1. Good morning; welcome to Honors Forensic Science for the 2018-2019 school year.
There is a blank sheet of paper at your desk; please use example below to make a heading.
We need to do a few bothersome "first day of school” things, but mostly I want us to do some quick forensic science.
Name
Date
Day 1

2. On February 6, 2012, there was been a 911 call and upon arrival, police found a 17 year-old who is deceased.
Please write three questions a forensic science technician might be immediately asked by law enforcement to answer.
Do this independently, then we'll share out.
Thanks for getting started.

3. Who wants to share?

4. Here is what IS known at this time:
* Victim is a 17 year old African-American male.
* No identification is found on the body.
The assailant is still at the crime scene.
A Kel-Tech 9mm handgun is at the scene; one round
has been fired.

5. The weapon
Ask for observations about type of gun, i.e. semiautomatic handgun (not a revolver) has a gun lock to pevent being loaded and fired

6. Shot was fired at an upward angle from a range of 2-4”
Forensic science in the U.S. still uses mostly English measurements (makes it easier for juries)

7. What is going on here?
The assailant had gunshot residue on his hand.

8. Crime scene

9. Whenever a death is suspicious, an autopsy must be
performed.
What do we learn from autopsies?

10. In today’s case:
*Bullet entered left side of chest, went through heart, then
right lung.
Small abrasion on left ring finger below the knuckle.cWhat
might that indicate?
Pathologist estimates victim may have lived one to
three minutes after being shot.

11. Entire autopsy here: http://www. autopsyfiles

12. Toxicology report
What might you expect to learn from toxicology test on the
victim? Write some ideas and we will share out.
Victim had 1.5 ng/mL of THC (active ingredient in marijuana)
and 7.3 ng/mL of THC-COOH (a metabolite of THC)
These amounts are so low that experts testified that marijuana
was likely smoked days or weeks prior and had no effect on
behavior at time of shooting.

13. 911 Call What evidence can be gathered from 911 calls?
1st call placed at 7:13:39
Gunshot heard on tape at 7:16:55
Play sound file last Addresses and names are silenced

14. DNA Evidence
No DNA found under assailant’s
Fingernails.
Victim’s sweatshirt was put in plastic bag
while damp; shirt molded and useless for
evidence (improper collection and storage)

15. So what would you like to know about the assailant?
Write some questions and we will share out.
29 year-old male; identifies as Hispanic on voter registration
Was not administered any drug/alcohol tests
Suffered cuts and lacerations to back of head and
bloody nose

16. Photo on left from police station night of shooting
Photo on right from police car

17. So does anyone recognize this case?

19. George Zimmerman was questioned five hours by police.
His clothes were collected for evidence and he took a
voice stress analysis test to see if he was lying.
He was released when police determined he acted in
self-defense under Florida’s Stand Your Ground law.

20. In March, the chief detective in the case sent a request to
the State’s Attorney asking for a charge of negligent
manslaughter even though he said there was not enough
evidence to support such a charge.
He did this to keep the case moving forward in the legal
system.
How is manslaughter different from homicide?

21. In April, the FBI and Justice Department also began investigation into the case.
Later in April, an affidavit of probable cause was filed in support of second degree murder charges. George Zimmerman had been told by a 911 operator NOT to get out of his car and follow Trayvon Martin but did so anyway.

22. Trial began June 10, 2013. What do you think the verdict was?
Jury deliberations began July 12.
On July 13, the jury found Zimmerman not guilty.
On February 24, 2015, the U.S. Justice Department
determined there was not enough evidence to proceed
with federal hate crime prosecution