Volume 16 - American Academy of Forensic Sciences

513 Pages·2010·3.87 MB·English

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PROCEEDINGS
of theAmericanAcademy of Forensic Sciences February 2010
Volume XVI
Contents
Special Sessions............................................................................3
Breakfast Seminars.......................................................................6
Luncheon Seminars.....................................................................10
Workshops...................................................................................11
Scientific Sessions
Criminalistics.........................................................................19
Digital &Multimedia Sciences...........................................136
Engineering Sciences...........................................................149
General.................................................................................177
Jurisprudence.......................................................................216
Odontology..........................................................................240
Pathology/Biology...............................................................272
PhysicalAnthropology........................................................338
Psychiatry &Behavioral Science........................................419
Questioned Documents........................................................430
Toxicology...........................................................................442
Last Word.............................................................................467
Financial Disclosure Index.......................................................473
Key Word Index........................................................................492
PresentingAuthor Index...........................................................503

SPECIAL SESSIONS
Seattle 2010 Seattle 2010
S1 PuttingOurForensicHouseinOrder: Appeals for the DC Circuit, before the United States Senate
CommitteeontheJudiciary,March18,2009.
TheBestPathForward?
TheReportprovidedattorneysandotheractivistswiththemeansto
garner the attention of the media and legislators to advance efforts to
BettyLayneDesPortes,JD*,Benjamin&DesPortes,PC,POBox2464,
reform the forensic science system. Some of the reform efforts have
Richmond,VA23218;ThomasL.Bohan,PhD,JD*,MTCForensics,54
focused on setting standards and providing resources for research,
Pleasant Avenue, Peaks Island, ME 04108; Peter M. Marone, MS*,
training,andcertificationofforensicscientists. Otherefforts;however,
Department of Forensic Science, 700 North 5th Street, Richmond, VA
have focused on adopting legislation to regulate the presentation of
23219;KennethE.Melson,JD*,BureauofAlcohol,Firearms,Tobacco,&
forensicsciencetestimonyandevidenceincourt.
Explosives, 99 New York Avenue, NE, Suite 5S 100, Washington, DC
These reform efforts raise the question whether attorneys and
20226;PeterNeufeld,JD*,InnocenceProject,100FifthAve,3rdFloor,
legislators, through laws and court rules, should be telling forensic
NewYork,NY10011;BarbaraJ.Rothstein,JD*,FederalJudicialCenter,
scientists how to do their jobs. Relevant to the debate is the need for
ThurgoodMarshallFederalJudiciaryBuilding,OneColumbusCircleNE,
regulationandtheeffectivenessofcourtruleandlegislativecontrols.
Washington, DC 20002-8003; Marvin Schechter, JD*, 1790 Broadway,
Guided by the proposals submitted by professional organizations,
Suite710,NewYork,NY10019;EdwardJ.Ungvarsky,JD*,1853Newton
governmental entities, and private groups, the potential effectiveness
Street, Northwest, Washington, DC 20010; and Nicole L. Waters, PhD*,
andutilityofreformeffortsinthefederalandstatecourtsystemswillbe
NationalCenterforStateCourts,300NewportAvenue,Williamsburg,VA
analyzed in this session. Invited organizations include the Innocence
23185-4147
Project, Consortium of Forensic Science Organizations, National
AssociationofCriminalDefenseLawyers,theAAFSPresident’sPanel
The forensic science community has had an eventful year. In New
on Scientific Integrity, and representatives from federal
Mexico,GovernorBillRichardsoncitedforensicscienceasafactorin
executiveagencies.
hisdecisiontoendorsetherepealofthedeathpenaltyinhisstate,both
Thegoalsaretoprovokedebateandtoachieveworkablesolutionsto
forprovingtheoccurrenceofwrongfulconvictionsandasacausalfactor
theproblemshighlightedbytheNASReport.
inwrongfulconvictions:
InterdisciplinarySymposium,NASReport,Reform
“Thesystemisinherentlydefective. DNAtestinghasproven
that. Innocent people have been put on death row all across
the country. Even with the advances in DNA and other
forensic evidence technologies, we can’t be 100-percent S2 TheFutureofForensicScience:WhereWe
certain that only the truly guilty are convicted of capital AreandWhereWeAreGoing
crimes. Evidence, including DNA evidence, can be
manipulated.”
Arliss I. Dudley-Cash, BA*, 17 Pond View Court, Iowa City, IA 52240;
PressReleaseofGovernorBillRichardson,March18,2009
Tanisha V. Henson, BS, 1605 Vosspark Way, Sacramento, CA 95835;
This duality in the reputation of forensic science, as a method of
Rachael Lehr, MS, 5839 Oakland Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55417;
proving the truth to achieve justice and as a means of fostering
SamanthaH.Neal,BS,302OglebayHall,POBox6217,Morgantown,WV
incompetencetosubvertjustice,resonatedthroughoutthecountryinthe
26506-6217;DadeL.Chisler,BS,383BlacksRunRoad,Core,WV26541;
wakeofthereleaseoftheNASReport,“StrengtheningForensicScience
Amanda K. Kilgore, BS, Iowa DCI Crime Lab, 2240 South Ankeny
in the United States: A Path Forward.” Forensic scientists and
Boulevard, Ankeny, IA 50023; Anthony M. Sutter, BS, 966 Pope Court,
professional organizations immediately issued press releases, white
Ripon, CA 95366; Stephanie M. Crider, BA, Louisiana State University,
papers, and calls for action to address the Report’s indictment of the
Department of Geography & Anthropology, 227 Home Russell, Baton
forensic science system as fragmented, inconsistent, and weakly
Rouge, LA 70803; Casandra L. Hernandez, MSFS, 1000 River Walk
governed. The contents and conclusions of the Report were not
Boulevard,Apartment802,Shreveport,LA71105;JennaL.Oakes-Smith,
surprisingorunexpectedforthescientistsasmanywithintheirrankshad
MFS*,St.LouisMetroPoliceDepartment,1200ClarkAvenue,SaintLouis,
been struggling for years to bring enforceable standards to their
MO63103;MelissaDeBerry,BS,106DogwoodDrive,South,Florence,
scientificdisciplines.
