So What Did Margie Say About...CSI: Code Blue Plate Special

 

 

 

The 5/29/13 repeat episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation titled "Code Blue Plate Special" was a treasure trove of forensic evidence.

Obviously I gravitate toward the bloodstain pattern analysis. This was done extremely well, following the flows of blood and the placement of the blood stains to tell the story of the events.

I do have some talking points about other forensic issues in this episode.

For instance, a photograph of a bloody shoe impression was held up against the shoe of a potential suspect: Ronald Bosderic. It may have been visually the same tread pattern and the same size but just a quick look like this wouldn't identify the individual characteristics for Sarah to declare "It's a match". Damage done by rocks or cuts or scuff marks are what make 'a match'. The likelihood that two pair of shoes walk the same path to receive the same damage to the tread of the shoes is beyond calculation. But you have to actually find these characteristics and compare a known to an unknown in the laboratory to declare a match.

Then we have the testing of a set of clothes to determine a shooter. With eight people killed (some with multiple shots) and two shots that missed hitting any individuals, there would be an accumulation of gases within the relatively close proximity of all the victims. I dare say that anyone's clothes within that particular scene would test positive for lead. This finding, in and of itself, would not determine "the shooter".

Next I would like to draw attention to the finding of a thread in one of the victim's throat. This is not part of a routine autopsy, especially in a shooting. The neck may be cut and viewed in a choking or a fire to check for injury or smoke and searing but it is not typical to just view the interior of the throat.

Lastly I have an issue with fuming newspapers using ninhydrin. Superglue is used in a fuming hood and is usually used for nonporous items. Porous items like paper are treated with ninhydrin to find the amino acids left behind when someone touches an item and the fingerprint and its contents absorb into the paper. However it is usually applied by spray, dipping, or brushing and then subjected to a humid heat source (like a steam iron).

On the positive side, did I mention that they did a bang up job with the bloodstain patterns??

Happy Memorial Day

On this Memorial Day (5/27/13) I will not discuss a particular television episode.  I have always talked about something to do with crime and criminal investigation.  But no one really wants crime or criminal activity.  To accept crime is to think about the violence and fear and loss and death and that is dreadful.

 

These same thoughts apply also to war.  No one really wants to consider war but there is tremendous violence and fear and loss and death.  Thank God for those who fight for our freedom.

 

On this day please take time to think about, remember, and honor those that have lost their lives in wars and conflicts.  And pray for those who are still with us.

So What Did Margie Say...Goodbye Bones Hello Motive

It would appear that our Monday nights of Bones is over, at least for awhile.  So I switched channels and watched the 5/20/13 sneak preview episode of "Motive" with the title 'Creeping Tom'.

 

There were a lot of references to psychological profiling.  Detective Angie Flynn suggested that the creeping behavior (basically breaking and entering while leaving the word creepers behind) suggested someone who breaks into houses for the thrill of it because they are bored.  She felt that the intruder was testing authority.  On these bases she surmised that they were looking for a teenager.

 

It also came to light that creepers went in basically to nab a souvenir.  When learning about criminal behavior analysis, there is a difference between a souvenir and a trophy.  The way it was explained to me is that when you go to Disney World you buy a set of mouse ears as a souvenir.  You appreciate them for awhile but right now you have no earthly idea where they are.  On the other hand, if you earn a trophy, it is important to you and probably prominently displayed.  You know exactly where it is.  It's on the mantle or in a case.  It is cared for and dusted and polished and treasured.  Much more significant than a souvenir. 

 

Anyway, back to behavior.  It wasn't limited to human behavior.  The calmness of the dog with the intruder was a big red flag that the dog was familiar with and even liked the perpetrator. 

 

Leave it to man's best friend to be the deal breaker in the case.  Go animals!!

So What Did Margie Say About...CSI: Skin in the Game

In the 5/15/13 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation episode titled "Skin in the Game" began by investigation into three women, two deceased and one in a coma.  All were strangled, had heart charms on their person or property, and were found in a staged scene with their bodies 'displayed'.  

At first it would appear that the boyfriend of one of these women was mere 'collateral damage' having been found shot in the head and located in a freezer.  The sex was wrong, the cause of death was wrong, and the location was wrong.  Such an outlier was curious.

 

There appeared to be a religious theme or undercurrent amongst all the scenes.  The so called signatures of this perpetrator were adding up. 

 

When one considers an MO or modus operandi (Latin for method of operation) it should reduce the possibilities of potential suspects.  It should lead to someone who has a particular method of operation or a particular habit that is so important to the personality as a trait that it becomes a signature to lead to a unique individual which helps to eliminate suspects and/or link crimes to one individual.

 

As it turns out the multiple signatures lead to the discovery that the perpetrator was following the outline of a particular theme - Dante's Inferno and the nine circles of hell.

 

It will be a small piece of the fiery place waiting for the next episode to see if either of the two daughters of major characters will be saved from doom.

So What Did Margie Say About...the CSI approach

Because there was no Bones episode on 5/13/13 I'd like to talk about how crime scene investigators approach a crime scene utilizing observation and perception.

