Café Bistro (where Miss Avoirdupois and Buddy St. Louise are often sighted) AND also matches a pen found in Bill Blascome’s room.

The fingerprint from the ransom noteis a match to Bill Blascome.

Match

Results of spectrophotometer test

Results of gas chromatography analysis

MatchWine stain analysis shows a match to wine found at the Café Bistro AND also to the Ft. Worth Country Club.

The suntan lotion (SPF 30) matchedthe stain on the shirt swatch sent by the kidnappers and to the backseat of Bill Blascome’s personal car.

For whom will arrest warrants be issued??

?

We hope that you have seen some of theMany applications of this type of activityFor your students. The kit may be purchased And used alone, or with some imaginationYou may add other crime scene tools thatWill bring the investigation to life.

The equipment provided by Alabama ScienceIn Motion can be a powerful tool for studentmotivation. We urge you to take full advantageof this valuable learning program.

AcknowledgementsThe presenters gratefully acknowledge theassistance and contributions of the followingindividuals, businesses, and schools. Their help enabled us to make this presentationpossible.

Brannon’s Business Supply, Sylacauga, AL

Science Kit by Boreal

Larry BanowskyAlabama Science in Motion – University of Montevallo Inservice Area

Acknowledgements

University of Montevallo, Montevallo ALB. B. Comer Memorial High School, Sylacauga, AL Homewood High School, Homewood, AL Hoover High School, Hoover, AL Jemison High School, Jemison, ALMunford High School, Munford, ALSylacauga High School, Sylacauga, ALTalladega High School, Talladega, ALThompson High School, Alabaster, ALVestavia High School, Vestavia, AL

Acknowledgements

Rebecca Richardson, ASIM van driver

FRIEND

motivational coach

Mentor

fearless leader

Thanks, Rebecca for all you do for us.

Crime technicians

Paper chromatography analysis of ink from the ransom note.Crime technician: Brenda Rinehart

Gas chromatography analysis of red stain Crime technicians: Peggy Downing

Blood analysis from specimen sent by kidnappers.Crime technicians: Ramona Jones and Leslie Wright

Fingerprint analysis from all suspects and all evidence.Crime technician: Dianne Batson

Fiber and paper analysis of evidence.Crime technician: Roger Bittinger

Spectrophotometry of oily spot believed to be suntan lotion.Crime technicians: Tommy Lenoir and

Kelly Reaves

Lab Director: Rocky White

Thank you for your participation. It is our hope that you will try this type of

activity with your own students.