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Melissa Espinoza
I'm an entomologist (BS), American Board of Forensic Entomology certified technician, & North American Forensic Entomology Association member, studying forensic sciences and investigative techniques.
Location Texas
Achievements
Activity
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
Thank y'all this mind opener of a course! Glad to be able to participate through FutureLearn. I can appreciate detective work much more and witnesses' efforts to remember events and faces... especially when they are aware of how our minds work or can even fail to remember, as well as how sensitive they are to change, brought to light by the facts researched by...
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
"Bookmarking" all the links. I liked how this course focused on Eyewitness Testimony. Criminal behavior is much more popular and what I was actually expecting. Protecting the innocent seems like it is only being recently addressed and is as, if not more, important.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
Awesome, I think my subconscience is sometimes aware of something before my conscience.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
Great! As long as innocent people are being convicted, there needs to be ongoing research and application to the system to prevent that.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
Case almost closed!
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
More witnesses would mean more information to process and possibly more inconsistencies, but if the right detective techniques are followed like DS Sund's there would be more to overlap and reinforce the correct information because a wrong statement or identification would not be forced like with DI Bullet. Some police officers still seemed surprised there was...
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
Finally, get to watch the crime which happened mostly like how I wrote it in the previous section according to DS's witness interrogations. The sequence of events and descriptions had some grey areas like what they were wearing: blue jeans/black sweatpants/camo cargos... but as the witnesses said, it all seemed to happen all at once. Overall, her detective...
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Melissa Espinoza replied to Caroline H
I liked how the guard just slaps the gun out of his hand.
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Took me a while to be able to cross-reference the initial statements, witness interviews, ID parades, and notes - mostly choosing from DS Sund's evidence and anything overlapping from DI Bullet's, whose I mostly dismissed due to his input. Using DS Sund's ID parades, the driver was positively identified by Lila (and narrowed down by Seth) to 7 in the first...
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
When the three friends, Lila, Seth, and Liz walked along the delivery lot, a security van and guard or two (about 10 m away) were approached by three armed robbers in camo pants and dark, blue or black, jackets and/or hoodies. Two wore balaclava masks and had long shotguns. The one who wasn't was about 22, darkish skin, of Indian or Middle Eastern heritage,...
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
I very much prefer DS Sund's investigation despite the inconsistencies from witness to witness. It is possible one witness had a better view or focus of the unmasked robber and the other of the driver, ultimately leading to a more certain witness identification of each of the unmasked men.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
DS Sund provided strong system variables to get the remembered version of the estimator variables separately, without leading questions and with most, if not all, open and focused questions. When it came time to present the lineups, she provided specific instructions to the witness telling them the robbers may or may not be present, how the faces are...
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Thanks @helengray! :)
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
My evaluation was paraphrased compared to the expert's. I should have used more terminology, but overall we were both critical of DI Bullet's choice of suspects.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
When it comes to the identification of the robbers, it appears DI Bullet manifests his own input through the witnesses - of criminals he already knows of - which match only the overall description by Lila and Seth. With that, the witnesses may no longer recall their original memory which is now overwritten by DI Bullet's version.
(My *personal theory* is that... -
She was too shaken and unable to provide any information.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
Without leading questions in DS Sund's instructions, she used VIPER to sequentially show images from a large database making sure all those presented matched the descriptions given. DS Sund did not state any outside opinions to the witnesses, therefore, avoiding verbal overshadowing. It's unlikely that the witnesses have unconscious transference since they did...
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
I also agree with my MOOCmates here and in the previous sections. DI Bullet does much more than imply who he thinks the suspects are throughout the investigation. DI Bullet gives a repeated description of who he suspects leading to unconscious preference. Personalizing his approach to each of the witnesses, he instructs them to construct or agree with the...
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Melissa Espinoza replied to Melissa Espinoza
Good guess @helengray. I wasn't thinking Melanie, but she would definitely make the line-up - they have similar traits, careers, and hair trademark! Think more red, less pastel.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
Out of the five names I know I only really got one correct. I guessed some of the names right but to the wrong face.
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The four face halves I recognized was without misalignment. It should have helped with the other three mouths/jawlines I should have recognized, but didn't.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
I only recognized 4 face halves out of the 7 celebs I know about.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
She has long and round, slightly slanted, medium brown eyes, fair porcelain skin, long straight hair: half red/or white and half black, groomed arched eyebrows, long yet rounded features- probably 'heart-shaped' face, wears dark red lipstick and dark eyeliner and eyeshadow, and has a fabulous bright smile. Mid-30s, but could pass for younger.
