Forensic Evidence Chain of Custody and Preservation

Forensic Evidence

Chain of Custody and Preservation of Evidence in the JonBenet Ramsey Murder Case

The objective of this study is to discuss how criminalists protect evidence from contamination and to demonstrate appropriate techniques for handling evidence. This study will differentiate between latent and visible evidence and advocate for the necessity of proper procedures to uphold evidence findings. Specifically, this study will review a known criminal case involving chain of custody and preservation of evidence and will answer as to how significant the physical evidence was in the criminal investigations of this case. As well this study will answer what type of evidence was involved in the case, latent, visible, or both and if the secure chain of custody was followed. Finally this study will answer whether the legal integrity of all evidence was upheld through proper possession, handling, storing, and documentation and answer why it is important and necessary to maintain accurate written records and processes while tracking the possession, handling, and storage of evidence from collection through report. Part II of this study will involve the creation of a chain of custody policy that reflects on the proper procedures for accepting and handling evidence including: (1) chain of custody procedures; and (2) upholding evidence integrity.

Introduction

The case chosen for review in this study is the murder of JonBenet Ramsey, a female child eight years of age in Boulder Colorado. JonBenet was found murdered in the family home on December 26, 1996, following her mother first finding a ransom note. It was hours later until the body of the child was actually discovered in a basement room of the family's home.

I. Chain of Custody in Evidence in the Ramsey Case

The chain of custody evidence in the Ramsey case was form the very beginning a terribly handled process as the Boulder, Colorado police did little to secure the murder scene and are reported to have allowed many people to come and go from the family's residence.

The Virginia Department of Forensic Science relates in its manual entitled "Evidence Handling & Laboratory Capabilities Guide" (2010) that each and every shred of evidence collected in a case must necessarily be handled in a prescribed fashion in order for the evidence to maintain its integrity and to be admissible in a court of law. This sadly, was not the case when Boulder, Colorado police investigated the murder of JonBenet Ramsey.

II. Latent and Visual Evidence

Visual evidence is just as it sounds, evidence that is visible to the naked eye however, latent evidence is that which is not readily seen by the human eye but is still present and able to be detected by criminological tools and methods. (Virginia Government Online Services, Department of Forensic Science, 2012, p.1) Evidence in the case was both visual in nature and latent. The stated evidence gained during the investigation of the murder scene is stated to include the following evidence;

(1) A footprint made by a Hi-Tec stamped hiking boot was found in the concrete dust of the wine cellar. The boot has not been connected to any of the Ramseys or to the 400 people or more who have been to the Ramsey house;

(2) An unidentified palm print was found on the door of the wine cellar. It does not belong to John, Patsy or Burke Ramsey.

(3) A pubic hair was found on the blanket in which JonBenet was wrapped. It does not belong to John, Patsy or Burke Ramsey.

(4) A piece of broken glass was found under a basement window. The window was open and the sill showed signs of disturbance.

(5) There was a scuff-mark on the basement wall below the window. Someone had to have climbed in or out of this window (however, no footprints were found outside the window).

(6) The duct tape and the cord used in the murder were not found in the Ramsey house. The offender must have brought them in and taken them out when he/she left the house after the murder. ( )

In addition, the body of the murdered child was reported as being in an advanced state of rigor mortis at the time the body was found and a smell of decomposition was present indicating that JonBenet was killed between 10:00 P.M. And 6:a.m. Other evidence was related by individuals who knew the Ramseys including the fact that JonBenet was expecting a special visit from Santa. Evidence reported to have been ignored in the Ramsey murder investigation is stated to include the following:

(1) The Ramseys are loving parents with no motive for killing their child and no history of criminal or abusive behavior.

(2) Lovely JonBenet was a "pedophile's dream" and her visibility in the community made her a target. Likewise, the Ramseys' wealth and high profile made them potential targets of a kidnapper.

(3) Three suspicious events point to an intruder: unknown vehicles parked outside the Ramseys' home near the time of the crime; JonBenet's comment to people that she was going to get a "special visit from Santa," even though Patsy never heard JonBenet say anything about a visit from Santa.

(4) Police statements about there being no footprints in the snow were misleading as there was no snow around most of the perimeter of the house.

(5) The open basement window, movement of the window well grate and the presence of leaves and debris in the basement below the open window and a number of other clues point to the window being the entry point for the intruder.

(6) Pieces of debris from the window well were found in the wine cellar where JonBenet's body was discovered.

(7) The suitcase below the open window, which was moved there by someone other than the Ramseys, appeared to be the way an intruder boosted himself up to the open window to exit the house.

(8) Many hairs and fibers connected to the crime do not belong to the Ramseys or any other family member.

(9) Marks on JonBenet's body are consistent with the use of a stun gun which would have kept her quiet while she was removed from her bedroom.

(10) Fresh unidentified footprints which were visible in the mold on the wine cellar floor did not belong to any family member.

(11) Tests showed that a scream reported by a neighbor could have come from the basement without the Ramseys hearing it.

(12) The expertly constructed garrote used on JonBenet indicates an experienced sexual sadist.

(13) JonBenet's vicious injuries occurred before her death and were not part of some post-mortem staging.