The Cold Case Squad

Congressmen and Senators Shot in Alexandria

2017-06-16T18:29:00.001-04:00

Congressmen and Senators Shot in Alexandria

What started out as baseball practice ahead of the big charity event, a gunman opened fire on a number of politicians, shooting five. If it were not for the security team of Congressman Steven Scalise, this could have been a massacre. The question that everyone is asking, "Should we have security for our politicians?"

Chanel Lewis Arrested for the Rape and Murder of Karina Vetrano

2017-02-06T07:51:00.001-05:00

Chanel Lewis Arrested for the Rape and Murder of Karina Vetrano

Joe Giacalone on CBS 2 New York

It was a heinous crime.

Karina Vetrano left her Howard Beach, Queens home on a late afternoon in early August 2016 for a jog. Surveillance video from a residential camera should her jogging through her quiet neighborhood. It was a path to the marsh that she took almost daily with her father. Unfortunately, this time was her last.

Karina Vetrano Case Solved

2017-02-05T10:26:00.002-05:00

Howard Beach Jogger was Raped and Murdered

Reward Poster - photo by Joseph Giacalone

Karina Vetrano can rest easy now.

Karina's alleged killer, was brought in for questioning last night by members of the NYPD. A few hours later, he was under arrest. At the moment we don't know who the suspect is, but I'm sure that the media will be camped outside of the 106 Precinct in Howard Beach awaiting the "Perp Walk." That's when we will get the first glimpse of the attacker.

The Criminal Investigative Function: A Guide for New Investigators, 3rd Edition

2017-01-30T09:44:00.001-05:00

The Criminal Investigative Function: A Guide for New Investigators, 3rd Edition

After months of rewriting and editing the 3rd Edition of my textbook, it has finally been published! I think it was easier to write the first edition then the third.

The 3rd Edition is a complete rewrite of the 2nd Edition with changes in the law, forensic science, with new images and questions added to the end of each chapter.

There are four (4) entirely new chapters added to the text:

The Cold Case Squad Blogspot is Back!

2017-01-28T12:03:00.001-05:00

Joe Giacalone back at Cold Case Squad

Hi Everyone,

After trying different things like embedding the Cold Case Squad in my author site and other things, I have decided to decouple it. I believe the blog will work better as a stand alone. I never saw the same level of commenting, sharing and engagement when it was embedded within the website - it got lost. Maybe you have experienced similar issues with your blog, I'd like to hear about how you addressed it.

It's like starting over. Actually it is. I hope you give the blog another chance as I look to rebuild my audience. If anyone wants to guest blog, has ideas or suggestions, or case to highlight just shoot me an Email.

I look forward to speaking with you again,

Joe Giacalone

Joe Giacalone on Investigation Discovery Channel

2017-01-26T11:21:00.000-05:00

Joe Giacalone on Pandora's Box: Unleashing Evil

Unleashing Evil

Joe Giacalone was on the Investigation Discovery Channel Show, Pandora's Box: Unleashing Evil - Death Wish (Season 1, Episode #5)

In one of the most bizarre crimes you will ever hear of, Unleashing Evil keeps up with the Investigation Discovery Channel's tradition of keeping the audience guessing. Why on earth would anyone do this?

Here is the tease: A Park Ranger pulls over a truck, finds marijuana and a suspect flees into the desert. During the manhunt, investigators find one of the most bizarre crime scenes that you will ever see. That's not all they find. As their investigation continues, they delve deeper into the rabbit hole.

If you want to catch the episode, head over to Investigation Discovery Channel's Go.

Joe Giacalone and Dr. Henry Lee

2016-12-01T22:01:00.002-05:00

Joe Giacalone and Dr. Henry C. Lee

I had a great opportunity to sit down with Dr. Henry C. Lee, the world's leading forensic scientist. We had a great conversation in preparing for my new project, called Crime Study Challenges (CSC) launching soon.

