The Enrique Camarena Case Study
The forensic evidence found in the Enrique Camarena Case
1. Identification of Cadaver number 1 as that of Camarena by fingerprint expert.
2. Dental records were used to identify the second body named as Cadaver number 2 as Captain Zavala.
3. The examination of SA Camarena’s body revealed that death was caused by blunt-force injuries.
4. The soil samples taken from the clothing of the bodies led to the location where they were buried after their death.
5. Other forensic evidences collected included a piece of rope purported to be used to bind SA Camarena, SA Camarena’s burial sheet, part of a pillow case obtained from bedroom number 3, another piece of unsoiled rope which was removed from the covered patio and the MFJP Crime laboratory report.
6. Samples of hair taken from comandate Sergio Espino-Verdin and Rene Verdugo believed to be highly ranked members of Caro-Quintero gang which was a match with evidence gotten from crime scenes (Malone, 1989).
The steps followed by the crime scene investigators
They used descriptions of assailants and the car used to abduct SA Camarena to conclude that Caro-Quintero and Ernesto Fonseca as suspects. They got leads which enabled them to confront and kill a gang at the Bravo Ranch and discover SA Camarena’s body. The FBI requested permission to process the materials taken as evidence from the crime scenes. After gathering enough evidence, they asked for warrant of arrests for the suspects who were later tried and apprehended (Malone, 1989).
The gathering of clothing, soil, hair and other forensic evidences from crime scenes and taking them fro analysis were the correct steps the FBI made which led to accumulation of enough evidence. However, the involvement of the Mexican government and officials during the investigations were the mistakes made in this case for they tried to destroy evidence. In my opinion, the investigations could be conducted privately without the involvement of the Mexican law enforcement agencies after FBI has obtained permission to do so by Mexican government. This could have prevented destructions of evidence at crimes scenes which delayed the whole process (Fisher, Tilstone, & Woytowicz, 2009).
References
Fisher, B. A. J., Tilstone, W. J. & Woytowicz, C. (2009). Introduction to criminalistics: the foundation of forensic science. Elsevier Academic Press: Burlington, MA.
Malone, M. P. (1989). The Enrique Camarena Case: A Forensic Nightmare. FBI law enforcement bulletin: Washington, DC.
