Forensic Investigator for the prosecution team
As a forensic investigator for the prosecution team in the case of State vs. Sandusky, several things are to be collected, analyzed, and presented in court. The alleged molestations took place in1996-2009 and, there is no physical evidence from the case that can be linked to the molestations. As a forensic investigator in the case, most of the evidence collected will revolve around the statements made by the alleged victims, witnesses, defendant, University police report, and the child protection agency (indictment, 2011). The statements made by the alleged victims are important, as they are the foundation for the prosecution. The statements should be analyzed and verified that they do not contain any inconsistencies such as the alleged dates. Where possible the statements should capture important things such as the date, time and place where the alleged molestation took place. The witnesses’ statements should be analyzed just like the alleged victim’s statement to avoid having discrepancies in the statements. The University police report filed in 1998 should be obtained as evidence in the case (indictment, 2011). This is important because it will support the prosecution by showing that the victim reported the alleged molestation to the authority. It should be analyzed and verified by statements made by the alleged victim who reported the molestation claims. The statement made by Sandusky should be obtained and analyzed. This is important because it will give the prosecution a chance to get Sandusky’s side of the story and during cross-examination, they can verify if there are discrepancies such as Sandusky contradicting himself during the cross-examination. The next piece of evidence that is required or is important is showing that the alleged victims and Sandusky had a close relationship that Sandusky violated. This can be done by getting telephone records that show that they had regular communication during the time of the alleged molestations (Saferstein, 2010).
Forensic Investigator for the defense team
As a forensic investigator for the defense team, the goal will be to gather evidence, which can be used to prove that Sandusky is innocent. Some of the records needed include criminal history records of witnesses and the victims, education records, court records, witness statements, interviews, bad character evidence of the alleged victims, and key witnesses (Seelye, 2011). The goal of the defense team will be to prove that the evidence and witnesses presented are inadmissible on various grounds. This can be done by searching and analyzing the criminal records of the alleged victims and key witnesses (Saferstein, 2010). This is important because it can be used to prove that the witnesses and alleged victims are malicious and cannot be trusted. The education records of the victims should be obtained and analyzed to see if their performance during the period of molestation was consistent with those of molested persons. Another record that is important to search for is court records for the alleged victims and key witnesses (Saferstein, 2010). It is important to gather as much information about the court records of the witnesses and alleged victim that may be used in the case. It would be important to get evidence that proves that Sandusky has not been charged previously and does not have a criminal record. Getting bad character evidence for the alleged victims and key witnesses is important because the defense team can use this to show the court that the alleged victims and witnesses are malicious and have their evidence thrown out.
References
indictment. (2011). In Sandusky_Grand_Jury_Presentment. Web.
Saferstein, R. (2010). Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science, 10th Ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall.
Seelye. K. Q. (2011). Concerns Raised for Boys in Sandusky Case. The New York Times. Web.