Your presentations should take the viewer from inception to conclusion detailing and explaining the steps within the investigation. For the purposes of this presentation you may use as your subject famous or infamous homicide cases, solved or unsolved. They can be of recent origin or decades old. Your syllabus listed a number of sources for gathering information. Of course, this not an all-inclusive list and, accordingly, you may use other resources to obtain relevant information. The following is an overview of the format that you should generally follow:
• You should begin your presentation with an overview of the subject matter of the case you are writing about. Who is involved in the case? Who is the victim or victims? How did it begin? Where and when did it begin? This is an introduction to give the observer/reader the genesis of what you are writing about.
• The initial call/contact with to law enforcement. How was contact made? Who made it?
• Who were the first officers/responders on the scene? Who had control and access to the crime scene?
• Was there more than one crime scene?
• Was there a lead investigator assigned to the case? What department was he or she from? Was there more than one law enforcement agency involved in the investigation?
• What investigative steps were taken during the initial response when the case was just beginning??
• Was there an initial suspect or suspects arrested or identified at the crime scene?
• Were notes, sketches, videos and/or photos taken at the scene??
• What forensic evidence was secured at the scene? Shell casings, blood, clothing, weapons, fingerprints, tire imprints, etc. Who was responsible for recovered the evidence?
• Where and how was the recovered evidence processed?
• Was there a canvass of the area? Were possible witness interviewed?
• What was the role of the press in the case? Did press coverage help or hinder the investigation?
• What mistakes or missed opportunities (if any) occurred?
• What was the final outcome of the case? Was the case solved? Did it go to trial? If so, what was the verdict? Or, did the case go “cold.”
The body of your presentation should address the actual day to day manner in which the case proceeded. A description of the events that followed as the case progressed. You may use video, power point, handouts or other devices during your presentation. You may of course comment on the competence or incompetence of the police pertaining to their role in the investigation. Would the case have ended differently if the police had pursued a different course of action? Did the case conclude in a fair and just manner? Was justice done? Please express your thoughts since they are important? This assignment should be interesting and contemplative. Remember, that homicide is a crime that remains open until solved. As we have seen some of these crimes have been solved with an arrest years and even decades after the fact. Your presentation will also be your final paper which will be handed in at the end of the semester.