Cold Case Squad's Home Page Has Changed

2013-05-25T17:46:00.001-04:00

Cold Case Squad Blog Has a New Home

Visit the new home for Cold Cases and Missing Persons

If you haven't ventured over to the new home for the Cold Case Squad, please check it out: http://www.ColdCaseSquad.com

A&E's New True Crime Doucmentary: The Killer Speaks

2013-04-17T16:35:00.001-04:00

Joseph L. Giacalone makes TV debut in The Killer Speaks

Cold Case Squad Blog Writer on Televison

By: Joseph L. Giacalone

On Thursday, April 18, 2013, at 10PM EST, Joseph L. Giacalone will make his television debut on A&E's new true crime documentary entitled, "The Killer Speaks." The Killer Speaks was developed by the creators of the popular show, The First 48.

Episode #2 is about spree murderer Makism Gelman. Dubbed "Mad Maks" by the media, murdered four people and wounded four more in a 28 hour rampage that left New York City on edge. Armed with a knife, Gelman, brutalized his vicitms. My role in the show is to walk the viewers through blood soaked crime scenes, the hunt for Mad Maks and to describe what happens during these types of investigations.

Please note, the home of the Cold Case Blog has changed. Please visit the Blog's new home and follow the updated feed by simply adding your email address.

This will be my final post on this site and all future posts will be on the new site.

I will be tweeting during the show using the hashtag #TheKillerSpeaks

Thanks and looking forward to your comments. I will see you on the new site.
Joe

Changes to the Cold Case Squad Blog

2013-03-28T12:55:00.002-04:00

Changes at the Cold Case Squad Blog

Cold Case Squad Blog gets a complete makeover!

By: Joseph L. Giacalone

March 28, 2013

My dear friends, readers and followers. With all of the new changes coming to Google, i.e. no more Reader and what have you, I have decided to embed the Cold Case Squad Blog into an entirely new site. You will still get the same great articles, insight and thoughts, with just a different look. I hope you enjoy the look and join me at the new home for Unsolved Crimes and Missing Persons.

The mission of the blog has not changed and all of the older posts are embedded in the new site as well. So, if you have written an article in the past, it has already been transferred over to the new site.

The domain: http://ColdCaseSquad.com will take you directly to the new site. Eventually the coldcasesquad.blogspotcom site will point to the new blog as well. You can follow the new feed by clicking the RSS feed at the top of page or just by signing up with your email at the top of the page.

There are new articles that you may have missed already! Everything else is staying the same.

Thanks for your continued support and as always, I appreciate any comments, thoughts, or concerns that you may have.

Joe

The Mob's Greatest Unsolved Hits: Albert Anastasia

2013-03-13T18:19:00.000-04:00

Albert Anastasia Gunned Down in Barber Shop

The Lord High Executioner's date with destiny

By: Joseph L. Giacalone

Albert Anastasia (1902 - 1957)

The United Stateshad just entered World War One, when a young Italian teenager named Umberto Anastasio and his brother Anthony, snuck off a cargo ship at a Brooklyn dock. It didn’t take the brothers long to control much of the rackets on the Brooklyn waterfront. It was here that Umberto worked as a longshoreman and changed his name to Albert Anastasia, in order to keep his family name from disgrace. Anastasia’s reputation landed him a job as a bodyguard for then crime boss Joe Masseria.

Albert was a tough kid and was known to have a very short temper. This became evident to all around him when at the age of twenty; he strangled and stabbed a fellow longshoreman to death. He was quickly dubbed the “Mad Hatter”. Albert was tried and found guilty. He was sentenced to fry in the Sing Sing Prison electric chair, but was granted a new trial when several witnesses to the murder recanted their stories. When it began, four of the primary witnesses disappeared unexpectedly. This was the first of five times Albert Anastasia managed to dodge the electric chair.

The Baseline: The First Step in Lie Detection

2013-03-11T00:19:00.000-04:00

The Baseline: A Key Indicator to Identifying Deception

Establishing a baseline is one of the most important steps in lie detection

By: Joseph L. Giacalone

Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire!