MS 39073; Kelly L. Brown, MS, 221 Milford Mill Road, Pikesville, MD
For others, attorneys and legislators – even those familiar with the
21208;JenniferW.Mercer,BS,WestVirginiaUniversity,217ClarkHall,
justicesystem–theReportwasanalarm. Theshockingtruthwasthat
Morgantown,WV26506;ThomasL.Bohan,PhD,JD*,MTCForensics,54
thepeoplewithinthejusticesystemhadlittleknowledgeorappreciation
PleasantAvenue,PeaksIsland,ME04108;CarolHenderson,JD*,Stetson
oftherealityofforensicsciencepractice. Asoneoftheauthorsofthe
University,CollegeofLaw,140161stStreet,South,Gulfport,FL33707;
ReportstatedtoCongress:
Anjali R. Swienton, MFS, JD*, SciLawForensics, Ltd., 25 Walnutwood
“I had never heard an appeal in which a criminal defendant
Court,Germantown,MD20874;VincentJ.Desiderio,MS*,NewJersey
challenged the admission of forensic evidence at trial . . . I
StatePolice,CentralLaboratory,1200NegronRoad,Hamilton,NJ08691;
simplyassumed,asIsuspectmanyofmyjudicialcolleagues
Randall Lockwood, PhD*, 2214 Tulip Drive, Falls Church, VA 22046;
do,thatforensicsciencedisciplinestypicallyaregroundedin
VernonJ.Geberth,MS,MPS*,POBox197,Garnerville,NY10923;Aric
scientific methodology and that crime laboratories and
Dutelle, MFS*, University of Wisconsin - Platteville, Criminal Justice
forensic science practitioners generally are bound by solid
Department - 1147 Ullsvik, 1 University Plaza, Platteville, WI 53818;
practicesthatensureforensicscienceevidenceofferedincourt
Richard Vorder Bruegge, PhD*, Federal Bureau of Investigation, OTD-
is valid and reliable. I was surprisingly mistaken in what I
FAVIAU,Building27958A,PodE,Quantico,VA22135;MarkR.McCoy,
assumed.”
EdD*, University of Central Oklahoma, Forensic Science Institute, 100
StatementofTheHonorableHarryT.Edwards,SeniorCircuit
North University, Edmond, OK 73034; Christina A. Malone, MFS*,
Judge and Chief Judge Emeritus United States Court of
USACIL,4930North31stStreet,Building925,ForestPark,GA30297;
*PresentingAuthor 3
GregoryA.Schmunk,MD*,PolkCountyMedicalExaminer'sOffice,1914 ES1 American Society of Crime Laboratory
CarpenterAvenue,DesMoines,IA50314;CherylD.Hunter*,American
Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board
AcademyofForensicSciences,410North21stStreet,ColoradoSprings,
CO80904;LucyA.Davis,BHS*,18VanBurenStreet,Albany,NY12206; (ASCLD/LAB) Symposium – The National
RobinBowen,MA*,1600UniversityAvenue,POBox6217,Morgantown, Academy of Sciences Report: Impacts of
WV 26506-6217; and Susan M. Ballou, MS*, National Institute of
Selected Recommendations on The
Standards&Technology,LawEnforcementStandards,100BureauDrive,
MS8102,Gaithersburg,MD20899-8102 OperationofForensicScienceLaboratories
Throughout the past twelve years the Young Forensic Scientists
Joseph P. Bono, MA*, Forensic Sciences Program, Indiana
Forum has provided a program for a group of attendees ranging from
University/Purdue University Indianapolis, 402 North Blackford Street,
students to professionals new to their career in forensic science. The
Indianapolis, IN 46202; Kenneth E. Melson, JD*, Bureau of Alcohol,
programhasgrownandcontinuestochangeeachyearsinceitsinception
Tobacco,Firearms,&Explosives,99NewYorkAvenue,Northeast,Suite5S
toprovidestudentsandscientistswithfiveyearsexperienceorless,with
100,Washington,DC20226;PeterNeufeld,JD*,100FifthAvenue,3rd
themostqualityinformationpossible.Thecontinuinggoalistoprovide
Floor, New York, NY 10011; Peter M. Marone, MS*, Department of
topicsrelevanttotheireducationandtraining. TheForumalsoseeksto
ForensicScience,700North5thStreet,Richmond,VA23219;andDeanM.
provide a comfortableenvironment for students and professionals new
Gialamas, MS*, Orange County Sheriff-Coroner Department, Forensic
to their respective fields to establish contacts and communicate with
ScienceServices,320NorthFlowerStreet,SantaAna,CA92703
theirpeersandwithmoreexperiencedmembersandfellowsofAAFS.
