Grace Bush

October 9, 2015
Evidence Report for #077, Anna Garcia decedent
INTRODUCTION
The call to the 911 operator came at 9:45 am from a neighbor of the decedent, Anna Garcia. He
called to report that he had last see Ms. Garcia the previous morning walking her dog while
wearing a sweater, unusual for the summer heat. The dog was now barking uncontrollably and he
was concerned. The EMTs then arrived at the scene to find Anna Garcia lying face down in the
hallway and unresponsive. She was pronounced dead at 9:56 am.
Crime Scene
The crime scene was sealed off and investigated by the crime scene investigator. The physical
evidence was labeled as following:
1. Framed Picture of Dog with fingerprint on frame
2. Large spatter of blood near head
3. Blood spatter near table
4. Overturned cup
5. Unknown pill
6. Dog leash
7. Jacket on chair
8. Purse on chair
9. Unknown white substance
10. Unknown Pill

Image 1. Crime Scene

Original Hypothesis
Based on only the evidence found at the scene, I made a hypothesis of her cause and manner of
death. I believed that her death was an accidental overdose on prescription medication.

Overview of Evidence
After collecting the physical evidence from the crime scene and background information from
the descendants, we ran a thorough investigation on all aspects. The investigation was started
with investigating the persons of interest. We then investigated the unknown medication, hair,
fingerprints, shoeprints, and blood (type) left at the scene. Also investigated were the blood
pattern at the scene, Annas time of death, and the DNA left at the scene. After our investigation,
we received an autopsy report from the medical examiner.
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
Persons of Interest
When investigating death with an unknown manner and cause, it is important to look at all
possibilities, even homicide in this case. We were given four persons of interest to investigate
further.
Alex Garcia, Suspect #1.0. Alex Garcia was the ex-husband of the decedent. They went through
a nasty divorce and he is recently remarried to suspect #1.1. A possible motive to kill Anna could
be to receive the life insurance from her death, which he was still connected to.
Erica Piedmont, Suspect #1.1. Erica Piedmont is the new wife of suspect #1.1. She was reported
lingering outside Annas house in her car the night before her death. A possible motive could be
because she wants Anna out of the picture in her new marriage.
Lucy Leffingwell, Suspect #2. Lucy Leffingwell was the best friend and co- owner of a bakery
with the decedent. She was last seen with Anna at the bakery debating whether or not to buy
Anna out of the bakery. A possible motive could be to do what is best for her bakery.
Doug Greene, Suspect #3. Doug Green was the neighbor and allegedly the ex-boyfriend of
Anna. Anna ended the relationship a week before her death. He was the last person to see Anna
alive and the one to call 911. A possible motive could be because he was angry that the
relationship was over.
Crime Scene Evidence
Unknown medication. To determine the unknown medication left at the scene, we tested six
different substances: cocaine, acetaminophen, acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), methamphetamine,
ecstasy, and the unknown substance left at the scene. We used mock substances, of course! To
start out, we measured out 0.5 grams of each substance to observe the appearance and texture.

After fist examination, we made a hypothesis that methamphetamine was the same as the
unknown substance because both were white with small, crystal-like grains, and had a rough
texture. Then, we tested their reaction to three different indicators, water, iodine, and vinegar,
respectively. After careful analysis, we determined that the unknown substance was not
methamphetamine. The unknown substance was acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). Both allowed
water to sit on the grains, had no reaction to iodine, and had little reaction to the vinegar.

Image 2. Unknown Medication

Hair. Prior to being given the hair samples, we practiced how to analyze hair by taking our own
hair sample and examining it under a microscope. There was no thorough experiment to
determine whose hair was left at the scene. Instead, we were given picture samples of the roots
of the hair of the persons of interest, Anna, and the hair left at the scene. Our hypothesis was that
Annas hair had been left at the scene. After careful analysis of the samples, we determined that
our hypothesis proved to be valid. Both Annas hair sample and the one left at the scene had a
thick black line underneath, a distinct shading, and a large black spot in the middle of the sample.
Fingerprints.
While examining the scene, one fingerprint was visible to the amateur CSIs. It was located on the
picture frame of the dog. There was also no thorough experiment. We were given the fingerprints
of the persons of interest, Anna, and the one left at the scene. Our hypothesis was that the
fingerprint belonged to Anna because it was, after all, her house. After carefully examining the
pattern of the fingerprints, we determined that the fingerprint left at the scene belong to Alex
Garcia, suspect #1.0. Both his fingerprint and the one left at the scene, shared the same circular

pattern and distinct characteristics that set them apart from the others. Our hypothesis proven to
be invalid.
Shoeprints. To determine whose shoeprint was left at the scene, we analyzed the shoeprints of
the persons of interest, Anna, and the footprint left at the scene. Our hypothesis was that the
shoeprint belonged to Alex Garcia because he had left the fingerprint at the scene. After
analyzing the pattern under a microscope, we saw that each had distinct characteristics to the
pattern that set it apart from the others. We came to the conclusion that the shoeprint left at the
scene belonged to Annas shoes. Both shoes had a distinct mountain- like hump on the bottom
of the heel. There was also a break in the middle of each pattern. Our hypothesis tested invalid.

