NCJ Number
208406
Date Published
2004
Length
313 pages
Annotation
This book presents case studies of cold homicide cases that have been reinvestigated with modern forensic techniques.
Abstract
The author, Dr. Lee, is a forensic science professor at the University of New Haven and has consulted with more than 300 police and law enforcement agencies in high-profile cases. Five cases are described in the chapters of this book: the Concetta “Penney” Serra case, the Skakel-Moxley case, the JonBenet Ramsey case, the Lisa Peng case, and the Suzan Barratt case. Each chapter describes the facts of the case and the original investigation of each case, some of which occurred during the 1970’s. The author analyzes mistakes made by local police in the original investigation and details how evidence was collected and analyzed and how the crime scene was treated at the time the crime was discovered. The analysis of the five cases and the ensuing investigations illustrate the complexities involved in police work and forensic analysis. The authors own experience with investigating each case using cutting edge forensic techniques and crime scene reconstruction is also detailed. The development of new forensic tools has aided, and will continue to aid, with the investigation of both new and old cases. As police investigative techniques also continue improve, victims of homicide and their families will find swifter justice for the crimes committed against them. Exhibits, appendix, notes, bibliography, index