Raise your hand if you have ever been lied to? Yes, me too. That is like asking how many of you have ever gone to the bathroom? We have all deceived and we all have been lied to. The one question that remains about lying is: do we telegraph our deception? Identifying a change in the baseline may show that the person is not being entirely truthful.

What is a baseline? It is how the person normally talks, acts or non-verbally communicates. When I bring this topic up for discussion, I always ask the same question, "If you knew the person lied to you, why didn't you confront him / her?" That question is easier asked than answered. When you understand how a person acts under "normal" conditions (the baseline) it is easy to spot a break in their behavior. I am sure that you spotted the change, but chose to disregard it because the stakes were not that high.

Detectives and the Autopsy

2013-03-03T16:56:00.000-05:00

Autopsy Protocol for Investigators

Detectives play an important role at the autopsy

By: Joseph L. Giacalone

How many autopsies have I attended? Enough or that I have witnessed my fair share should be a sufficient answer. The autopsy is one of the most important steps in the death investigation, especially when the case is equivocal - a fancy investigative term meaning, "I have no idea what happened."

Detectives should be required to by department procedure to respond to every death (even in obvious cases), attend every autopsy and make sure that they are on time. The detective's role is more than that of observer, but to be an active participant as well.

DNA Exonerations: An Infographic

2013-03-01T15:48:00.001-05:00

DNA Exonerations

More than 300 People have been freed because of DNA

By: Joseph L. Giacalone

Since the first time DNA evidence helped overturn a conviction in 1989, more than 300 people have been cleared of crimes they did not commit with the help of such evidence. Here is a look at cases where DNA evidence has helped overturn convictions of those awaiting execution on Death Row.

Source: TopCriminalJusticeDegrees.org

Exclusive Video Raises Questions About Officer's Death

2013-02-22T23:55:00.004-05:00

Jersey City Officer Marc Dinardo

Question of Training Arises for SWAT Team

By:Joseph L. Giacalone

I made my television news debut this evening on Channel 7 New York, Eyewitness News.

Last year, SWAT member, PO Marc Dinardo was killed while attempting to take two individuals into custody that previously shot and wounded a Jersey City police officer as well as others. Unfortunately, upon entering the apartment where they were held up, Dinardo was shot numerous times and later succumbed to his wounds.

Officer Dinardo's wife is asking the Jersey City police to release records on the situation and has filed a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the City and the Department. Her question, why was the SWAT team sent in, when no one was in danger? The general rule is always isolate and contain, slow the situation down and use all of the time necessary to bring the situation under control.

Unfortunately, nothing will bring Marc Dinardo back, but other officer's may be saved if they learn exactly what transpired that morning.

The Role of Blood Testing in Solving Crimes

2013-02-21T11:15:00.000-05:00

The Role of Blood Testing in Solving

Blood Testing and DNA

By: Evelyn Pearce

Blood testing involves the meticulous process of processing DNA, a genetic substance called deoxyribonucleic acid, which is found in individual human cells. Today, it is an essential and powerful procedure that involves solving crimes, and is a very accurate criminal tool for justice cases. The last decade has experienced profound technological advances in prosecuting criminal cases as well as exonerating innocent victims of crimes. The use of DNA blood testing insures fairness and accuracy when used to identify persons who are suspected of perpetrating crimes of violence, such as assault and battery, rape and homicide.

The CODIS system, a DNA database, was implemented by the federal government in the late 1980s to store and exchange DNA profiles on the state, federal and local levels. The CODIS system operates by connecting all law enforcement agencies by sharing DNA evidence from various crime scenes. This allows instant profile matches for individual or serial criminal identification.

As much as 85 percent of the population are known as “secretors.” Secretors have blood DNA in their bodily fluids. Generally, a concise and complete DNA profile will occur in one or less than 100 billion unrelated samples

The Mysterious Disappearance of Jessie Foster

2013-02-18T15:40:00.000-05:00

Jessie Foster Missing Since 2006

May have been a victim of human trafficking

By: Glendene Grant

March 29, 2006, the course of my life changed dramatically, when my 2nd oldest daughter, Jessie Foster, went missing. We (her family and friends) knew from the first day that something was terribly wrong because Jessie was in constant contact with us every day she was away from home. It was after we hired a private investigator that I knew Jessie was in danger.