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Marilyn Manson
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
DS Sund's interview style allowed the witnesses to give their own version of events and then elaborate on the descriptions from there.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
Context reinstatement works a little too well for those who suffer from PTSD, a more extreme example - or have PTSD from being a witness of a crime.
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Melissa Espinoza replied to [Learner left FutureLearn]
My "Introduction to Criminal Justice" class mentioned tunnel vision.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
Missed 1 in the first, 1 in the second, and 3 in the third.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
First: 3, Second: 2, Last: 1
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
Was following the blue dots and I missed the mouse again.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
Laughing at myself XD
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
I only remembered 3 words that were there, didn't remember 3 words that were there, and "remembered" 2 words that weren't there... if I recall that correctly. Definitely lured once or twice.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
Week 2 definitely gave us some interesting insight into different estimator and especially system variables.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
Glad DS Sund avoided a major bias trap by taking statements separately.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
My notes were a little better considering the witnesses were interrogated separately. I could have been better at differentiating the masked robbers though. I think for initial statements DS Sund did well in capturing each account by allowing both to describe what happened. The statements that overlapped are probably the most reliable pieces of evidence in...
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
The one detail that sticks out to me the most is that Seth said the kidnapper had dark sunglasses but DI Bullet then says he had dark hair also when only the length was mentioned for him. When DI Bullet checks this with the witnesses they don't point out any inconsistencies and it is now on his report. DI Bullet was quick to finish the interrogation as if he...
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
I should break down my notes better and go line by line.
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@AdrienneHorrocks One of my past undergraduate colleagues is or was doing researching on this topic in application to police report accuracy. If I find it happens to be finished, I'll add it here.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
For reliability, forensic science relies on multiple layers of evidence and testing to be more accurate and would have to acknowledge and spectrum of options, bell curves, and probability- or chances there was a change or not. Witness evidence may be able to recognize someone's characteristics at the time, but when comparing to other look alikes, can witnesses...
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Very true, citizen groups are still having to fight for the innocent on death row. Sometimes they are still executed despite the evidence that proves they could not have possibly committed the crime :'(
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
Having heard of Kitty's case, I would have to make a conscious decision to be more than a bystander and make sure to intervene in the best way possible without causing more harm to the victim. This was the case, in a hit and run on my street. Everyone was quick to record the scene. The fender bender left the front bumper, so it was guessed that there was a...
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
I think Jennifer did her best to describe the rapist and happened to have a doppelganger in the lineup. Besides the physical characteristics, the investigation could have been a lot thorough. Detectives checking the suspect's alibi or something else, before DNA testing, could have excluded Ronald from conviction - if it relied on the lineup decision alone....
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
I did try to narrow it down - not exactly - but would say he looked very close to a mesh of three photos, this man's hairline, but with his eyebrows, and another's jawline, but mostly like one of the photos... I wouldn't necessarily trust the selection process but would try to break down by characteristics what a witness saw. On the other hand, someone can...
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
A police officer I know would rather let an offender go free than incarcerate an innocent person.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
Hi everyone, I am a board-certified forensic entomology technician. Through FutureLearn and TEEX, I am learning more about Forensic Psychology and the other forensic sciences and techniques.
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Thanks, Birgitta!
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and also that there was not only course content but also 'lab' DIY sections.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
This course has me feeling much more prepared to learn more about forensic sciences, learning so much from the course and case itself. I could talk all day about it but one I'd like to point out was seeing how different roles interact with the crime scene and evidence.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
This is great! I love behind the scenes and special effects.
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Interesting case study, especially since it was based on an actual event. I especially appreciate the forensic aspects, principles, and science presented in this course. Thanks to the course creators, educators, classmates, and FutureLearn for this experience! The last six weeks have be rough outside of the virtual world. Stay safe everyone and carry on.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
I agree with the prosecution and the crown proved their case beyond a reasonable doubt. Mr Ward admitted to being by the loch after he was confronted, so the impressions were likely his. And the BPA confirmed he was the shooter, which he admitted to, too. He changed his story yet again to fit the newfound evidence. The shootings were premeditated otherwise he...
