4a.+Crime+&+Evidence


 * EVIDENCE AND CRIME**

Throughout history, investigators look at evidence to solve crimes. As you saw in the Lizzie Borden case, without incriminating evidence, there is virtually no proof that someone committed a crime. In the Scott Peterson case, you had "circumstantial evidence" surrounding his crime. Evidence shows up in various ways and sometimes handwriting can play a key role. Two examples in which handwritten documents played a role were"
 * The ransom notes in the **Kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh, Jr**., on March 1, 1932
 * **Clifford Irving’s Forgery** during the 1970s of letters, and an autobiography he claimed Howard Hughes, the reclusive billionaire, had written.
 * Using the Internet, you will look up these cases to get a background of what they were about.

** HOW INVESTIGATORS LOOK AT HANDWRITING:  ** Investigators look closely at the following characteristics when they are examining handwriting:  a. The form of the handwriting, such as the shapes of the letters and their slant, angles, connections and curves b. The line quality, or the thickness of the line as a result of the type of writing instrument used and the pressure exerted while writing c. The arrangement on the page, including spacing, alignment, formatting, and unique punctuation d. The content, including the spelling, phrasing, punctuation, and grammar  Forensic scientists analyze the paper used. Scientists look at what the paper is made of, what additives have been used, whether watermarks are present, and whether surface treatments, such as heat or resins, have been used. By analyzing the paper, scientists can often tell how old a document is. Finally, scientists also analyze the ink to help figure out what kind of pen was used to write the document. 1. RESEARCH ONE OF THE FOLLOWING INDIVIDUALS AND TYPE THE ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS BELOW. WEBSITES ARE PROVIDED, BUT YOU CAN ALSO USE OTHER SITES IN YOUR RESEARCH. PASS IN YOUR RESPONSES.  []  [] > [] []
 * TASK: **
 * The Kidnapping of Charles Lindbergh, Jr. **
 * 1) What role did the ransom notes play in the case?
 * 2) What did investigators look for when analyzing the notes?
 * 3) Were the notes helpful in determining the guilt of the suspect?
 * 4) <span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo4; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; msolist: l4 level1 lfo4; msomarginbottomalt: auto; msomargintopalt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; tabstops: list .5in;">What conclusions did investigators come to about the notes?
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in -0.25in 0pt 0in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; msomarginbottomalt: auto; msomargintopalt: auto;">Clifford Irving’s Forgery **
 * 1) <span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; msolist: l3 level1 lfo5; msomarginbottomalt: auto; msomargintopalt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; tabstops: list .5in;">What exactly did Clifford Irving do?
 * 2) <span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; msolist: l3 level1 lfo5; msomarginbottomalt: auto; msomargintopalt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; tabstops: list .5in;">Why did people believe that his writings were those of Howard Hughes, the reclusive billionaire?
 * 3) <span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; msolist: l3 level1 lfo5; msomarginbottomalt: auto; msomargintopalt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; tabstops: list .5in;">How did investigators ultimately solve this case?
 * 4) <span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; msolist: l3 level1 lfo5; msomarginbottomalt: auto; msomargintopalt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; tabstops: list .5in;">What was his punishment?

2. THEN ANSWER THE DISCUSSION QUESTION SHOWN IN THE DISCUSSION AREA OF THIS WIKI (see discussion tab above on this page) WITH YOUR CLASSMATES. PARTICIPATION IN THE DISCUSSION WILL BE WORTH A GRADE.