Jessie may have been lured from her home in Canada to the USA by a sex-trafficker who promised vacations and the like. Jessie was last seen at 1009 Cornerstone Place, Las Vegas, Nevada, with her boyfriend. What happened to Jessie after that is a mystery.

I did not have a choice for this to happen and neither did Jessie – but I have CHOSEN to do everything that is within my power to stop this from happening to others. I do not want another person to experience the unimaginable horror that Jessie has and I do not want another mother to suffer the agony of losing her daughter to such despicable people.

Since Jessie went missing, I have been crusading against human trafficking by educating students in our high schools, occasionally with the head of the Kamloops & District Crime Stoppers, Mark Price, and at colleges and universities in British Columbia, Canada, and other conferences and events around the country. Most times, fundraising the money for the expenses myself.

There have been at least 9 books written and published that include Jessie’s case: INVISIBLE CHAINS: Canada’s Underground World of Human Trafficking by University of British Columbia Assistant Professor of Law, now working in our Prime Minister, Stephen Harper’s office in our nation’s capital, Ottawa, ON, Benjamin Perrin and MEMOIRS OF A SEX SLAVEby human trafficking survivor and the founder of the human trafficking organization, Walk-With-Me, Timea Nagy.

Jessie has also been featured in documentaries such as: E! Entertainment’s YOUNG, BEAUTIFUL & VANISHED: 15 Unthinkable Crimes and news reports focusing on human trafficking via television, newspaper, radio and internet media, including America’s Most Wanted, the Montel Williams Show and many, many others. I call my daughter “the most well-known unknown missing person” in the the world.

Jessie quickly became Canada’s poster-child for human trafficking. What has happened to Jessie has prompted me to start my own advocacy initiative to combat human trafficking entitled M.A.T.H.Mothers Against Trafficking Humans, on Facebook with over 12,000 members in the group and cause.

I will find Jessie or die trying. I will do anything I can to combat the crime that took my daughter away from her family and friends – away from her life. I will continue to educate others and I will counsel families and help turn victims into survivors.

There is a reward for this case and anyone with information is requested to call Las Vegas Crime Stoppers.

Thank you,
Glendene Grant

Related Articles:

Missing Persons Checklist
Solving Missing Persons Cases with NamUs
Like the Cold Case Squad on Facebook
The Trifecta of Evil: Mass Murderers, Spree Killers and Serial Killers

Top 30 Criminal Justice Blog Award

2013-02-13T11:47:00.003-05:00

Top 30 Criminal Justice Blog Award

ColdCaseSquad.com Blog enters list at #27!

By: Joseph L. Giacalone

I was just notified that my blog, Cold Case Squad, has been selected as one of the top 30 Criminal Justice Blogs for 2012! I am very proud of this and it shows what I am doing here is worth it. It debuted on the list of 30 top blogs at #27, so there is plenty of work ahead of me.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of my readers, especially my followers. It is because of you that I have been recognized. I hope to provide more valuable content in the future.

As always, I encourage input, advice, articles and any comments.

Thank you,

Joe

If you would like to see my other blog awards, please visit the tab above.

New Senate Bill Would Allow DNA Samples From Suspects

2013-02-06T11:35:00.001-05:00

Senate Bill 150 Set For Vote

DNA sample from suspects charged with serious crimes

By: Joseph L. Giacalone

Senator Dominic Pileggi has sponsored Bill 150 which would require a DNA swab from suspects charged with serious crimes. As usual, the U.S. Government is far behind the times in it's thinking. Twenty six states, including most recently New York, has already past a law which requires a DNA sample to be taken upon arrest.

