Unit 3 Controlled Assessment Notes- from crime scene to courtroom. Has all assessment criteria with cases and evaluation (very detailed and predicted an A, over 60+ hours of work). Created using textbooks, class notes and the 2021 specification.
AC 1.2 (1.50)
Forensics and DNA
● Forensics= scientific tests/techniques
● Used connection with detection of crime
● Multiple scientific techniques+methods find, collect+preserve E
● Divided two categories: physical + biological
● Physical- Form of non-living e.g. Fingerprints, shoe and tire marks, fibres etc
● Biological- Organic Things e.g. blood, saliva, hair, semen etc
DNA
● Forensic technique-criminal investigations
● Collected by forensic scientists/specialists (ways to avoid contamination- sent lab for
analysis)
● Import/useful- provide solid E (used in court)
● Suspects profiles compared to DNA E (likelihood of their involvement)
● National DNA database-holds DNA profiles+samples select number of UK
individuals- (identifies suspects- 60% cases)
● Database help solve 37 murders + 103 rapes April-June 2013
● Useful sexual (physical E- fingerprints, bitemarks etc)
S:
● DNA found nearly every cell
● used identify v
● Prove guilt/innocence
● Trusted by juries- unique+reliable (lead to secure evidence)
● Cost recently dropped- £20 sample
Grenfeell tower (strength):
○ 72 people killed by fire
○ Limited physical E at scene
○ Extract DNA teeth-used identify v
Rachel Nickell (strength):
○ Help solve cold cases + bring justice
○ DNA sample from body linked Robert Napper to murder
○ Led to conviction- 16 yrs later
Colette Aram:
● DNA from relatives have many similarities
○ CA murdered before DNA established as investigative tecnique
○ Forensics developed- scientists built up DNA sample from scene+local pub O visited
after attack
○ DNA profile enabled conviction-Paul Hutchinson 26 yrs later
○ Relative DNA sample taken following driving offence
W:
● To secure match with sample from scene-perpetrator must be on Nation DNA
Database
, ● Infringement civil liberties- DNA profiles stored from people who are innocent
● E not collected properly- cross contamination (miscarriages of justice)
Adam Scott:
○ charged rape in Manchester- never been
○ DNA mix up lab- despite warnings 2 weeks earlier
○ Misscarriage of justice- Human error
○
Amanda Knox:
○ Misscarriage of justice- contamination
○ AK+BF Raffaele Sollecito convicted murder- Meredith Kercher
○ Main E- DNA on murder weapon+clasp on V’s bra (found several weeks later)
○ Lawyers argued procedures weren’t followed+contamination could’ve occured
○ almost 4 yrs prison- acquitted “stunning flaws” in investigation that led to conviction
David Butler:
● Can falsely implicate person
○ charged murder of prostitute Anne Marie-partial DNA match
○ His DNA found under V’s nails- taxi driver, possible he’d taken passenger to where V
worked
○ dry skin condition meant DNA was easily transferred
○ Lawyers showed jury procedures used to obtain DNA unreliable+E poor quality
○ Acquitted of murder
Overall Judgement:
● Useful technique- secure convictions (prove innocence/guilt)
● transformed investigations (linking person- crime scene)
● Room for human error (cross contamination)- unlikely if E/crime scene handled
correctly
● National DNA database-identify suspects 60% of cases- may have gone cold
● Useful violent- physical E (identify suspect/use in court)
● property crime- collection of physical+biological evidence- find suspects +identify V
Surveillance
● keeping close watch over something/someone
● E.g. police body cams, neighbourhood watch,unmarked police cars, Dash Cams,
mobile phones, undercover police officers etc
● 4 types:Overt, covert, direct+ intrusive
● Overt surveillance- equipment intentionally placed- highly visible/know your being
watched e.g. CCTV
● useful tools of modern policing- investigative technique- 1st port of call
S/W
● Permanent images crime being committed (Useful-filming 24 hrs)
● Deterrent- eg. staring eyes- Newcastle Uni study- reduced bike theft 62%
● Often static- don't follow people movements (criminals can avoid them/ disguise
themselves)
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