Trayvon Martin/George Zimmerman case is a case that dramatically influenced forensic science. On the night of February 26, 2012, Trayvon Martin a 17 year old high school student was fatally shot by George Zimmerman in Sanford, Florida, The United States. Gorge Zimmerman, who was a 28 year old man of mixed race (Hispanic) was the coordinator for a neighborhood watch for the gated community where Trayvon Martin was living temporarily (Gray 2012). The 17 year old Trayvon Martin was unarmed during the incident but after the police arrived at the scene following a call from Zimmerman, they questioned him for a continuous five hours before releasing him on the conclusions that his assertions that he was acting in self-defense were substantiated
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The additional evidence that was released included video and audio recordings, photos, and statements from witnesses and evidence from Zimmerman after the shooting incident- clothes, weapon, and the data from his cell phone (Buckley 2013). However, the evidence that provided a dramatic landmark was retrieved from the DNA samples of Zimmerman, forensic analysis of his scrum injury and his medical records. Additionally, forensic information regarding to Trayvon on the regard of technical biological DNA evidence, evidence of tracing, gunshot residue and forensic data from fingerprint analysis were very fundamental in settling the case (Buckley …show more content…
It was a case whereby Zimmerman was acquitted for fatally shooting Trayvon Martin after forensic evidence coincided with the claims made by Zimmerman in his account of the events that surrounded the incident. In a verdict that saw the jury unanimously deliver the not guilty verdict in a second-degree murder case, it showed the changing role of forensic science in criminal investigations. Strategies used by forensic science laboratory management in the past to manage case workloads are no longer satisfactory to the public. This is a role that significantly increases the vitality of the role of forensic science in investigations, which can be argued to be due to the rise in forensic science awareness and the reportedly positive technological advances (Crimesider Staff
The additional evidence that was released included video and audio recordings, photos, and statements from witnesses and evidence from Zimmerman after the shooting incident- clothes, weapon, and the data from his cell phone (Buckley 2013). However, the evidence that provided a dramatic landmark was retrieved from the DNA samples of Zimmerman, forensic analysis of his scrum injury and his medical records. Additionally, forensic information regarding to Trayvon on the regard of technical biological DNA evidence, evidence of tracing, gunshot residue and forensic data from fingerprint analysis were very fundamental in settling the case (Buckley …show more content…
It was a case whereby Zimmerman was acquitted for fatally shooting Trayvon Martin after forensic evidence coincided with the claims made by Zimmerman in his account of the events that surrounded the incident. In a verdict that saw the jury unanimously deliver the not guilty verdict in a second-degree murder case, it showed the changing role of forensic science in criminal investigations. Strategies used by forensic science laboratory management in the past to manage case workloads are no longer satisfactory to the public. This is a role that significantly increases the vitality of the role of forensic science in investigations, which can be argued to be due to the rise in forensic science awareness and the reportedly positive technological advances (Crimesider Staff