You are the investigator reading the story on the previous page and inspecting the picture of the scene. From the evidence available, make a case for what you think really happened. If you believe that other evidence is necessary, make a recommendation about what other evidence might need to be collected. Before you begin to write your report (letter, memo, report, or whatever medium you choose— you may use the memo shown in this week's LESSON: Writing a Toulmin Argument as a template if you wish), make sure you have answered the questions in Part 1, because you will use these pieces of evidence and warrants in making your case for Part 2. Also, remember to consider your rhetorical situation!
In your report, remember to complete the following:
1. Write the report to someone (your audience)
2. Describe the crime scene / what was found at the scene (intro and background).
3. Make a claim.
4. Present at least three pieces of evidence and the warrants (rules) that explain why this evidence is important to your claim —don't forget to use qualifiers in the warrants.
5. Make a recommendation about what should happen next or what more evidence is needed (conclusion).
6. Remember to sign your report (typing your name is fine).
To: Chief Investigator Johnson
From: Detective Smith
Date: January 15, 2023
Subject: Case Report on Suspicious Incident at 1234 Elm Street
Introduction:
On January 14, 2023, I was called to investigate a suspicious incident at 1234 Elm Street. The homeowner reported that their front door was found ajar with no signs of forced entry. Upon arrival, I observed the scene and found several key pieces of evidence that may shed light on what occurred.
Claim:
Based on the evidence collected at the scene, it appears that a burglary took place at 1234 Elm Street.
Evidence:
1. Bloodstains on the front doorknob: DNA testing is needed to determine the identity of the individual who left the bloodstains. The presence of blood suggests that a struggle may have occurred, and the DNA results could help identify the suspect.
Warrant: If the bloodstains match a known criminal's DNA profile, there is a high probability that they were involved in the burglary.
2. Broken window in the living room: The homeowner confirmed that the window was intact before leaving the house. The broken window suggests that someone may have entered the house through this point.
Warrant: The presence of a broken window provides physical evidence of a potential entry point for the burglar.
3. Missing jewelry and electronics: Upon further inspection, the homeowner discovered that several valuable items, including jewelry and electronics, were missing from the property. The missing items align with typical targets in a burglary.
Warrant: The missing items suggest that the purpose of the break-in was theft, further supporting the hypothesis of a burglary.
Recommendation:
I recommend conducting DNA testing on the bloodstains found at the scene to identify potential suspects. Additionally, interviewing neighbors to gather information on any suspicious activity in the area may help further the investigation.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Detective Smith