This year proves to be exciting with a focus on the future of forensics
withthetheme,“TheFutureofForensics: WhereWeAreandWhereWe
The Committee on Identifying the Needs of the Forensic Science
Are Going.” Speakers will share their experience, casework, and
Community: CommitteeonAppliedandTheoreticalStatisticsNational
research in order to give participants an idea as to some of the new
Research Council issued the report Strengthening Forensic Science in
advances in forensic techniques, equipment, and even “what not
the United States: A Path Forward. This report contains thirteen
towear.”
“recommendations” all of which are important and will be impacted,
Following the daily session, the program will continue with an
perhaps indirectly, but impacted none-the-less, by legislative action in
evening session titled, “Young Forensic Scientists Forum Poster
Washington, DC. The requirements to which forensic science
Session.” Thepostersessionwillfeaturepostersbyundergraduateand
laboratorieswillbeexpectedtoconformintheUnitedStateswillchange
graduatestudentsaswellasforensicscienceprofessionals. Theposter
overthenextfewyears.
session will also present new, emerging forensic research, and
There are three recommendations which will most probably impact
technologiestoattendees.
forensic science laboratory accreditation and will have an
TheannualYFSFBringYourOwnSlidesSession,withpresentations
immediate effect on the following: the way forensic scientists report
from students and emerging forensic scientists, is scheduled for
analyticalfindings;thewayinwhichalaboratoryexistswithinaparent
Wednesdayevening.TheprogramwillcontinueThursdaymorningwith
organization’s structure; and, the requirement to conform to
theannualYFSFBreakfastMeeting,aCV/resumereview,andvarious
accreditationandcertificationstandards. Thespecificelementsofthese
jobrelatedpresentations. Thepresenterswillfocusonavarietyoftopics
threerecommendations,inaparaphrasedformat,are:
relating to the importance of professionalism when entering into the
Recommendation2: Inconformancewithstandardsincludingbutnot
forensic science field and will share knowledge with participants
limitedtoISO17025,standardterminologywillbeusedinreportingon
throughanopenquestionandanswerperiod.
and testifying about the results of forensic science investigations.
It is the goal of the YFSF to foster relationships between the
Laboratory reports for different forensic science
participantsofthesessionwithpeersaswellasestablishedmembersof
disciplinesshouldspecifythresholdminimuminformationnecessaryfor
AAFSandtoprovideforasmoothtransitionfromstudent,toemerging
a proper interpretation of results included in the report documentation
scientist,toestablishedmember. WiththeForumgroupsettingandthe
andtestimony. Aspartoftheaccreditationandcertificationprocesses,
varietyofprogramsofferedthroughouttheweek,theYFSFwillnotonly
laboratories and forensic scientists should be required to utilize model
provide academic and relevant technical information to attendees, but
laboratoryreportswhensummarizingtheresultsoftheiranalyses. The
willalsocultivaterelationshipsthatwilllastthroughoutacareer.
terminologyusedinreportingandtestifyingabouttheresultsofforensic
YFSF,Special,Session
scienceinvestigationsmustbestandardized. Aside-by-sideanalysiswill
be presented comparing the existing reporting standards and
terminology definitions found in ISO 17025 with the ASCLD/LAB
supplemental requirements. Discussions will center on the need for
changesintheaccreditationprogramregardingterminologyandreport
writing.
Recommendation 4: To improve the scientific bases of forensic
scienceexaminationsandtomaximizeindependencefromorautonomy
withinthelawenforcementcommunity,Congressshouldauthorizeand
appropriateincentivefundsforallocationtostateandlocaljurisdictions
forthepurposeofremovingallpublicforensiclaboratoriesandfacilities
from the administrative control of law enforcement agencies or
prosecutors’offices. DiscussionswillexplorethesufficiencyoftheISO
17025standardsforscientificintegrityandautonomyoflaboratoriesin
lightoftheNRCreport.
Recommendation 7: Laboratory accreditation and individual
certificationofforensicscienceprofessionalsshouldbemandatoryand
all forensic science professionals should have access to a certification
process. In determining appropriate standards for accreditation and
certification, the [oversight body] should take into account established
4 *PresentingAuthor
and recognized international standards, such as those published by the sciences. This session will also provide an opportunity for Academy
InternationalOrganizationforStandardization(ISO). Noperson(public memberstoprovideinputandcommentarytotheSubcommitteeregarding
orprivate)shouldbeallowedtopracticeinaforensicsciencediscipline thepathforward.
ortestifyasaforensicscienceprofessionalwithoutcertification. WhiteHouse,NASReport,ForensicScience
Difficult challenges lie ahead for achieving realistic mandatory
certification. Possibilities exist within accreditation programs to
facilitate and provide opportunities for the functional equivalent of
certification. Options for certifications within the accreditation
frameworkwillbedebated.
Theprogramwillincludepresentationsbyallspeakers,followedby
questions from the moderator to the panel. The session will conclude
withquestionsfromtheaudiencetothepanelmembers.
