Forensic Sciece – the Severed Hand
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YSCN0017 – From Sherlock Holmes to Modern Forensic Science
Items that need to be collected for examination are:
Location
1. Amputated hand
In plastic storage container held by Reagle
2. Plastic Storage Container
In possession by Reagle at Duffy’s
3. Bottle of whisky (1)
Adjacent to body’s left hip
4. 0.45 Caliber semi-automatic handgun
Adjacent to body’s left ear
5. Clothing — yellow collared short sleeve knit shirt, blue denim jeans, white athletic shoes
On the body of deceased
6. Wallet – Credit cards, license and other identity documents
In deceased’s right read pant pocket
7. Black ladies underwear
Living room of farmhouse
8. Armory and ammunition
Living room of farmhouse
9. Shovel
Outbuilding of farmhouse
10. Men’s t-shirt (white)
Living room of farmhouse
11. Bottle of whiskey (2)
Living room of farmhouse
12. Blue plastic button
Living room of farmhouse
13. Black body bag
Holds the body
Types of tests and analysis that need to be done on each relative item:
DNA test (RFLP,PCR,STR)
Blood test (presumptive test/confirmatory test) — confirm that the hand belongs to find
Compare wound to any weapons found on the site
Finger print test — ridge comparison test (AFIS)
Finger print test — ridge comparison test (AFIS)
Saliva – Serological and Biological analysis
Finger print test — ridge comparison test (AFIS)
Bullet comparisons – rifling
Check payments — check how credible the accounts given are and check recent activity of the Fine while missing
Examine the pubic hair medulla patterns and compare to sample from people involved. E.g. Cindy Fine
Also examine for any semen present and perform Serological/Biological analysis
Comparison test with the 3 hollow bullet fragments found in autopsy
DNA test (RFLP,PCR,STR)
Finger print test — ridge comparison test (AFIS)
Identify soil, minerals, wood and other vegetative matter — trace back where this was used by comparing with soil matters around burial site therefore concluding whether murderer returned to farmhouse post burial of the body
10. DNA test (RFLP,PCR,STR)
Identify fibers — identify whether they are natural or synthetic then perform comparison of medulla patterns
Saliva – Serological and Biological analysis
Finger print test — ridge comparison test (AFIS)
Comparison test performed with clothing items found on deceased and other people involved.
The button can also be examined, if unique then it could be traced back to manufacturer or retailed and the owner of the garment could be identified
Identification of any fibers, blood semen present —
Identification of soil, minerals, wood and other vegetative matter on the exterior to trace back where the bag has been transported from
Control samples such as DNA samples from the suspect John Reagle, the victims’ relatives and possibly people in the neighboring community who may have access to the farmhouse or the cotton field where the body was found. To make a case for Reagle, the police need to illustrate why Reagle has the intentions for this kill, and why he has done so and tried to conceal this