Alex Murdaugh Case
Identify the crime and give a clear and detailed description of the crime type location, date and time of the event, and any other details reported. choose at least six forms of evidence that were could have been found at the crime scene and described the importance of each item of evidence. give a clear and detailed evaluation of the collection methods for each item of evidence, and how these methods preserve the integrity of the evidence. Properly explain the forensic techniques that would be used to analyze each item of evidence, propose, and explain possible alternative improvements to the crime scene investigation.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Title: The Alex Murdaugh Case: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Crime Scene and Evidence Collection
Thesis Statement: The Alex Murdaugh case, involving the mysterious shooting of Alex Murdaugh and subsequent allegations of embezzlement, requires a thorough evaluation of the crime scene, evidence collection methods, and forensic techniques to ensure a fair and just investigation.
Introduction
The Alex Murdaugh case has captivated public attention due to its complex nature, involving a shooting incident and allegations of financial misconduct. To shed light on this case, it is essential to delve into the specifics of the crime, evidence collection, and forensic analysis.
Crime Description
On September 4, 2021, Alex Murdaugh reported being shot in the head while changing a tire on the side of a rural road in Hampton County, South Carolina. The incident occurred at approximately 1:34 p.m. As the investigation unfolded, allegations emerged regarding potential involvement in the misappropriation of funds from his former law firm.
Evidence Collection
Firearms: The recovery of the firearm used in the shooting is crucial for ballistic analysis to determine the type of weapon, trajectory, and potential fingerprints or DNA evidence. Proper collection involves careful handling to preserve any trace evidence and prevent contamination.
Clothing and Personal Effects: The victim’s clothing and personal effects must be collected for gunshot residue, bloodstains, and any foreign DNA. Preservation involves packaging items separately to prevent cross-contamination.
Tire and Road Debris: Collection of tire fragments and road debris from the crime scene can provide insights into the trajectory of the bullet and potential transfer of trace evidence. Careful documentation and collection are essential to preserve physical evidence.
Biological Samples: Biological samples such as bloodstains, hair, or tissue at the crime scene can yield crucial DNA evidence. Proper swabbing and collection methods are necessary to avoid degradation and contamination.
Footwear Impressions: The identification and casting of footwear impressions can link suspects to the crime scene. Proper casting techniques and preservation of impression evidence are vital for forensic analysis.
Surveillance Footage: Retrieval of surveillance footage from nearby cameras can provide valuable insights into the events leading up to the shooting, potential suspects, and vehicle descriptions. Proper preservation and chain of custody are essential for admissibility in court.
Forensic Analysis
Ballistic Examination: Forensic experts conduct ballistic analysis to match recovered bullets and casings to a specific firearm. Comparison microscopes and chemical tests are used to determine firearm type and potential links to other crimes.
DNA Analysis: Biological samples undergo DNA analysis using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and capillary electrophoresis to produce DNA profiles for comparison against known individuals or databases.
Trace Evidence Analysis: Tire fragments, road debris, and other trace evidence undergo microscopic examination and chemical analysis to link them to specific vehicles or locations.
Bloodstain Pattern Analysis: Bloodstain patterns on clothing or surfaces are examined to reconstruct the events of the shooting and determine the position of individuals involved.
Footwear Impression Analysis: Comparison of footwear impressions with known shoe designs is conducted using 3D imaging and casting techniques to identify potential suspects.
Financial Forensics: In parallel with physical evidence analysis, financial forensics experts examine financial records and transactions to trace potential embezzlement activities and establish a motive.
Improvements to Crime Scene Investigation
To enhance the investigation, improvements can be made in evidence documentation, including comprehensive photographic documentation of the entire crime scene, meticulous chain of custody procedures for all collected items, and increased utilization of advanced forensic technologies such as 3D scanning for precise crime scene reconstruction.
Conclusion
The Alex Murdaugh case presents a complex interplay between a shooting incident and allegations of financial misconduct, necessitating a meticulous approach to evidence collection and forensic analysis. By recognizing the significance of each form of evidence, evaluating collection methods, and proposing improvements, a more thorough and equitable investigation can be pursued.
In summary, the comprehensive analysis of the crime scene, evidence collection methods, and forensic techniques is pivotal in ensuring justice is served in the Alex Murdaugh case.