ASCLD/LABAccreditation,NASReport,NASRecommendations
ES2 WhiteHouseSubcommitteeon
ForensicScience
Joseph P. Bono, MA*, Forensic Sciences Program, Indiana
University/Purdue University Indianapolis, 402 North Blackford Street,
Indianapolis, IN 46202; Kenneth E. Melson, JD*, Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco,Firearms,&Explosives,99NewYorkAvenue,Northeast,Suite5S
100,Washington,DC20226;MarkD.Stolorow,MBA,100BureauDrive,
Gaithersburg, MD 20899; and Duane Blackburn, MS, Office of Science
and Technology, 3524 International Court Northwest, Washington, DC
20008
Acriticalfirststephasbeentakeninournation’seffortstoimprovethe
scientific foundation of forensic science, as called for in the National
AcademiesofScience(NAS)reportStrengtheningForensicSciencesinthe
United States: APath Forward, as well as other reports. The National
ScienceandTechnologyCouncil(NSTC),undertheoversightoftheOffice
ofScienceandTechnologyPolicy,establishedaSubcommitteeonForensic
ScienceonJuly7,2009. TheNSTC,aCabinet-levelCouncilchairedby
the President of the United States, is the principal means within the
executive branch to coordinate science and technology policy. The
SubcommitteeonForensicSciencehasthreeco-chairs,oneeachfromthe
NationalInstituteforStandardsandTechnology,theDepartmentofJustice,
andtheOfficeofScienceandTechnologyPolicy. TheSubcommitteehas
fiveinteragencyworkinggroups(IWGs)eachofwhichfocusesonspecific
recommendationsoftheNASreport:
• Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation
(RDT&E)
• Standards,Practices,andProtocols
• EducationandEthics
• CertificationandAccreditation
• Outreach
TheSubcommitteeandIWGsarecomposedofindividualsrepresenting
federal,state,andlocalpubliccrimelaboratoriesandotherfederalandstate
governmentalbodies.
The Subcommittee is inviting AAFS members to meet with
Subcommitteeco-chairsandrepresentativesofeachIWGforanupdateon
progressbeingmadetodeveloprecommendationstoimprovetheforensic
*PresentingAuthor 5
BREAKFAST SEMINARS
Seattle 2010 Seattle 2010
BS1 The Child Sexual Abuse Accommodation Case presentations will discuss how untrained and unqualified
“experts,” Joe and Laurie Braga, used highly leading, suggestive
Syndrome (CSAAS): AMyth That Should
interviewing strategies, and the use of anatomically detailed dolls
be Banished From the Courts – Lessons detailed in the videotapes they maintained; and detail the multiple
From the Country Walk Case children interviewed by the same people who produced horrific and
bizarre stories of sexual assault, being satanically ritually abused by
maskedmen,snakes,drills,andotherobjects.
MohanNair,MD*,POBox849,SealBeach,CA90740;RobFriedman,
Theonlychildwhoapparentlyshowedphysicalevidenceofabuse
JD*,301SouthMonroeStreet,Suite401,Talahasse,FL32301
wasFranciscoFuster'sson,Noel,whotestedpositiveforgonorrheaof
thethroat;however,theevidencewasdestroyedthreedayslater,before
After attending this presentation, attendees will learn about the
thedefensehadanyopportunitytoretest. Thevalidityofthetestresults
concept of the Child Sexual Abuse Accommodation Syndrome
werequestionedandNoel,nowanadulthasrepeatedlyclaimedthathe
(CSAAS), current scientific support (or lack thereof), and concerns
wascoercedtomakefalseallegationsagainsthisfather. IleanaFuster,
aboutongoingmisuseofCSAASinthecourtroom.
Francisco’s wife and codefendant claims that she was, kept naked in
This presentation will impact the forensic science community by
solitary confinement and subjected to hypnotic brainwashing and
providing details of mental health professionals, lawyers, judges, law
coercedintotestifyingagainstherhusbandforareducedsentence.
enforcement, and child protection workers who deal with sexually
The Country Walk case is important in that the prosecution (and
abusedchildrenwillbemadeawareoftheongoingconcernsaboutthe
their experts) have insisted that it was an investigation and trialwhere
lackofvalidityofCSAASanditsharmfulimpactinlegalproceedings
everything was done “right.” It remains a high profile case, handled
involvingchildsexualvictimization.
closely by then Florida Attorney General Janet Reno, a case with
In the early 1980s, courts eagerly admitted expert testimony in
multiple appeals, one where academics continue to fight over at the
childsexualabuseprosecutionsbecauseofincreasedpublicawareness
presenttime. AtragicdifferencebetweenCountryWalkandtheother
of the problem of child sexual abuse. In 1983, Dr. Roland Summit
cases is that in the other cases, the courts reversed the findings.
published an article titled The Child Sexual Abuse Accommodation
FranciscoFusterremainsconvictedandinprison.
Syndrome(CSAAS)inordertodispelcertainmisconceptionsregarding
FalseMemories,RitualAbuse,AccommodationSyndrome
the behaviors of the sexually abused child. Summit classified the
reactionsofthesexuallyabusedchildintofivecategories: (1)secrecy;
(2) helplessness; (3) entrapment and accommodation; (4) delayed,
BS2 Fatal Forensic Moments — When
conflicted, and unconvincing disclosure; and (5) retraction. This
scientificallyunsubstantiatedandflawedtheorybecamethewellspring Murphy's Law Enters the Court of Law
of“expertevidence“inshowingthatachildhadbeensexuallyabusedin
thefaceofdatathatmaysuggestotherwise. SusanE.Morton,BA*,821KainsAvenue,SanBruno,CA94066
About a decade later, due to the concerns about the misuse of
CSAASasaCSAdiagnostictool,Summit,in1992,explainedthathis Thispresentationwilltakealight-heartedlookatsomeunexpected
1983 theory was a "clinical opinion and not a scientific instrument.” disasters experts have faced in court and lived to tell about. The
How meaningful this “retraction” was remains unclear in view of Dr. experienced expert may relive some or his or her own moments; the
Summit’sinsistence(atleastasof1994)thatthechildrenofMcMartin novicemaybeheartenedtolearnthathumanmomentscanbesurvived.