Many States started requiring DNA after the horrific case of Katie Sepich from New Mexico. Katie was raped and brutally murdered in 2003. Police recovered DNA from the scene that matched an individual in the CODIS Forensic Database - AKA the Unknown database, or DNA profiles from crime scenes. Gabriel Avila had been arrested numerous times for lesser crimes, but no DNA samples where taken. If DNA was taken from Avila for any of those other arrests, it would have been matched in the Forensic Database, therefore stopping him in his crime spree. At the time, a DNA sample could only been taken after a felony conviction. This case was the seminal issue for DNA collection that has become known as Katie's Law.

This Senate Bill is already being challenged by the American Civil Liberties Union as Unconstitutional, but with so many states already practicing it and it also has an endorsement from President Obama. So, I believe the Democratically controlled Senate will pass the bill requiring all 50 states to collect DNA upon arrest for violent crimes.

I'd like to read your comments, both pro and con to this Bill.

Related Articles:

3 Ways Police Lawfully Obtain DNA Exemplars

Colorado DNA Law Paying Immediate Dividends

Bill Calls for DNA Upon Arrest

DNA: Just One of the Many Law Enforcement Tools

Ohio Supreme Court Affirms Keeping DNA Forever

The Trifecta of Evil: Mass Murder, Spree and Serial Killers

2013-02-01T09:59:00.002-05:00

Mass Murder, Spree and Serial Killers

Basic Training Video for the Trifecta of Killers

By: Joseph L. Giacalone

Unfortunately, we have had a number of serial. spree and mass murders, culminating in one of the most horrific events that this nation has witnessed, the murder of 26 children and faculty in Newtown, Connecticut.

I have prepared a short basic training video that defines the three (3) types of killers that law enforcement deals with from time-to-time. Having an understanding of what you are dealing with, allows a more productive approach in solving or stopping the event.

The three (3) basic killers used in psychological profiling are:

Mass Murderer

Spree Killer

Serial Killer

Not mentioned in the video are the two (2) subsets of mass murderers. They are "Classic" and "Family" mass murderers. The classic mass murder is defined as the killing of four (4) or more people at the same location. The family mass murderer kills four (4) or more family members.

Related Articles:

Cause of Death vs. Manner of Death

The Cold Case Squad on YouTube

Being a Good Samaritan Costs Daniel Lacross Sr. His Life

2013-01-28T11:27:00.002-05:00

The Murder of Daniel Lacross Sr. Still Unsolved After 35 Years

Stopped along the highway to aid a female that was being beaten

By: Joseph L. Giacalone

Photo Courtesy of Dan Lacross Jr.

Daniel Lacross Sr., acted as a good Samaritan on the night of March 22, 1977, when he pulled over on the southbound ramp on Ohio Route 7 near the town of Brilliant, Ohio, where an unknown male and female had been fighting. Dan Lacross was repaid for his good willed gesture with a bullet through the heart.

The details of the event are sketchy. It seems as if Dan and his brother-in-law had just left the bar and was heading home when they stopped to assist the female who was being beaten in the street. When the shots rang out, his brother-in-law took cover behind the car and was able to get a plate number, but in the confusion may have made an error.

There has been little movement in the case. However, according to a WTOV 9 News report, a denim cap and a stem from a pair of glasses were recovered at the crime scene. If those items were secured properly, and are still available, they may yield the DNA evidence necessary to break open the case.

There is another witness to the events that transpired that night. A truck driver had phoned in the incident, but did not remain at the scene for police to arrive. That driver may have the information required to solve the case, only if he comes forward. Daniel’s widow, Barbara and their three sons have been waiting for justice now for over 35 years.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Detective Division of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department at 740-283-8611.

You can also submit an anonymous tip through Central Ohio Crime Stoppers

DNA: Just One of Many Law Enforcement Tools

2013-01-21T16:39:00.000-05:00

DNA: One of Many Tools Used by Law Enforcement

DNA has shaped the investigative world forver

By: Evelyn Pence

DNA Only One Tool Used by Cold Case Investigators to Solve Crimes

Anyone who watches criminal investigation television shows is familiar with DNA as a crime-fighting tool. In 1987, Tommie Lee Andrews was the first person ever to be put in prison as a result of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) evidence. He was convicted of rape and ordered to spend 22 years behind bars.

