case: Casey Anthony Deposition
submit your written review of the case, and the forensic evidence used or discussed in the cases that you chose in Module 4.
The report should include a summary of the case with the case name, the names of the defendant and prosecutors, the nature of the crime, a summary of the allegations and charges, and the courtroom procedures. The paper should review and focus on the forensic and testimonial evidence used in court hearings. You will assess and evaluate the forensic evidence based on the knowledge learned in the criminalist program.
The report should be 3-4 pages in length and follow the APA format.
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
The Casey Anthony Case: A Forensic Review
Summary of the Case
Case Name: The State of Florida v. Casey Anthony
Defendant: Casey Anthony
Prosecutors: Jeff Ashton, Linda Drane Burdick
Nature of the Crime: The case involved the disappearance and death of two-year-old Caylee Anthony, the daughter of the defendant, Casey Anthony.
Allegations and Charges: Casey Anthony was accused of killing her daughter, Caylee Anthony, and disposing of her body. She was charged with first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, and providing false information to law enforcement.
Courtroom Procedures: The trial took place in Orlando, Florida, in 2011. The prosecution presented testimonial and forensic evidence to prove Casey Anthony’s guilt, while the defense argued that Caylee’s death was accidental.
Forensic Evidence Used in the Case
The Casey Anthony case was notable for the extensive use of forensic evidence to establish the circumstances surrounding Caylee Anthony’s death. Several key forensic findings were presented during the trial:
1. Forensic Anthropology: Dr. Jan Garavaglia, the Chief Medical Examiner for Orange and Osceola counties in Florida, conducted the autopsy on Caylee Anthony’s remains. Forensic anthropology played a crucial role in determining the cause of death and identifying skeletal remains. Dr. Garavaglia testified about the decomposition of the body and the presence of duct tape near the skull, which was considered a significant piece of evidence in the case.
2. Forensic Toxicology: Toxicology reports were presented to analyze the presence of drugs or toxins in Caylee Anthony’s remains. The absence or presence of specific substances could provide insights into how Caylee died and potentially link Casey Anthony to her daughter’s death. The toxicology findings were utilized to support the prosecution’s theory of deliberate harm.
3. Forensic Entomology: Insects found on and around Caylee Anthony’s remains were examined by forensic entomologists to determine the post-mortem interval. By analyzing insect activity and life cycles, experts could estimate the time of death and provide evidence to corroborate or challenge witness testimonies.
4. Forensic Evidence Collection: Crime scene investigators collected various items from locations associated with the case, including Casey Anthony’s car and the wooded area where Caylee’s remains were discovered. DNA analysis, fingerprinting, and trace evidence examination were conducted to link physical evidence to the events leading to Caylee’s death.
5. Cell Phone Records and Digital Evidence: Testimony regarding cell phone records, internet searches, and digital communications was presented to establish a timeline of events and potential motives behind Caylee’s disappearance and death. Digital forensics played a crucial role in uncovering Casey Anthony’s actions and behavior leading up to and following her daughter’s disappearance.
Evaluation of Forensic Evidence
The forensic evidence presented in the Casey Anthony case played a significant role in shaping the narrative surrounding Caylee Anthony’s death. The findings from forensic anthropology, toxicology, entomology, and evidence collection provided crucial insights into the circumstances of the crime. However, the defense raised questions about the reliability and interpretation of some forensic evidence.
For example, the presence of duct tape near Caylee’s remains was a contentious issue, with the defense arguing that it might not have been directly linked to her death. Additionally, challenges were raised regarding the chain of custody for certain pieces of evidence, raising concerns about contamination or tampering.
The evaluation of forensic evidence in the Casey Anthony case highlights the complexities and challenges associated with interpreting scientific findings within a legal context. While forensic analysis can provide valuable insights into criminal investigations, it is essential to consider factors such as bias, interpretation errors, and limitations in forensic techniques when assessing the weight of evidence in court proceedings.
In conclusion, the Casey Anthony case serves as a compelling example of how forensic evidence can influence legal outcomes and shape public perception of high-profile criminal cases. By examining the role of forensic anthropology, toxicology, entomology, evidence collection, and digital forensics in the trial, we gain a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in leveraging scientific expertise to seek justice and truth in criminal proceedings.