wereindeedabusedandthetunnelsunderthepreschoolarereal. This presentation will impact the forensic science community by
Much of the premise for Summit's Child Sexual Abuse providingperspectiveoncourtroommisadventuresandbenefitfromthe
AccommodationSyndromehasbeenfoundtobenottrue. Morerecent wisdomofthosewhohavesurvivedthem.
studies of disclosure do not suggest any association between the Weallprepareforthingsthatcangowrong,butwhataboutthose
relationship to the perpetrator and the delay. Higher disclosure rates thingsthatwereneverthoughtof? Thatcouldn’tpossiblyhappen? Just
wereassociatedwithincidentsofsexualabusethatinvolvedthreatsof howdoesanexpertmakeanaccidentalhead-firstsummersaultintothe
physicalinjuryratherthantheotherwayaroundasheclaimed. Onlya jury box look like part of a well prepared presentation? How did that
minorityofchildrenwhomadeclaimsofCSArecant. buggetintomyunderwearandwhereisitgoingnext? WhyamIsitting
Though no longer in the textbooks, with no new research that on the floor surrounded by splintered wood instead of on the witness
supports it in 20 years and overwhelming research that undermines its chair? All of these events were not related to the evidence being
premise,CSAAScontinuestoberolledoutintocourtsby“experts“to presentedoranythingelsethatanyonemighthaveimaginedhappening.
“rehabilitate” alleged victims whose accounts and circumstances lack Nooneblundered;fatesimplyintervened.
credibility. Arecent high profile case where CSAAS was used by the Manyoftheseeventshavebefallenthepresenter;otheryarnshave
prosecution involved the allegations against singer MichaelJackson in been gathered over a long career comparing notes with colleagues,
2006. CSAASisadangeroustheorythatfailstomeetthethresholdfor usuallywhileconsumingadultbeverages. Everyonehasastory—andI
Daubert, has done immense damage and no good, and needs to be amgratefulthatsomehavesharedtheirswithme. Iwillpassthemalong
banishedfromthecourtroom. and hope that you enjoy these tales as much as I have, and indeed, as
AnotablemisuseoftheCSAASisthe1984CountryWalk(Florida) muchastheparticipantsdo,nowatasafelyremotetime.
childmolestationcasewhichresultedina35-year-oldCubanimmigrant Theattendeemaygainsomeinsightinhowtosurvivedisastersor
being sentenced to 165 years in prison and shares the same bizarre atleastthewisdomtoknowthattheycanbesurvived. Humiliationis
characteristicsasotherinfamousCSAcasesofthatera: theMcMartin nottheendoflifeasweknowit. Egossurvive,careerssurvive,andthe
PreschoolcaseinManhattanBeachCalifornia,theKellyMichaels(Wee courtscarryon.
Care)caseinNewJersey,andtheLittleRascalscaseinNorthCarolina, Testimony,Disaster,Wisdom
allofwhichhavebeenreversed.
6 *PresentingAuthor
BS3 Cold Cases: An Evaluation Model BS4 Patriotism, Perseverance, andAdaptability –
for Investigators TheAmazingStoryofBattlefieldForensics
James M.Adcock, PhD*, 1812 Rambling Rose Lane, Hattiesburg, MS David Wikoff, BA, United States Army Intelligence Center, USAIC, Fort
39402; and Sarah L. Stein, MFS*, 1812 Rambling Rose Lane, Huachuca,AZ; and Michael J. Salyards, PhD*, 4930 North 31st Street,
Hattiesburg,MS39402 ForestPark,GA30297
Afterattendingthispresentation,attendeeswill: (1)understandthe
Afterattendingthispresentation,theattendeeswillbebriefedonsome roleofforensicscienceintheexpeditionaryenvironment;and(2)learn
ofthereasonswhytheUnitedStateshassomanycoldcases(unresolved thehistoryofbattlefieldforensics.
homicides). Theywillthenlearnhowtoconductanorganizedapproachof This presentation will impact the forensic science community by
analyzing and evaluating old investigations with a view towards an discussing a transformational application of forensic science and
accurateresolutionwithasuccessfulprosecution. highlightsthededicationandingenuityofseveralkeyplayers.
This presentation will impact the forensic community by providing This presentation recalls the story of three men who transformed
law enforcement agencies with a finite, scientific approach to the thewayforensicscienceisusedonthebattlefield. During2004–2005,
evaluation process for unresolved homicides. If the model is diligently DavidWikoff, Greg Pitsenberger, and John “Crit” Bartley accepted an
followeditshouldsignificantlycontributetothesolvabilityofthesecrimes. experimental mission in Iraq to identify combatants hiding within the
In the United States, there are literally thousands of unresolved local populace by recovering latent fingerprints. Their efforts led the
homicidesandconsideringthepastandpresentclearanceratesthathover movement to permanently implement forensics in the expeditionary
around62%,thisnumberofcoldcaseswillincreaseovertime. Thecauses environment. Interviewsoftheseheroeswithpicturesandstatisticswill
ofthephenomenaaremanyandwhilenotdetailedinthislecturesomeof be used to tell this impressive story and show the effectiveness of
the significant reasons will be mentioned as a backdrop to the forensicscienceinthetacticalarena.
