Foundations of Criminal Investigation

Case Study Paper Criteria

Compare the reality of criminal investigation in the Pamela Foddrill case study to the theory of criminal investigation in the text. There should be three main parts to your paper: the introduction, the body (the comparison) and the conclusion. Formatting instructions are included here.

Introduction:

1. General statements of how the reality of criminal investigation compares to theory of criminal investigation should be explicit in your introduction.
2. The introduction should clearly lay out a brief detail of what you intend to explain in the body of the paper.
3. The intro should also include a brief summary of the way in which the Foddrill case and investigation developed. Do not provide a lengthy timeline of the entire investigation. (hint: write the introduction last)

Body: Compare the theory of criminal investigation (all assigned chapters of your textbook and lecture material) to the reality of investigation (your case study in the reader, Sections 3 through 9). The case study in the reader includes: The Herald Times articles, Power Point slides from jury trials, selected legal documents, Department of Correction records, and Appellate filings regarding the Pamela Foddrill Homicide.
There should be two distinct sections to the body of your paper:

1. Forensic Evidence: The crime scene(s) and evidence collection.
2. Investigative Process: The inclusion and/or elimination of suspect(s). The arrest of suspect(s), interview and interrogation. The handling of informants, witnesses and the identification of suspects.
   For each of the two sections enumerated above, answer the following questions:
3. How is the theory of criminal investigation (i.e. what is written in the textbook) similar to the reality of investigation (i.e. what you’ve read about the FODDRILL case)?
4. • How is the theory of criminal investigation different from the reality of investigation?
5. What aspects of the Pamela Foddrill investigation were not addressed in the text book?
6. Considering the information in the textbook and lecture, what elements of the Pamela Foddrill investigation did you find surprising or unexpected?
7. Given what you learned in the textbook, what is your evaluation of the efficacy of the Pamela Foddrill investigation (i.e. what did the investigators do right/wrong)?
   Comparisons, discussion, and conclusions must be logical and explicitly linked to examples/facts from the case. Do not right in vague generalities. In other words, demonstrate that you are familiar with the details of the case as well as the textbook content. Facts and examples should be detailed, accurate and appropriate.
   Within both sections of your main body, address each of the five questions above in its own paragraph(s). Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence. Headings and subheadings should be used. Make fluid transitions between paragraphs/topics.

Conclusion: The conclusion is where you summarize your findings and analysis.

1. Provide a brief summary of the ideas in the paper, tying together the different sections and subsections of your main body.
2. Discuss how the progression of the case through the criminal justice process over time differs or is similar in real life from the text and tie it all together.
3. Offer an opinion as to:
   a. The overall service and justice for the victim and her family
   b. The Foddrill investigation and work of investigators

Conventions:

1. References: Include at least four distinct references to the textbook, lecture notes, and various materials in the course reader. Citations should be included within the body of the paper. e.g. (Lyman, 1998, p. 320). Be careful to give credit for any material (ideas, information, quotes) you use. Include a brief reference list at the end of your paper, in whichever format (e.g. APA or MLA) you are most comfortable with.
2. Format: Papers should be 5-8 pages. It must be typed, have a ‘normal’ font (e.g. Times New Roman, Ariel – 12 point), be double-spaced, and have ‘normal’ margins (≈1 inch).
3. Manually spell and grammar check (don’t rely on the Microsoft Word spell checker). Use section heading and subheadings to organize.
4. Use Microsoft Word to type your paper. You may convert to PDF, but this is not required. Do not submit your paper in Apple Pages format.
5. Include your name within the paper itself (i.e. on the title page) and within the file name.
6. Submit papers via Canvas. You will be prompted to use Turnitin.com. Late penalties will be assessed at 10% for each day late. Papers will not be accepted after one week beyond the due date.

Papers will be graded based on the following rubric:
Intro (6 points):

• Generally states how the reality compares to the theory of criminal investigation
• Clearly lays out a brief detail of the body of the paper
• Briefly summarizes the way in which the PF case and investigation developed
  Forensic Evidence (16 points):
• Clearly illustrates similarities between theory and reality of criminal investigation (including references)
• Clearly illustrates differences between theory and reality of criminal investigation? (including references)
• Plainly establishes which aspects of the FODDRILL investigation were not covered in the text
• Thoughtfully discusses what elements of the FODDRILL investigation were surprising
• Evaluates the efficacy of the FODDRILL investigation in detail
• Comparison, discussion, and conclusions are logical and explicitly linked to examples/facts
• Examples are detailed, accurate and appropriate
• Sequence of information is logical, well-organized, and easy to follow
  Investigative Process (16 points):
• Clearly illustrates similarities between theory and reality of criminal investigation (including references)
• Clearly illustrates differences between theory and reality of criminal investigation (including references)
• Plainly establishes which aspects of the FODDRILL investigation were not covered in the text
• Thoughtfully discusses what elements of the FODDRILL investigation were surprising.
• Evaluates the efficacy of the FODDRILL investigation in detail
• Comparison, discussion, and conclusions are logical and explicitly linked to examples/facts
• Examples are detailed, accurate and appropriate.
• Sequence of information is logical, well-organized, and easy to follow

Conclusion (6 points):

• Provides brief summary of the ideas in the paper that tie all sections together
• Discussion of how the progression of the case through the criminal justice process differs in real life from the text.
• Brief and informed discussion of opinion issues (service of justice for the victim and general Opinions about the investigation.)
   
  Conventions (6 points)
• At least four distinct references to the course material; includes in-text citations and reference list
• 5-8 pages. Typed using a ‘normal’ font, double spaced, with ‘normal’ margins
• Is free of spelling and grammatical errors
• Headings and subheadings are incorporated

Total points possible: 50

General tips:

1. Make an outline before you begin writing your paper
2. Double-check the rubric and requirements above to ensure that you have adequately addressed all criteria
3. Answer each question thoroughly. Have you fully explained your thoughts and connected the dots for the reader? This paper is a comparison between a real investigation and what the textbook says about investigations. Do not simply provide a summary/timeline of the FODDRILL murder investigation, but conduct a thoughtful analysis of the case.
4. Students are often tempted to include specific details from the FODDRILL murder investigation and lecture, yet vague generalities from the textbook—do not make this mistake.
5. Check the organization of your content. Don’t include a discussion under the investigation section that belongs under the forensics section and vice versa.
6. The intro and conclusion should be relatively brief (half to one page each), leaving the majority of the paper’s contents to the main body. The two sections of the main body should be relatively balanced and clearly distinct from one another.
7. Be specific with your citations. Which section of the course reader or page in the textbook did your quote come from, for example?
8. You may use outside sources relating to the FODDRILL investigation, but are not required to do so. The majority of your information and citations should be from the course reader.