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Bullets to the cranium don't necessarily exit but are stopped in the head, even in close quarters. That would take a larger weapon.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
The bleeding, two spent cartridges, and BPA reconstructs the shooting inside the vehicle. The tyre and footwear impressions were by the gun in the loch (server's recall) and compared to be a match. Fingerprints and testimony showed 'Dougan'/Thompson touched the car. Mr Ward's conflicting accounts, Debbie's testimony, and no missing jewelry found points only to...
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
Thanks for the tables. Made writing the case study report lots easier.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
I believe the court reaching a decision is based on reviewing all the evidence objective and subjective. Objective is more definite and subjective is more supportive. For example, the car tyres -there are more like them but it is a bit exclusive because that pattern barely came out... Overall, it is like viewing a Venn diagram where the circles have a portion...
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
Forensic science is the fundamental sciences which 'who, what, when, when, where, why, and how' are applied in order for a court to reach their decision. The evidence is extracted as carefully as possible at or from the crime scene for independent examination using scientific methods and null and alternative hypotheses whose conclusions are delivered for the...
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
Was the loch a place known for drug transactions or was this an isolated incident?
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
From their biology (in some substances) to the chemistry, this week has tied together whatever choppy bits I learned before about the drugs of abuse topic. I suppose it will be useful in my work in the case toxicology of a victim is passed to immature insects whose growth and size accelerate with stimulants. It is surprising how the fingerprints in the Wards'...
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
These businesses probably do their best to avoid a paper trail, but there is no avoiding the chemical trail.
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Melissa Espinoza replied to Melissa Espinoza
*ideally
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
I learned from another FutureLearn forensic course about the SWGDRUG testing standards. A presumptive test allows for follow-up but is not enough alone. It takes several tests to have enough confirmation by court standards. Two or three tests depending on the class type reaching the same conclusion.
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I agree with @Amanda. Seems anything is used and abused for its effects.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
Wow, the data is overwhelming. I was not aware of the situatuion in the "Old World" - where C. sativa originated in the first place - as I was only really aware of it being in the Americas.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
I learned much more about firearms than I ever have before in 4.2. It was exciting seeing the weapon fished out of the loch. Definitely lots of terminology associated with marks, as well as, chemistry involved. I also like the supplements created by specialist organizations being provided. I was wondering if the footmarks database is available for viewing or...
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
Many of those footmarks look to be really well printed enough to identify class characteristics for most of them and some have possible subcharacteristics such as wear and punctures. I can imagine each footmark belongs to closed-toe shoes. A couple are trainers, probably a Timberland boot for the 2D blood mark, and the others are like casual sneakers... I...
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
Impressed by all the different chemicals used to record and recover footmarks from various substrates.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
Some developments in interpretation seemed to be already addressed amongst other standardizations. SWGTREAD has created a multiple-choice evaluation spectrum analysis which is better then just 'yes, it is' or 'no, it is not' a match. In addition, due to changes from continued wear, testimony reports should address which class and individual characteristics...
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
The 'Copyrite' casting material is very interesting. Learning something new everyday. Entomologists also use stereomacroscopes (but not comparing) to view morphological characteristics and classify insects down to species.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
Only familiar with guns with what I have seen on action movies and shows (maybe one other diagram), I have no experience or knowledge of automatic weapons. This is the first time studying firearms, powders, and gunshot residue, so learning quite a bit.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
Reviewing PCR gave me more clarification with the sources provided. I learned more about the history of the different analysis and techniques for DNA and blood spatter and even some diy. These analyses in the case gave us answers differing from Mr. Ward's initial statement.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
You're one in a billion. There are 7.5+billion of us currently alive today. I'm not the only person with my DNA signature - there are up to 7 people sharing my DNA around the world. There are only so many patterns possible.
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Melissa Espinoza replied to Melissa Espinoza
*leuco crystal violet
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
Hi Laura, did the examiners enhance the stains with luminol or violet to view the spatter on the dark seat covers before they strung the trajectories? If so, wouldn't this degrade the DNA samples?
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Melissa Espinoza replied to Jakub Sláma
Agreed, it's a privilege lost.
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Melissa Espinoza replied to Alfred Smith
Interesting points about non-criminal DNA also involved in the C.J. system.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
I agree national DNA databases should contain convicted criminal DNA information, but not so much for the general public whose individual submission should only be voluntary and at their cost. I agree with a point on the last listed video, that samples should be discarded/destroyed after processing and only the information remain so there is less of a chance...