proposedmodel. In2004,ImprovisedExplosiveDevices(IEDs)weretheleadkiller
ThisColdCaseEvaluationModelwasspecificallydesignedtoassist oftroopsinthewarinIraq. TheNationalGroundIntelligenceCenter
investigators and others through a regimented step by step process of wastaskedtofightthenetworkofinsurgentsresponsibleforIEDs. As
reviewingandanalyzingunresolvedhomicides. Itisalsosuggestedthat a part of that effort, they proposed a 30 day experimental forensic
anyone adopting this model should seriously consider the utilization of technicianprogramtodeterminetheusefulnessofobtainingfingerprints
members from the private sector such as doctors, professors, nurses, inthistacticalenvironment.Basedonhisbroadexperienceasaformer
business people and/or graduate students, etc., to conduct the evaluation Marineanddetective,DaveWikoffwaschosentobethefirstpersoninto
underthedirectsupervisionofatleastoneseniorpolicedetective. Thiswill Iraq to recover latent prints from IEDs. But after he arrived, he was
bringanotherdimensiontotheprocessastheseevaluatorswillhavefresh initially prohibited from taking fingerprints. So, after reading
eyes and perspectives that are not jaded or biased by prior law recommended electronics books, he began producing technical
enforcementexperience. intelligence reports that mapped the circuitry of IED devices. This
Themodelisbasedonthepremisethateachinvestigationhasthree collectiveeffortledtoanamazingjourneyacrossthecombatzonewhich
majoraspectsconsistingofphysicalevidence,informationalevidence(e.g., involvedbeingshotatbysniperfire,rocketattacks,dragginginsurgent’s
interviews, canvassing results, records checks, etc.), and the behavioral dead bodies behind points of cover to obtain their postmortem
actions of both the victim and suspect(s). It contains numerous team fingerprints,andprocessingbodypartsforforensicvalue. Theseefforts
meetingsduringeachofthefourphaseswheretheinformationisfleshed eventuallyledtotherecoveryoflatentfingerprints,toxicologysamples,
out and the question? “How Do We Know That?” is answered with explosive residue samples, and DNA samples from of numerous post
confidenceandproperdocumentation. blast IED attack sites and deliberate operations. Soon after, he would
Therearefourphasestothemodelthatshouldbefollowedwithout meetsoldierswithmaterialtheyhadsavedforhimtofingerprint.
exception. Phase I is the process of determining solvability factors and Ononeoccasion,hereceivedrocketlaunchertubesusedinarecent
organizationofthecasefileintocategoriesfollowedbyalphabeticaland attack. Inside of the tape used to hold the weapon together, he
chronologicallistingofinformationundereachcategory. PhaseIIlistsall discovered latent prints. However, Mr. Wikoff’s original forensic
the physical evidence, correlates it to the information in the file, and equipmentdidnotprovidethecapabilitytoobtainprintsfromtheinside
suggests further testing. It also contains a comprehensive witness list. oftape. Usinganolddetectivetrick,hemixedfingerprintpowder,hand
Furthermore,PhaseII,providesthevictimologyanddesignstimelinesas soapandwater,andappliedthemixturetothetape. Holdingthecamera
dictatedbytheinformationinthecasefile. InPhaseIII,relationshipcharts with one hand and an alternate light source with the other, Wikoff
are designed, logic trees for evidence and other concerns are developed, crouched under an old tarp to take pictures. Soon Mr. Wikoff was
suspectologyforallsuspectsisidentifiedalongwithsuggestedinterview processing rocket launchers and other more relevant material. Mr.
strategies for the investigative plan. Finally, in Phase IV the group WikoffwasawardedtheSuperiorCivilianServiceMedalfor“Courage
discussesandidentifiespre-,peri-,andpost-offensebehaviorsrelatingto Under Fire, Perseverance, and Persistence.” Despite being recognized
allsuspects,listsallprosandconsforeachsuspect,preparesathorough forhissuccess,Mr.Wikoffprivatelyagonizedhehadnottrulymadea
investigativeplan,andwritestheevaluationreport. differencetothewarfighter. HeservedasashorttimeasaBiometric
Theapplicationofthiscoldcaseevaluationmodelwillreducetime IntelligenceAnalyst. Onedayhereceivedarequesttoresearchalatent
and resources in identifying what is solvable and will provide the printmatchandassumedthatitwasanFBIgeneratedmatch,butashe
investigators with a detailed plan of how to successfully resolve the dugintothecaseheopenedtheimageofthelatentprintandrecognized
investigationwithaviewtowardsprosecution. the fluorescent ridges. It was a match to the rocket launcher tape he
ColdCases/Homicides,EvaluationModel,Investigators photographedonhiskneeswiththetarpthrownoverhisback.
BattlefieldForensics,LatentFingerPrints,ImprovisedExplosive
Devices
*PresentingAuthor 7
BS5 ATale of Two Fetishes –ACase of Sexually world’spopulationcontinuestoincreaseanddevelopmentextendsinto
previouslyruralareas. Thispresentationwillfocusonthemanagement
Motivated Murder
ofaviationdisastersutilizingthecrashofNorthwestAirlinesFlight255,
NorthwestAirlinesFlight1482,andComAirFlight3272asexamples.
