Paper Example on 4 Types of Evidence in Ramsey Case: Physical, Doc., Expert, DNA

Introduction

Four types of evidence were involved in Ramsey's case. These four types of indications include physical evidence, documentary evidence, Expert opinion evidence, and DNA evidence. Physical; evidence present in Ramsey case included Boot prints, broken glass, blue rope, and items in the suitcase, among others. The ransom note which was left is allegedly said to have been left in the house represented documentary evidence. Expert opinion was also involved where graphologists' experts were called to analyze the handwriting on the ransom note ("JonBenét Ramsey - Crime Museum", 2020). DNA evidence has also been widely used in the case to prove different versions of stories about the death of the girl. For example, DNA evidence was taken from the fingernails and the underwear of the victim, which proved that none of the family members was connected to the crime scene. The evidence suggested the involvement of an unknown male. DNA evidence was also collected through an examination of skin cells, panties on touch, and DNA on the ransom note.

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First Respondent Responsibility

The first officer has the responsibility of securing the integrity of the crime scene (Chase, 2011). This responsibility involves the prevention of potential destruction or removal of evidence by members of the public. In case the suspect is still at the crime scene, the first respondent should arrest them for preventing the destruction and contamination of evidence. This action will also protect the officer and the members of the public. The officer applies the best of their ability to control the changes made at the crime scene ("First Responders - Crime Museum", 2020). Once they secure the crime scene, they should try to park a distance away from the crime scene. This practice is crucial to ensuring their safety and that of the members of the general public. The suspect may still be at the crime scene, which may make situations worse after they realize police presence.

Once they are sure that the crime scene is safe, they should proceed to the rope of an extensive area around the crime scene. The first respondent should keep everyone away from the crime scene and ensure only the authorized individuals enter the scene. A log of entry to the scene should be kept, which should include the name of the person, date and time of entry, reasons for entry, and the day and time they left the scene ("First Responders - Crime Museum", 2020). This practice will be valuable in ensuring the admissibility of evidence as records will be produced on why individuals entered the crime scene. The first respondent should also interview potential witnesses once he or she has secured the crime scene.

Failures of First Respondent in Ramsey's Case

In Ramsey's case, the first respondent failed to secure the crime scene. This mistake contributed significantly to the uncertainty that surrounds the death of the six-year-old girl. To begin with, the first respondents failed to secure the whole home environment and decided to put some roping around her bedroom. They should have secured the entire compound that belonged to the Ramsey's as it was an area where the crime had occurred. They also failed as they allowed other individuals to enter the crime scene, which may have led to the removal and destruction of evidence. The first respondent should have allowed the father and the mother of the deceased to touch her body as they were tampering with evidence.

Another mistake that the first respondents made was that they never took explicit pictures of the crime scene. The respondents failed by involving legally unauthorized individuals to search. They shared the evidence they had with the family, which may have led to the development of a defense mechanism. The authorities made a mistake as they delayed to do an informal interview with the victim's parents. According to the first FBI agent on the scene (Ron Walker), the errors that the police made on the case made to the destruction of the evidence before it got off the ground ("Biggest police error over JonBenet", 2020). He asserted that the parents should have been interviewed separately in a different location and make them produce a signed statement.

Collection and Preservation of Glass Evidence

The first procedure in collecting glass evidence involves taking pictures of the crime scene. A tape measure should also be used to determine the distance traveled by broken glass. Collect a sample from the broken windows while handling them to the minimum. Label the glass fragments separately depending on the window they came from ("Physical Evidence Bulletin- Collection of Glass Fragments", 2020). All the pieces should be collected and labeled to allow reconstruction. For those fragments found on clothes, they should be wrapped separately and labeled. They should be placed in a plastic bag, sealed paper, or paper bindle.

Method of Collection Impact on Overall Lab Results

Yes, the process of collection should have prevented damaging fingerprints. Once the officials allowed individuals to interfere with the scene of the crime, it could have led to the interference with the evidence, which could translate to mixed results after lab analysis.

Additional evidence in the case

Yes, character evidence was portrayed by the behaviors of the parents. After the father was told to look for something that was not appropriate, he went to the basement of the house, which is usually the unused part of a home where he discovered the child's body. The behaviors of the parents where they failed to cooperate with the authorities suggest they were hiding something. They also called the police, which was contrary to the dictates of the ransom note. By doing this, there were posing a risk to the life of their daughter.

References

Biggest police error over JonBenet. NewsComAu. (2020). Retrieved 22 June 2020, from https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/true-stories/biggest-police-error-over-jonbenet-revealed-by-first-fbi-agent-on-scene/news-story/2d82e891d8d9b2031efd963cf92ef0ae.

Chase, J. (2011). Importance of First Officer at the Crime Scene. Retrieved 21 June 2020, from https://authorjenniferchase.com/2011/04/04/importance-of-first-officer-at-the-crime-scene/.

First Responders - Crime Museum. Crime Museum. (2020). Retrieved 21 June 2020, from https://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/forensic-investigation/first-responders/.

JonBenét Ramsey - Crime Museum. Crime Museum. (2020). Retrieved 21 June 2020, from https://www.crimemuseum.org/crime-library/cold-cases/jonbenet-ramsey/.

Physical Evidence Bulletin- Collection of Glass Fragments. California Department of Justice- Bureau of Forensic Services-. (2020). Retrieved 22 June 2020, from https://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/CAglass.pdf.