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
Best visual of PCR I've seen so far.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
The biological evidence and the analysis so far shows there is Kastle-Meyer test positive spatter on the vehicle seat cover from around where Ms. Ward was (possibly indicating it is blood from the wound on her head caused by a "gunshot" during the "robbery.")
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Melissa Espinoza replied to marie i
So far, the Kastle-Meyer test indicates the presence of iron (hemoglobin (blood)). Iron being an inorganic element does not necessarily degrade like the organic material, as long as the stain remains. There would have to other* tests to determine the age of the spatter, otherwise, they are relying on the pattern in the context of the crime scene.
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Arterial blood would have higher velocity spatter in bleeding from comparable wounds. It also has higher oxygen levels then venal blood, but I'm not sure if there is analysis on that. Blood thinner might lead to more bleeding than usual since it prevents clotting... All which could depend if the blood is still flowing (person is still alive) during impact. I...
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
I think this is the first time I learned of 'voids' in blood spatter which seem to be just as important to the case.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
Great introduction, sources, and questions. I like how in the video by the Smithsonian Channel, the BPA used lasers for the trajectory.
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USA: FBI's CODIS, which also implemented by states, e.g. TX DPS.
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Melissa Espinoza replied to Melissa Espinoza
In Texas, TxDPS (Department of Public Safety) implements CODIS.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
In the USA, the FBI have CODIS or Combined DNA Index System which contains criminal and suspect DNA from national, state, and local levels.
The time a property manager keeps DNA samples varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/your-dna-police-database-flna6C10617124 -
Melissa Espinoza made a comment
I enjoyed presentations, sources, discussions, and activities. In addition, I like the current perspective and example cases that challenge the each fingerprint is 'unique'. And of course, finding the fingerprints known and unknown from the vehicle examination.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
The Ward's fingerprints were expected to be on and in the vehicle. We'd have to find out who the third set of fingerprints belong to and whether they are Alan's, any of the first responders not wearing, or are unknown altogether.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
I mostly have the typical loops and few whorls. I also had my thumbprint inked onto a police report when I reported my bike stolen.
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Ridges can wear out over time.
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Without a murder weapon at the scene, I would have the vehicle's inner and outer surfaces analyzed for any fingermarks and compared to the Ward's (and unknown) fingerprints in order to determine who was there.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
Fingerprint analysis is more reliable to support each is unique, but not quite when looking at fingermarks, especially partials. I agree with Champod fingerprint evidence should be testified in probability ("95% chance of a match if the defendant left the mark, but a one in a billion chance of a match if someone else left it") and that this should be...
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
It is tempting to theorise in the beginning after looking at the crime scene. It will be interesting to find what the evidence and thorough examination will show us.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
Great Q & A here!
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
Following CSM John's ABC's would avoid the capital mistake to theorise before gathering all of the data and cherry-picking data to fit a certain theory. Be inductive, not deductive.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
I now have a more complete perspective after reviewing the 6 W's principles and CoPRRR aspects - while beginning to apply them to a case, as well as, the history and relevant quotes, terms, and themes.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
Who: Gordan Ward, Mrs. Ward (victim), Mr. Alan Dougan, & robber/shooter -unknown
What: Murder, "robbery"
When: "after Sunday lunch" before 3:30 PM, Aug 4th 2013
- when 'discovered' by Alan
-where: Ross Loan access road to Ross Priory
Where: Ross Priory on the banks of Loch Lomond (murder location)
How: gunshots
Why??? "to rob Mrs. Ward's... -
Melissa Espinoza made a comment
Who is the murderer? Where is the weapon? Where are the "robbed" items that could link to the Mr. Ward's account of the incident?
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
Hi, I reregistered for the course in order to take it live.
I'll be catching up starting with week 2.Forensic science is science applied to a case.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
I enjoyed learning history from land continents and seas aways. Connecting remains in their current state with the history and history back to the remains in a respectful forensic context through chemistry, DNA, archives, and archaeologist gives us stories to be told today.
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Melissa Espinoza made a comment
I find the Working with the Mithakans case to me has the most profound impact. The current descendants are reconnecting with their ancestors and artifacts while discovering their heritage.