RobertJ.Morton,MS*,FederalBureauofInvestigation,
Withoutproperplanning,preparation,andpractice,amassdisaster
CIRG/NCAVC,FBIAcademy,Quantico,VA22135
can be the “second disaster” for the medical examiner’s office. The
initial step in any mass disaster is to enlist local law enforcement to
securethescenetoensuresafetyforemployees,limittamperingwiththe
Afterattendingthispresentation,attendeeswillbeexposedtothe
scene, and prevent theft of personal effects of victims. All scene
bizarre nature of fantasy involved in sexually
personnel should wear photo identification badges without exception.
motivatedmurder.
Initialevaluationinvolvesformulatingaplanusingthemagnitudeofthe
This presentation will impact the forensic science community by
casualties,victimconditions,location,andlikelyidentificationmethod.
highlighting different fetishes that are seen in cases of sexually
Bodyrecoveryisavitalstepandusuallyoccursafterthescenehas
motivatedmurderandpresentingthedepthofthesetypesofproclivities.
been secured. The body recovery team includes a medical examiner
This presentation is designed to highlight a unique sexually
office investigator, law enforcement, photographer, and scribe. Agrid
motivated murder and the unusual fetishes displayed by the offender.
system should be used to mark the location of bodies discovered.
This presentation will impact the forensic community by highlighting
Photographicdocumentationofthevictim,personaleffects,andlocation
the bizarre behavior that manifests itself in sexually motivated murder
shouldoccurpriortobodytransport. Arefrigeratedtruckshouldbeused
cases,includingtheinteractionswiththevictimandthescopeoffantasy
fortransporttothetemporarymorguetopreventfurtherdecomposition
fetishmaterialthatoffendersmaintain.
ofbodies. Inanaviationdisaster,ahangerandwarehouseclosetothe
The FBI’s National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime
crash scene can be used as a temporary morgue facility. A Disaster
(NCAVC)isroutinelyconsultedbyfederal,state,andlocalauthoritiesin
Portable Morgue Unit is available from the Federal Disaster Mortuary
a variety of cases of bizarre and repetitive violent crimes, especially
Operational Response Team and contains forensic equipment,
homicides. NCAVC assistance was requested by local authorities in
computers, scientific supplies, as well as digital, dental, and
regardstoacaseinvolvingthemurderofalocalwomanwhowasfound
photographicequipmentforatemporarymorgue. Themorguefacility
dumpedintheruralareaofthecounty. Thevictimhadbeenstrangled
should have multiple areas to be able to accommodate receipt of the
andsexuallyassaulted.
body, to conduct victim property inventory, body assessment and
The victim worked as a waitress and was last seen leaving work
autopsy, dental identification, fingerprinting, photographic
afterhershift. Theinvestigationquicklyfocusedonapossiblesuspect,
documentationofprocess,andbodystorage. Afamilyassistancecenter,
a local dentist who frequented the restaurant where the victim worked
usuallyfacilitatedbytheairline,shouldobtainantemortemrecordssuch
andhadwhatwasdescribedasanunusualinterestinthevictim. After
asdental,medical,andx-raysfromfamiliesandprovideroomsfordeath
beingquestionedbythepolice,thesuspectattemptedtocommitsuicide.
notificationandgriefcounseling.
After forensic evidence showed that the victim had been in the
To effectively manage a mass disaster, the medical examiner’s
suspect’s vehicle, the suspect was arrested. During questioning, the
officeshouldhaveawrittenmassdisasterplanandparticipateinregular
suspectstatedthatheandthevictimhadengagedinconsensualsex,and
mockdrills.
the victim “accidently” died. The suspect panicked and removed the
MassDisaster,AviationDisaster,Airplane
victimfromhisresidenceanddisposedofherbody.
The suspect also confessed to have several fetishes including
necrophiliaandafootfetish. Heclaimedhehadbegunthisobsession
BS7 School Bus Crash and Olga Franco:
with feet and dead bodies as a result of his being exposed as a dental
studenttothemorgueaftertheOklahomaCityBombingcase. Hestated The Rest of the Story
that since that time he was very interested in both areas and collected
picturesandvideosthatutilizedthosethemes. Heevenpaidacompany Donn N. Peterson, MSME*, Peterson Engineering, Inc, PO Box 664,
tomaketwomoviesinvolvingbothfetishes. Brainerd,MN56401-0664
The suspect was also investigated for several other murders that
hadoccurredinOklahoma. Hewasindicted,eventuallypleadedguilty Afterattendingthispresentation,participantswilllearnhowbiases
tomurder,andwassentencedtolifeinprison. andprejudicesofmultiplepartiescanadverselyaffecttheoutcomeina
This case highlights the need to understand paraphilias and other highprofilehighwayaccidentcase.Exampleswillbegiventoshowbias
bizarre sexual practices that manifest at crime scenes of and prejudice on the parts of first responders, investigating officers,
sexuallymotivatedmurder. newsmedia,statepoliceaccidentreconstructionist,prosecutor,andjury.
ForensicScience,SexuallyMotivatedMurder,Fetish They will also gain affirmation that simplified analyses can lead to
significanterrorsinanaccidentreconstruction.
This presentation will impact the forensic science community by
BS6 Management of a Mass Disaster demonstrating how biased and incomplete analyses can lead to
significant errors in an accident reconstruction and to a wrongful
convictionofapersonwhoisnotguiltyofthecharges. Preconceived
Sawait Kanluen, MD*, Chulalongkorn University, Department of
notions of physical phenomena may be wrong and difficult to view
ForensicSciences,254PhayathaiRoad,Bangkok,10330,THAILAND
objectively.