This type of evidence was also a key factor in the arrest and subsequent conviction of Gary Ridgway, the "Green River Killer." Ridgway pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 48 life sentences, to be served consecutively.

Viewers and the public have come to expect that DNA is part and parcel of an investigation. It is a valuable tool for investigators who are looking into cold cases, but it is only one part of the equation. The public can't expect it to be something magical when the truth is that it is more like a match.

DNA Like a Match

A simple match can be used to make fire in the right conditions. It needs something to strike against, though, or it won't work properly. DNA works in the same way in a cold case investigation.

If samples were taken at the crime scene, they sit until the investigators have something (or someone) to compare them to. This is not to say that the samples are useless or have no value, any more than the match cannot be used. It is merely waiting for the right circumstances to be lit.

Cold Case Investigators a Second Set of Eyes

Taking another look at the evidence or having a new investigator review the evidence that has been gathered to date can be a valuable exercise. Re-interviewing witnesses can bring new information to light and confirm their version of events. The "new" interview can be compared with the original one to see if the story is similar or if there are any discrepancies that warrant further questioning.

The inquiries may bring up facts that turn the investigation in a new direction. Some people will be eliminated as suspects, while others may not be able to be crossed off as easily. In the case of a murder or missing person investigation, a basic line of questioning will cover whether the person had life or business insurance and who stood to benefit from the relevant cover policy. No doubt the insurance company will want to see the case wrapped up as soon as possible since many of them will not pay out on a claim until it it is solved, but the police will need to do their due diligence to bring the matter to an appropriate conclusion.

DNA Not Helpful in All Cases

In the United States, DNA collected from a crime scene may be compared to samples on file with CODIS ("Combined DNA Index System"), the FBI's National Index System. If a match is not found, the sample is run against a state database of convicted offender and arrestee profiles to look for one.

It's possible that the person responsible for a crime is not in the system, which means that running the sample through CODIS or a similar system is a bit like looking for the proverbial needle in a haystack. This step is necessary to rule out a hit. Finding a match in a few seconds makes for a great television show, but it is probably not very realistic when it comes to solving cold cases in real life.

Grunt Work Still Necessary to Solve Crimes

The real work of solving these types of cases comes back to doing the "grunt" work of going through the evidence, talking to witnesses, and putting the pieces of the puzzle together. When a suspect is found that may be linked to the crime scene, then it's time to strike the DNA match to see whether that person was present at the time.

If he or she was there, the evidence will support that fact. The case leading to that person as the perpetrator still needs to be built from the ground up the old fashioned way. That is not something that can be shown in a 60-minute television program, so it isn't included. It does make for good, reliable police work, though. The case against someone has to stand up in court so that the guilty are convicted of their crimes.

Related Articles:

3 Ways Police Obtain DNA Lawfully

Familial DNA the Savior for Cold Cases?
Are Investigators Relying Too Much on DNA?

Did the failure of police hurt investigation?

2013-01-13T19:57:00.002-05:00

Young Mother Found Murdered in Trunk

Would the use of the Emergency Exception to the 4th Amendment Helped?

By: Joseph L. Giacalone

Ebony Jackson
St. Louis Crime Stoppers

Breckenridge Hills, MO

- I was interviewed for this case in the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

Ebony Jackson, a young mother, was found in the trunk of her car by police days after waiting to obtain a warrant to turn on her vehicle's GPS device according to reports and public outcry. The victim's family and the public are upset about what is perceived as a lack of urgency by the Breckenridge Hills Police Department to find Ms. Jackson and now to solve the case.

