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Case Study: Cow Creek Robbery
Scenario
At 20:13 Sunday evening, an emergency call was made by Mr White, the shop attendant of BC Petrol Station in Cow Creek, Western Australia, notifying police of an armed robbery. It was reported that two gunshots were fired and the offenders fled the scene in a car.
As a forensic investigator, you are required to conduct a thorough investigation of the scene following appropriate crime scene procedures.
Forensic Science Begins at the Crime Scene
Investigation of a crime scene can be divided into several stages:
1. Securing the crime scene
The first responders at the scene will use cordons or barriers to secure the area until specialist crime scene investigators arrive. This prevents unauthorised entry or possible contamination of the site.
2. Recording the scene
Before touching or collecting potential evidence, the scene must be thoroughly documented using sketches, photographs or video to capture its initial appearance. These permanent records may be requested in court to show where an item of evidence was found, or to prove that it has not been altered or tampered with.
3. Searching the scene and recognising useful evidence
Investigators will methodically search the scene to locate any potential evidence. This is not as easy as it sounds – imagine trying to sort through every single item in your house! Some evidence such as fingermarks may also need enhancement with physical or chemical techniques to be seen by the naked eye.
4. Collecting and preserving evidence Some evidence can be processed at the scene, but other items will need to be collected and sent to a laboratory for further analysis. This evidence must be placed in appropriate containers to prevent contamination or degradation during transport, and clearly labelled to ensure it can be correctly identified.
Crime Scene Simulation
You can access the “Hidden Evidence” simulation activity using the link: http://bit.ly/HiddenEvidence
In this activity, you will take on the role of a forensic investigator assigned to the scene of the petrol station robbery. Throughout the simulation, you must make choices about the equipment you take with you, the area that you will search, and how you record or collect potential evidence.
Consider carefully! Once you have taken an action, it cannot be undone.
When you have finished your investigation, submit your logbook to receive a performance evaluation from your Senior Sergeant.
There are several possible paths that can be taken in this simulation, resulting in different outcomes. In this workshop, we will discuss the different actions or decisions that can be taken, and the effects that these decisions might have in a real crime scene investigation.
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Guided Questions Consider the following questions as you proceed through the simulation. These questions will form the basis of a group discussion at the end of the activity.
1. What items of evidence did you collect from the crime scene?
2. What might be the potential value of each item of evidence in establishing links between the suspects and the crime scene?
3. What other types of evidence could potentially be available at the petrol station? Remember, not all evidence is apparent to the naked eye!
4. What effects could failing to follow appropriate crime scene procedures (such as improper recording or evidence collection) have on an investigation?
Extension Questions Below are some extra questions to consider. Remember, you can re-explore the simulation at any time!
1. On Monday morning, you receive a report that an abandoned car matching the description of that used by the offenders has been located a short distance from the petrol station. What evidence could potentially be recovered from the car to link it to the suspects and/or the crime scene?
2. You are a crime scene investigator who has failed to follow appropriate procedures for investigating a crime scene. What consequences might you face from your supervisors?
Online Resources The following websites provide further useful information related to this activity:
National Forensic Science Technology Center, Florida International University. Forensic Science Simplified [Internet]. A Simplified Guide to Crime Scene Investigation; 2013 [cited 2019 Feb 06]. Available from: http://www.forensicsciencesimplified.org/csi/index.htm.
Technical Working Group on Crime Scene Investigation. Crime Scene Investigation: A Guide for Law Enforcement [Internet]. U.S. Department of Justice; 2000 [cited 2019 Feb 06]. Available from: https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/about-us/lab/forensic-science-communications/fsc/april2000/twgcsi.pdf
Acknowledgements “Hidden Evidence: An Investigation Game” was developed by Professor Simon Lewis (School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University), Diana Taylor and Madelon Heperi (Faculty Learning Engagement Team for the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University) with input from Dr Georgina Sauzier (School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University). This activity is an Open Educational Resource (OER) licenced under the Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 AU).
This handout resource was developed by Dr Georgina Sauzier and Professor Simon Lewis.
This project was developed as part of a Learning Media Grant provided by the Office of the Dean of Teaching and Learning, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Curtin University.
