Kellan has been called to the scene of a murder. The lock on the victim's apartment door was broken, likely by a crowbar found in the doorway. The victim was found lying face down on the floor with a bullet in his back. Based on the condition of the apartment, it appears a struggle occurred between the victim and the murderer. There are several drops of blood located in the nearby kitchen, as well as a broken glass on the floor. Assuming this situation occurred in the late 1800s, which relatively new type of evidence would MOST likely be used to identify the killer?
A.
DNA samples taken from the hair and blood found on the floor
B.
motives of possible suspects based on information from the victim's wife
C.
fingerprints found on the crowbar and on the glass
D.
information obtained after examining the bullet under a comparison microscope
C. fingerprints found on the crowbar and on the glass. This was a time before DNA analysis and comparison microscopes, and motives of possible suspects were not always considered reliable evidence. However, fingerprint analysis was becoming a more widely accepted form of forensic evidence in the late 1800s.
What type of evidence found at a crime scene would a digital forensic scientist be most interested in?
A.
blood splatters
B.
bullets
C.
laptop
D.
journals
C. laptop. Digital forensic scientists specialize in the recovery, analysis, and preservation of electronic data for use in investigations and legal proceedings. Therefore, they would be most interested in electronic devices such as laptops, phones, and tablets found at a crime scene. These devices can contain important evidence such as emails, text messages, and internet browsing history that could link suspects to a crime.
Based on the given scenario in the late 1800s, the relatively new type of evidence that would most likely be used to identify the killer is fingerprints found on the crowbar and on the glass. To explain this, during the late 1800s, the identification of individuals based on their fingerprints became increasingly recognized as a valuable forensic technique.
Fingerprints can be unique to each individual and can leave behind distinct patterns when touched on different surfaces. By collecting and comparing fingerprints found at the crime scene, investigators could potentially identify the person responsible for the murder. This method of identification was a significant improvement in forensic science during that time.
Therefore, the correct answer would be option C: fingerprints found on the crowbar and on the glass.