In this situation, the police should have found themselves using the Emergency Exception to the 4th Amendment instead of losing valuable time. The exigent circumstances in this particular case would have allowed a lawful search of any location, in this case an auto, without obtaining a warrant, because there is an immediate need to preserve life. The Emergency Exception can also be used to prevent evidence from being destroyed. There is no guarantee that if they would have found the car earlier that Ebony Jackson would still be alive. There is all likelihood that the mother was already dead, but you cannot assume this when someone could be taking their last breaths.

The Breckenridge Hills Police is a very small department and has asked the St. Louis Police to aid in the investigation. Ms. Jackson's baby was found safe in an abandoned apartment house. More than likely, after Ms. Jackson was murdered, the perpetrator(s) decided to ensure the child's safety, which would mean to me a certain level of reasoning.

Unfortunately, this is a trend that we have seen before. Smaller police departments in suburban areas lack the funds for the proper police training and the experience of handling major investigations. There is no magic pill to fix this issue, however, police administrators can tap into the wider range of police experience from their closest largest municipality. Inner city police departments often deal with more cases, so they would be able to share their experiences.

The police are asking anyone with information to please call Crime Stoppers at 1-866-371-8477. All callers and information will be kept strictly confidential. You can even submit a tip online.

To read more about this case and my interview

After reading about the case, what do you think the police should have done? What should they be doing?

Related Articles:

The Importance of Proper Evidence Handling
5 Reasons Why Cases Go Cold
6 Mistakes to Avoid at a Crime Scene

The Importance of Proper Evidence Processing

2013-01-11T10:08:00.003-05:00

The Importance of Proper Evidence Handling

Cases are often lost due to evidence mismanagement

By: Evelyn Penny

The Importance of Proper Evidence Processing

2013 J. Giacalone

There are a number of criminal cases that ultimately end up on the shelves unattended for years merely due to lack of evidence and the criminals roam free without baring the proper consequences of their actions. The crime scene can be a complicated puzzle with so many potential leads, which are overlooked simply due to inadequate processing of the evidence. It is due to this inefficient evidence processing that some of the criminal cases remain unresolved. There are a number of implications to the cases remaining unresolved, and one of the major implications is the non-recovery of the insurance claim. Some insurance companies require the case to be resolved before the insurance claim is processed, and in case of a cold case, the insurance claim is also left unattended. As unfortunate this fact is, it can be avoided to a significant extent.

Steps for Proper Evidence Processing

The evidence present at the crime scene can play a vital role in leading towards the criminal, therefore, it should be treated very carefully. The evidence containing individual characteristics can be known as having originated from a specific source or a person, and that directs towards that source or a person. The examples of evidence containing individual characteristics are; fingerprints, footprints, striation marks on a fired bullet, DNA profile obtained from a bloodstain, nails, scratches etc. There are three major steps involved in evidence processing, i.e. analyzing physical evidence, obtaining expert testimony, and proper collection and preservation of physical evidence.

The first step is the proper analysis of the evidence obtained while the evidence is at the crime scene. This provides the expert with an opportunity to run a simulation of the crime. The way things are placed around the crime scene can provide sufficient lead to solve the case.

The second step is providing or obtaining an expert testimony. There are different experts in case of different physical evidences. If the evidence includes organic or inorganic matter, the testimony can be obtained from experts who hold expertise in that field. If the evidence includes fingerprints or footprints, the relevant expert should be consulted.

The final step may be the most important step; the proper collection of evidence. There is a high level of risk for the evidence getting contaminated from external factors, so it should be ensured that the evidence is collected exactly in the condition in which it was found at the crime scene.

For example, if the major part of physical evidence are glass particles, these should be analyzed by the forensic scientist, the forensic scientist should provide or obtain expert testimony regarding the physical evidence obtained from the scene, and he should conduct proper collection and preservation of the specks of glass obtained. The proper method of collecting and preserving glass evidence, specifically small fragments, is:

If several glass objects are found broken, packaging the glass fragments obtained separately.
Thoroughly checking the subject for glass particles and wrapping the articles containing glass in clean paper or plastic bags.
Using a vial to package the glass fragments.
Packaging known glass fragments and questioned fragments separately.
Sealing and labeling the container with identifying information about the physical evidence obtained, such as the location where the fragments were found and the data of submission.
Collecting comparison samples.

