Paper Example on Mystery of Karen Compagno: Unsolved Case of a Missing Wife

Introduction

The case began as a disappearance after Christopher Compagno called the police reporting the disappearance of his wife, Karen Compagno. Preliminary investigations resulted in the identification of a cleaned pool of blood that was later identified as belonging to a human but uncertain it belonged to Karen Compagno. Forensic investigations later identified cleaned blood splatters recognizing the bedroom of the Compagno residents as the epicenter of the crime. The husband was classified as the primary suspect based on the forensic evidence and his failing alibies. The only limitation to his conviction was the lack of the victim’s body. However, it was identified and forensically proven to be Karen Compagno. The courts charged Christopher Compagno with manslaughter and were sentenced to 1000 years in prison.

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Evidence available (be specific- don’t just say “fingerprints, hair, gunpowder residue”- describe what makes the evidence unique to the case): [4 marks]

The first evidence was the moist spot on the bedroom carpet that was later identified to be blood after the use of a Hemastix Blood ID Reagent Strips.

The alibi given by Christopher Compagno on his whereabouts the day his wife went missing was weak as the bartender did not remember seeing him that night as he claimed.

A receipt was found identifying that Christopher had pawned some of Karen Compagno’s belongings the morning of her reported disappearance.

The police utilized a sensitive chemical termed “Luminol,” which could illuminate blood regardless of it being cleaned or dried out. The test identified the presence of a horrific event as blood splatter was everywhere in the room. The splatter was on the walls, ceiling, door, and floor.

There were drag trailing left by the cleaned blood to the driveway where Christopher parked his car. The evidence identified that the events that led to the significant blood splatter took place in the bedroom.

The forensic investigators recreated the bloodstain on the carpet and identified that over 40% of human blood would be required to make a similar stain to the one identified in the crime scene. Such blood loss is fatal for a woman the size of Karen Compagno

An RFLP analysis was conducted on the bloodstain found on the carpet with the family members of Karen Compagno, identifying the blood belonged to Karen Compagno thereby confirming the case as a homicide investigation

All the data from the investigation, coupled with the argument overheard by the neighbors on the night of Karen Compagno’s disappearance, was sufficient for the arrest of Christopher Compagno.

Describe one forensic technique highlighted in case (ex: DNA fingerprinting, dusting for powders, microscope analysis- techniques involve learning more about the evidence than meets the eye or finding evidence in a special way): [2 marks]

The use of the chemical “Luminol” allowed for the identified cation of the cleaned blood stains and splatter that came from the violent attack on Karen Compagno by her husband. The chemical reacts with the iron in the protein hemoglobin, causing it to glow under UV (Ultraviolet) light.

Outcome/Results of case: [1 mark]

With the incriminatory forensic evidence presented and the discovery of the victim's body, the accused Christopher Compagno accepted the charges and was sentenced to 1000 years in prison.