On February 19, 2008, a cold winter afternoon in southwestern
After attending this presentation, attendees will learn a systemic
Minnesota, an eastbound minivan “blew” through a stop sign and
approachtomanagingamassdisasterutilizingmajoraviationdisasters
crashedintotherightsideofasouthwestboundschoolbusinanopen
asexamples.
country intersection. The school bus went out of control, continued
This presentation will impact the forensic science community by
moving southwest while rotating clockwise such that its rear end
allowingattendeestolearnhowtointegratescientific,operational,and
occupiedmostoftheoncominglane. Anortheastboundpickupcrashed
scenemanagementatamassdisastersite.
intotherearleftsideoftheschoolbus. Theschoolbuscametoreston
Casualties from mass disasters such as earthquakes, fires,
itsleftsideinthenortheastboundlanesouthwestfromtheintersection
hurricanes, and aviation disasters are becoming more frequent as the
8 *PresentingAuthor
facingsouthwest. Itsrearaxlewasseparated,anditcametorestnear function of the office and her abilities as a medical examiner. Perhaps
therearendoftheschoolbus. Thepickupcametorestuprightonthe surprisingly, the presenter has found that these forays into the world of
northeastboundshoulderfacingnorthwestwithitsfrontendbeneaththe "educationalentertainment"haveactuallyenhancedheroffice'sreputation
schoolbusleftside. Theminivancametorestuprightinthesouthwest andhelpedherbecomeabetterandmorecompassionatemedicalexaminer.
bound lane facing northeast about 1½ car lengths southwest from the Thepresentationwillalsocoverthegrowingseparationbetweenthe
intersection. Four student passengers in the school bus were fatally media'sexpectationsandtherealityofthejobofmedicalexaminerandwill
injured and eleven others suffered personal injuries. Olga Franco, an reviewtheconflictswhichinevitablyarisefromthisdichotomy. Avariety
illegalimmigrantfromGuatemala,wasfoundonthedriver’sseatofthe of suggested do's and don'ts for media interactions will be offered,
minivanownedbyherboyfriendwithherrightfoottrappednearthefoot includinghardlearnedadviceonpitfallstoavoid.
pedals,andnooneelsewasfoundintheminivan. MediaRelations,MedicalExaminerandthePress,PopularCulture
Olga Franco, who speaks little or no English, consistently states andPathology
throughinterpretersthatherboyfriendwasthedriverandthatshewas
the front seat passenger. They were on their way to work and would
havemadea580leftturnattheintersection. Herboyfriendwasnever
found. Shewastreatedinahospital,incarcerated,chargedwithgross
negligenceinbeingthedrivercausingthefatalcrash,tried,convicted,
andsentenced.
Many persons bought into the preconceived notion of physical
phenomenathatitwouldbeimpossibleforOlgaFrancotobefoundon
thedriver’sseatwithherrightfoottrappednearthefootpedalsunless
she had been the driver. They went on to conclude simply that Olga
Francomustbelyingwhenshesaysherboyfriendwasthedriver.
Thefrequentnewsmediareportscontainedonlyselectedelements
from the events for their story. Most of the public following these
reportswerenotevenawarethatthepickuphadbeeninvolved. They
also were not aware that tests of blood on the minivan’s deployed
airbagsshowedtheDNAdidnotmatchOlgaFrancobutwerefroman
unidentified male. Very few news media sources reported that Olga
Francohadsaidherboyfriendwasthedriverwithlittleornofollowup.
Engineeringanalysesshowhow,inacrashlikethis,aminivanfront
seat passenger would be moved toward the driver’s seat and a driver
would,inacrashlikethis,bemovedtowardtheopeneddriver’sdoor.
This concept is contrary to the previously referenced preconceived
notion of physical phenomena and was totally disregarded by the
prosecutionandthejury.
Engineering analyses also showed that the second crash with the
pickup was several times more severe than the first crash with the
minivan. Thus,thesecondcrashwiththepickupmostprobablycaused
thesevereinjuriesandfatalitiestothestudentsontheschoolbus. Post
collisionspinninginyawbytheminivanaccountedforabout2.5times
as much kinetic energy as that due to linear translation. Thus, any
analyses that do not account for the spinning effects are subject to
significanterrorsinthepostcollisiondynamics.
AccidentReconstruction,Bias,Prejudice
BS8 Thomas Krauss Memorial Bite Mark
Breakfast: Forensic Pathology and
the Media
Jan C. Garavaglia, MD*, District 9 Medical Examiner, 1401 Lucerne
Terrace,Orlando,FL32806
Afterattendingthepresentation,theattendeeswill: (1)appreciatethe
complexinteractionsbetweenthemediaandtheforensicpathologist;and,
(2)bebetterpreparedtodealwithmediarequestsandpressures.
Thispresentationwillimpacttheforensiccommunitybyprovidinga
uniqueperspectiveonmediarelations.
Theforensicpathologisthaslongbeentaughttokeepalowprofile
and to speak to the media as little as possible, and then only when the
investigation is complete. This presentation will offer the personal
experiencesoftheauthorwhohasfollowedasomewhatdifferentmodel–
onethathasincludedalongrunningsyndicatedTVshowaboutforensic
pathology as well as a book, and how these efforts have affected the
*PresentingAuthor 9