Image 3. Anna and Crime Scene Shoeprint

DNA analysis. After learning about the DNA analysis process, we were able to identify whose
DNA was left at the scene by using restriction enzyme code GG|CC or the Haelll cut. We were
given a DNA sequence from each person of interest, Anna, and the DNA at the scene. Our
hypothesis was that the DNA would match Annas. After going through the process of cutting,
we found that both Annas and the crime scene was both 12|23|11|33|24. Therefore, our
hypothesis was valid.

Image 4. Gel Electrophoresis

Blood Analysis
Blood Type. To determine whose blood was left at the scene, we conducted an experiment testing
each blood samples reaction to the serums. We used a blood sample from each of the persons of
interest, Anna, and the blood left at the scene. For each sample, we ran three different tests, one
reacting with a drop Anti- A Serum, one with Anti- B, and one with Anti- Rh. If the blood
clumped on Anti- A, then it was blood type A. If the blood clumped on Anti- B, it was blood type
B. If it clumped on both, it was AB. If the blood clumped on neither of the two, it was blood type
O. Finally, if the blood clumped on the Anti-Rh, the blood type was positive. We made a
hypothesis that the blood left at the scene and Annas would be the same type, making them the
same. After running the experiment, we determined that Annas blood was left at the scene. Both
clumped on Anti- A and Anti- Rh, making it A+ blood type. Our hypothesis was valid. The blood
types of each sample can be found in Table 1.
Table 1. Blood Type of Each Sample
Individ
ual
Blood
Type

Blood at
scene

Anna
Garcia

Alex
Garcia

Doug
Greene

Erica
Piedmont

Lucy
Leffingwell

A+

A+

B-

O+

A-

AB-

Blood Spatter. For this experiment, we tested how the height of where blood is dropped affects
the diameter of the blood spatter. This was then used to determine where the impact happened to
produce the blood spatter left at the crime scene. Our hypothesis was, If the height from where
the blood is dropped affects the diameter of the blood spatter, then the higher the height, the
wider the diameter of the spatter. This was tested by dropping one drop of blood from different
heights, (5, 25, 50, 75, 100, and 200 centimeters). Our hypothesis was proved valid. We then

used this information to determine that Annas blood spatter came from the overturned table
beside her body because they were both in the same height range, according to Figure 1 and the
diameter of her blood spatter.

Blood Spatter
2
1.5

Diameter (cm)

1
0.5
0

50

100

150

200

250

Height from Dropped (cm)

Trial 1

Trial 2

Figure 1. Blood Spatter

Time of Death
Experiment. To learn about how time of death takes place, we first did an experiment. In the
experiment, we tested how ambient temperature affects the body cooling process. Our hypothesis
was If ambient temperature affects the rate in which a body cools, then the rate of cooling will
be higher in room temperature water than warmer water. We made our body from sodium
polyacrylate and water. We then added 200 mL of 50*C water and let sit for 20 minutes while the
thermometer in the Logger Pro software calculated the temperature every 5 minutes. We then
repeated the process with 20*C water. Our final conclusion were that the body has a faster rate of
change in warmer temperate. However, the body cools faster in colder temperature. Our
hypothesis proved to be valid.
Annas Time of Death. We used the Glaister Equation to determine her approximate time of
death. Glaister equation is (98.4 measured rectal temperature) / 1.5=. (98.4 92.4)/ 1.5 = 4.
The temperature was taken at 11:00 am. So, using the equation, Annas approximate time of
death was 7:00 am.
CONCLUSION

From all the evidence we analyzed, we found a common trend, the majority of the DNA
belonged to Anna. This ruled out a possible homicide. The DNA evidence that matched both
Anna and the crime scene included hair, shoeprint, DNA strand, and blood. The only outlier was
the fingerprint that belonged to Alex Garcia, suspect #1.0. We concluded that Anna hit the table
to cause the large blood spatter. Also, the approximate time of death was 7:00 am. After all of our
experiments and analyzes were done, we were presented with a partial autopsy report from the
medical examiner. New information included that Anna was a 38 year old Hispanic female.
There was no evidence of overdose from the toxicology report, yet, acetylsalicylic acid was
present in her system. There was a small head injury on her right temple. Her ankles show signs
of edema, her fingernails show signs of low oxygen, and there are inflamed, red injection sites on
her left thigh. Vomit in her oral cavity was also present. I now believe that the decedents death
was natural. She could have possibly suffered from an untreated blood clot that spread
throughout her body, as it has not been ruled out. Blood clots can cause edema in the body and
are potentially fatal. This could have caused her to become unconscious and fall and hit her head
along the table. What actually happened to the decedent? The mystery is to be investigated more.
Case #077 is not through yet.