Methods of Examination of Physical Evidence and Its Importance

At times, the physical evidence can be of such a nature that it cannot be examined easily. For example, an item may look like a certain material, but in reality, it is something completely different. Therefore, there are two major methods of examination of physical evidence; physical identification of the evidence and comparison of the evidence.

In a criminal case with not enough leads, physical evidence is the only factor that holds the potential to lead the investigators to the individuals responsible for the crime. The solution of a criminal case is important for the processing of insurance claims, as well. Individuals with level term life insurance buy the policy to ensure that their dependents are provided with financial support, and in case of cold cases, that financial support is left out. In order to ensure that the insurance claims are provided to those who deserve them, criminal cases must be solved, and physical evidence must be processed properly.

Related Articles:

6 Mistake to Avoid at a Crime Scene
5 Reasons Why Cases Go Cold

Who Killed Chrissy?

2013-01-03T15:51:00.000-05:00

Who Killed Christine Casilio?

A True Crime Author Digs For the Truth

By: Beverley Simcic

Who Killed Chrissy? was a long spiritual journey for me, and one that has produced rewards of healing my psyche and releasing fear that I carried around for thirty years----writing a haunting memoir really does help the victims of secondary trauma murder cases to heal. The problem is that I didn't know I was a victim too. Being the person who was there with the murder victim and having all those feelings of being helpless and fearful, built up inside of me over many years, I felt I had to write the story. My story had to be told in order that I could have the satisfaction that I’d done all that I could to expose an unsolved murder.

I finally acquired the courage to write about it, and in doing so, have healed many of the wounds that I had stored up since Chris was murdered in 1982.

I didn’t know Christine Casilio well. She was not a close friend, just an acquaintance and a neighbor in an old apartment building we both lived in on Riverview Avenue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This made telling her story even more difficult, but I felt that telling it from beginning to end, and how we both hopped a plane for a vacation in Las Vegas together, was the key to pulling out my memories of the time we spent together in a town that has no mercy on anyone. In the process, I pulled out some memories that I didn't want, and they frightened me even more----this was, and still is, an unsolved mystery!

My book is not a typical true crime read, in that it does not have a court room scene, nor does it have a prosecution of a murderer. It is an unsolved murder mystery in true form. There are suspects; some of which stand out plainly, and some that lurk as the unnamed acquaintances that were just there----ones that no one may ever remember.

There are many unanswered questions in the murder of Christine Casilio, but the ones that look you in the eye and stare you down are the ones that haunt me….

Like, why would two Las Vegas homicide detectives walk into a gruesome scene of a partially naked woman hanging halfway into a water filled bathtub; her head submerged and covered up by the bed comforter, and then walk away casually and never have it declared a homicide? If they had, it would today be an official cold case, but it isn't----it is forgotten. Christine Casilio is forgotten----that is why I wrote my book.

About the Author:

I’ve been writing in various capacities all my life. Having been a four time entrepreneur and small business owner for thirty years, most of my writing has been for sales, marketing and promotional purposes. As a teen I wrote poetry.

Who Killed Chrissy was started in 2006, and with no real aspirations of publication at that time, it languished along and sat on my desk. After Amazon self publishing came along, I got more ambitious with my goals of publishing my book.

It turned into a six year journey until I finally finished the book. The research end of it was a daunting task for many years.

I will now be writing memoirs. My next book is a series of three, possibly five books in the Boomer Woman Diaries series, and will also be featured on Amazon Kindle.

You can follow Beverly on Twitter

Where to find the book:

Who Killed Chrissy? The True Crime Memoir of a Pittsburgh Girl’s Unsolved Murder in Las Vegas: available in paperback and Kindle on Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Who-Killed-Chrissy-Pittsburgh-Unsolved/dp/1480023647

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