 

Investigators should record their observations using their five senses: what they see, hear, feel, smell, and, to some extent, taste.  A heavy sulfur atmosphere will combine with smell and give a hint of a twang taste.  Lots of fresh liquid blood will smell and give a slight taste of iron.  

I am not saying that one actually taste these things by placing something in your mouth.  If you just open your mouth and breathe the air you can get the "sense" of taste when nothing blocks your smell.  Some people use something in their nose to block smells but this practice may also mean that you may miss some information.

 

Obviously one records what they see but sometimes what you feel or hear is important too:  Is it a cold environment?  Is it humid?  Is the wind blowing?  Is the heat or air conditioner on and working?  Do you hear engines or machinery?  Is there water dripping in the scene?  Is the body warm to the touch? 

 

Do you smell anything?  Is the smell common to the area?  Is the body in a state of decomposition?

 

These observations are altered by your perception.  Depending on your training, your life experience, and your background on the job, you may perceive things differently from someone else with a different history.  

I have heard the tale of a law enforcement agent and a fireman at the scene of a homicide followed by an arson.  The law enforcement agent gravitated toward the evidence of a cartridge case located on the floor.  The arson investigator gravitated toward the book of matches next to the cartridge case.  Same scene, same area but a different point of focus because of their backgrounds and interests. 

 

This is why at the end of a crime scene response, it is advisable to get what is called a "fresh set of eyes" to reevaluate the scene.  One reason is that they will have a different perspective and may find something that the original investigator did not focus on.  The other reason is that after many hours on the scene, you are tired and a fresh viewpoint will help to assure that the best job was done.

So What Did Margie Say About....CSI: Ghosts of the Past

I have a few questions in reference to the 5/8/13 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation episode titled "Ghosts of the Past".

 

One is about the autopsy on the original victim.  I understand if this was meant to portray the medical examiner "pinning back" the skin to better examine the "S" incision but if this incision was bad enough to eviscerate the victim, that was not depicted.  There appeared to be too many layers of muscle in this body.  A normal autopsy is a Y incision beginning at the outer portions near the collarbones and then meeting to create an incision down the mid line of the body. This certainly was not depicted.

 

Then I question how blood spatter flew directly onto the front of the yellow tee shirt when she was struck in the head.  Blood should fly out and away and I certainly cannot figure out the flight path of this blood spatter.  It would have to fly out and curve around to strike the victim straight on in the front of her body.  It reminds me of a remote controlled toy airplanes' flight path.  Fortunately blood doesn't fly by remote control.

 

Then there were the luminol footwear impressions.  Why didn't these impressions diminish as they created a path?  If the blood was not replenished on the bottom of the shoes then the impressions would certainly not be as prevalent in the end as they were in the beginning.  That's why the pattern is called a "diminishing repetitive transfer pattern".

 

Unfortunately the believability of these issues didn't have a ghost of a chance (pun intended).

So What Did Margie Say About...Bones/The Diamond in the Rough

The 5/6/13 repeat Bones episode titled "The Diamond in the Rough" showed Brennan using a chemical test to determine the presence of lead acetate in a ballroom dancers costume.

 

Sodium Rhodizonate is a chemical test used in forensic work, specifically in reference to firearms, to determine the presence of lead in many forms.  The gaseous vapors, the particulate, and any bullet lead wipe determine that a shot was fired and may all help to distinguish a muzzle to target distance in shooting cases. 

 

The further the distance the muzzle of a gun is away from the object shot (the target) the larger the circumference of the circle of gas and particles.  There is a distance where these drop off and are no longer visible.  A comparison of the pattern size and distribution will determine a range of distance if it within the range where this information is captured. 

 

The lead wipe will tell you that it is a bullet hole.

 

Nitrites are also determined through a chemical test called the Griess test.  These patterns, which are created by unburned or partially burned smokeless powder, also help to determine muzzle to target distance.

 

Speaking of distances, I think I will keep mine in reference to comment on the dancing of Bones and Booth.

So What Did Margie Say About...CSI: Fearless

The 5/1/13 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation titled "Fearless" begins with the retrieval of a body from a spa mud pit.

 

Containers of water are troublesome enough.  A body in a lake, or pond, or swimming pool, or creek can really wreck havoc with the preservation of the evidence and/or the body. 

 

But my oh my you add heat to the mixture and you have a literal soup of mess.  Nothing is like having a body deceased in a Jacuzzi and I imagine a mud bath is probably just as bad.

 

You do siphon out the fluid and sift through the debris to see what you have like they did in the show.  If there is a drain of any sort then you must retrieve what has gone into the drain.  You need to also check any filters.

 

I knew of a case where an older gentleman was taking a bath and had a heart attack.  His wife suffered the same fate as she attempted to pull him out of the tub and fell into the bath water with her husband.  

They were discovered several days later when the responding officer went through the bathroom window on a 'check on the welfare of' call and fell right on top of both of them.  You know, the mud bath doesn't really seem so bad on second thought.