Review and utilize the information you gathered for your Annotated Bibliography and Literature Review (Attached). In addition, review the assigned readings from the text. The Final Project is made up of two parts; both will be based on the Wayne Williams/Atlanta Child Murders case. The Final Project builds on the culmination of information you acquired in each of week of this course. The first part of the project consists of a written report where you will contrast the handling and processing of evidence at the time of the case with the accepted procedures in use today.
The second part of the project consists of a video presentation of evidence from the case. The purpose of the written report and the presentation is for you to utilize the learning achieved in the course by evaluating the scientific techniques used to process evidence found at crime scenes, examining ethical issues pertaining to the forensic evidence, as well as articulating legal issues related to the use of forensic testing of evidence.
For your Final Project, you will take on the role of the commander of the investigations division. You have been tasked to write a report for the chief’s office on the Wayne Williams’ case evidence. Additionally, you have been requested to create a video presentation for a citizens’ police academy class, which is currently reviewing the crime scene evidence analysis of the Wayne Williams’ case.
Wayne Williams Case Evidence Staff Study—Part I: The Written Report
The Written Report must include evidence from all of the different crime scenes of the Williams’ case. In your report, you must
- 1. Explain different techniques used to process non-biological trace, biological, and digital evidence in the field, as well as a laboratory setting relevant to this case.
- 2. Compare how major pieces of evidence were handled at the time of discovery and contrast that to how it would be handled today.
- 3. Examine legal and ethical issues related to judicial admissibility regarding collection and forensic testing of non-biological, biological, and digital evidence, including current challenges and emerging issues that are relevant to the case.
- 4. Analyze any legal or court issues that have emerged subsequent to the initial investigation.
- 5. Differentiate evidence admissibility standards between then and now.
- 6. Explain the differences in handling or processing procedures and the evolution in forensics that have occurred that would influence this case.
- 7. Evaluate the preferred methods and techniques used in the field and the laboratory as they pertain to this case.
The Written Report
- Must be a minimum of ten double-spaced pages in length, not including title and references pages) and formatted according to APA
- In Text Citing
- The written report must include a separate title page with the following:
- The written report must use at least eight scholarly and credible sources in addition to the course text.
- The written report must include a separate references page that is formatted according to APA style
- The written report must document all sources in APA style