The Case Scenario
The capstone case involves a simulated homicide: a 35-year-old man is found dead in his apartment with a single stab wound to the chest. The scene shows signs of a struggle—overturned furniture, broken glass, blood on the floor and walls. A kitchen knife with a blood-stained blade is found 2 meters from the body. The victim's ex-partner was seen near the building that evening by a neighbor. The ex-partner denies involvement, claiming they were at a restaurant. Available evidence includes: crime scene photographs and measurements, blood samples from the scene, the knife, fingerprints developed on the knife handle and a drinking glass, fibers recovered from the victim's clothing and fingernails, the victim's and suspect's cell phones, security camera footage from the building lobby, and autopsy findings. Students will analyze each evidence type and integrate findings into a reconstruction.