Reconstructing a crime scene incorporates three specific environments: crime scene, Investigation, and court (Lee & Howard, 2011). There are inherent limitations in a reconstruction and imitations are tied to each of these three environments. It is important for a reconstructionist to not go beyond what he knows, but at the same time be cognizant of the fact that the very thing that can neither be defined nor acknowledged may be more powerful than what can be defined (Lee & Howard, 2011).It is also paramount that an appropriate methodology is employed that suitably corroborates the process (Lee & Howard, 2011).
The process of crime scene reconstruction focuses on either the determination or elimination of actions and events that happened at the scene of a crime, and through the position and location of the physical evidence, crime scene pattern and laboratory examination of the physical evidence, the story I able to be reconstructed (Travis & Rua, 2000). Scientific analysis, systematic study of logical formulation theory and related information as well as interpretation of laboratory examination of physical evidence and of the scene pattern evidence are all included in the crime scene reconstruction process Travis & Rua, 2000).
Why is reconstruction important? It is important to determine how and why a crime was committed. This can be done by limiting various possibilities that could have occurred based on the physical evidence a Reconstructionist find at the crime scene Travis & Rua, 2000). Maintaining integrity of a crime scene is very important to an investigation, and for this reason it is important to reconstruct a crime scene. Crime profiling, reenactment and recreation are all different from reconstruction (Travis & Rua, 2000). While they are all useful to some aspect of criminal investigation, they are not like reconstruction useful in solving a crime (Travis & Rua, 2000). In a nutshell reconstruction incorporates observation at a crime scene, ability to scientifically examine physical evidence while using logical theory formulations (Travis & Rua, 2000). Reconstruction is partly based on past experiences and scientific experimentation. As seen in forensic sciences, it is all about the stages and steps, followed by basic principles of science, logical methodology and theory formation (Travis & Rua, 2000).
The work involved in an investigation is so put together that the end result is a believable event or story(Lee & Howard, 2011). In the end the information can support court testimony leading to a prosecution, disposition and in some case whatever else an investigator can accomplish in an investigation (Lee & Howard, 2011). To the reconstruction, follow-up, chance discovery, interviewing , responding, gathering of evidence and introduction , paradigm application, testing and formation of hypothesis and the insight that contributes to reconstruction , which in turn provides theory of crime (Lee & Howard, 2011). Criminal investigation according Osterburg and Ward of how fast events were reconstructed (Lee & Howard, 2011). Henry Lee asserts that reconstruction unlike reenactment is more robust , comprehensive and more directed to ultimate resolution to problems that criminal investigative analysis can provided (Lee & Howard, 2011).
The Henry Lee Model
According to Lee & Howard (2011), there are a few different reconstruction types in this scientific fact-finding process called reconstruction. Accident, physical evidence, pattern evidence and bloodstain area few of those reconstruction types that are at some point incorporated in the five stages of the reconstruction process; data collection, conjecture, hypothesis formulation, testing and theory formation (Lee & Howard, 2011).
Basic Principles of Reconstruction and Physical Evidence: The Local Theory of transfer is extremely important to forensic analysis (Travis & Rua, 2000). Transfer has limited the value in forensic examination. Deductive and inductive logic is often used at in reconstruction as well as statistical data, pattern analysis, lab results, and information from the crime scene (Travis & Rua, 2000; Lee & Howard, 2011). Reconstruction can be difficult because pattern analysis, physical evidence and testimonial evidence are all compiled to tell a story (Travis & Rua, 2000). AFIS and CODIS, forms of artificial intelligence and expert systems have opened up doors to aid reconstruction. These systems allow for forensic scientist modeling, representation of crime scene results, profiling and comparing crime suspects, and making decisions that are logical in the case(Travis & Rua, 2000). Reconstruction is crucial to a case, especially where eye-witness testimony is either unreliable or not available.
Steps in Reconstruction: Reconstruction is a fact-gathering process that is built on science. It incorporates consilience, which is jumping together facts and fact theory to come to a common ground of explanation of a crime (Lee & Howard, 2011). The stages in reconstruction are data collection, conjecture, hypothesis formulation, testing, and theory formation (Travis & Rua, 2000). Data collection is the stage where all document information and information is gained about what happened at the crime scene, whether through interview with a victim, victims, group of people, physical evidence, impressions and evidence as well as the victim’s conditions are documented. This information is then studied , organized and reviewed (Travis & Rua, 2000).Conjecture focuses on the possible explanation of what might have occurred before any evidence us sought This should not become the only form of explanation; it offers a possibility when there are always numerous other possibilities that can be considered. Further accumulation of data is often based on the assessment and examination of physical evidence as well as the continuance of the investigation(Travis & Rua, 2000). Both scene and physical evidence inspection must occur as well as the emanation of physical evidence which includes but not limited to blood pattern, gunshot residue fingerprint evidence and trace metal detection; this is a process that leads to Hypothesis formulation. This formulation leads to what Reconstructionist will make “educated guess’ and probable course of events; called hypothesis(Travis & Rua, 2000). Once a hypothesis is formulate, then more testing needs to be done in order to either disprove or confirm the specific aspects and overall interpretation of the hypothesis (Travis & Rua, 2000). Lastly, there is theory formation, which may be acquired during the investigation about the case, what took place, activities of individuals, accuracy of eye-witness testimony given. All the analysis and assessment need to be incorporated in testing, in order to best verify the hypothesis (Travis & Rua, 2000).
Investigators might have to check their egos at the door as reconstructionism means to “get it right” so they might have to go back to the crime scene to re-analyze the evidence, or doing unpopular things like getting a new search warrant and re-interviewing witnesses (Lee & Howard, 2011). In reconstruction of a crime scene the investigator has to ensure he understands that to do through consilience, and linking together a series of events. It paramount for documentation to occur at a crime scene and throughout the investigation of the crime, while culpability is assigned and evidence is recognized and collected t the crime scene (“Crime-Scene Investigation and Evidence Collection, n.d. ”). To assign culpability Reconstructionist has to put pieces together one by one . Crime scene reconstruction can help to determine wo is culpable of the crime, and what really took place (“Crime-Scene Investigation and Evidence Collection, n.d.” ) at the scene of a crime.
Works Cited
Crime-Scene Investigation and Evidence Collection, n.d. Web. 06 August 2016
Lee, Henry, C & Harris, Howard, A. Physical Evidence in Forensic Science, Third Edition [Paperback] 320 pages, Lawyers & Judges Pub Company, 2011, ISBN-10: 1936360012
Travis, J. & Rau, R.M. (2000). Crime Scene Investigation: A Guide for Law Enforcement . Web 06 August 2016
