Scott Peterson Case Summary
October 23rd 2011
SCI 183 Case Study: Scott Peterson- A case of Circumstantial evidence
Presented to Dr. Lyer
Presented
Student number
Department of Forensic Science
Ted Rogers School of Management/ Kerr Hall
Ryerson University
Case Study- Essay/Report
Use of physical evidence(DNA) and information- Scott Peterson: A case of Circumstantial Evidence
Throughout this report, I will be furthermore talking about the conviction of Scott Peterson regarding the murder of his 27 year old former college sweetheart, Laci Peterson. The reason why I chose to write about this case is because I was intrigued by the way Scott Peterson was proven guilty. After reading about this investigation I really prized the use and importance that …show more content…
Physical evidence is collected on the crime scene and in anybody’s personal belongings in who is associated with the investigation. In this case forensic evidence was required to be collected as prosecutors needed valuable evidence that utmost proves the defendant of being guilty. With this being said, the case of Scott Person was resolved due to Forensic analyst. Forensic Scientist used the DNA route for solving the whole mystery behind Laci Peterson’s death. In terms of science, DNA is referred to as Deoxyribonucleic Acid in which are the hereditary material in humans and almost all other organisms. As the human race inherits their DNA from each parent, the process of identifying a victim is much …show more content…
The first one is the Identification method and the second one is the Comparison method. In this case, scientists ended up using the comparison method to prove Scott Peterson guilty. The Comparison method is defined as the process of ascertaining whether two or more objects have a common origin. When performing this method, you need a standard reference sample. The most common reference sample is the buccal swab. The buccal swab allows scientists to collect cells from a piece of the inner cheek of a dead body for the build of the DNA profile of the victim. When Lacis body was found and identified by forensic pathologists and anthropologists, immediately scientists demanded pieces of her body. They were able to build a DNA profile of Laci as it possibly help them link to a murderer. With this technique of regulating criminal investigations, forensic experts were able to identify Scott Peterson as the murderer. By finding hair in a pair of pliers in Scott’s boat, the evidence was collected in an unbreakable plastic bill bottle with pressure lids. This allows for the evidence to be well preserved at its initial state. The hair ended up matching the DNA sample that Forensic Pathologist has composed and led to confirming that Scott murdered Laci. The technique of DNA matching solved the case but however still caused some controversy as some argue the accuracy of DNA profiling. However the judge accepted the evidence based
SCI 183 Case Study: Scott Peterson- A case of Circumstantial evidence
Presented to Dr. Lyer
Presented
Student number
Department of Forensic Science
Ted Rogers School of Management/ Kerr Hall
Ryerson University
Case Study- Essay/Report
Use of physical evidence(DNA) and information- Scott Peterson: A case of Circumstantial Evidence
Throughout this report, I will be furthermore talking about the conviction of Scott Peterson regarding the murder of his 27 year old former college sweetheart, Laci Peterson. The reason why I chose to write about this case is because I was intrigued by the way Scott Peterson was proven guilty. After reading about this investigation I really prized the use and importance that …show more content…
Physical evidence is collected on the crime scene and in anybody’s personal belongings in who is associated with the investigation. In this case forensic evidence was required to be collected as prosecutors needed valuable evidence that utmost proves the defendant of being guilty. With this being said, the case of Scott Person was resolved due to Forensic analyst. Forensic Scientist used the DNA route for solving the whole mystery behind Laci Peterson’s death. In terms of science, DNA is referred to as Deoxyribonucleic Acid in which are the hereditary material in humans and almost all other organisms. As the human race inherits their DNA from each parent, the process of identifying a victim is much …show more content…
The first one is the Identification method and the second one is the Comparison method. In this case, scientists ended up using the comparison method to prove Scott Peterson guilty. The Comparison method is defined as the process of ascertaining whether two or more objects have a common origin. When performing this method, you need a standard reference sample. The most common reference sample is the buccal swab. The buccal swab allows scientists to collect cells from a piece of the inner cheek of a dead body for the build of the DNA profile of the victim. When Lacis body was found and identified by forensic pathologists and anthropologists, immediately scientists demanded pieces of her body. They were able to build a DNA profile of Laci as it possibly help them link to a murderer. With this technique of regulating criminal investigations, forensic experts were able to identify Scott Peterson as the murderer. By finding hair in a pair of pliers in Scott’s boat, the evidence was collected in an unbreakable plastic bill bottle with pressure lids. This allows for the evidence to be well preserved at its initial state. The hair ended up matching the DNA sample that Forensic Pathologist has composed and led to confirming that Scott murdered Laci. The technique of DNA matching solved the case but however still caused some controversy as some argue the accuracy of DNA profiling. However the judge accepted the evidence based