Homicide Investigation: The O. J. Simpson Case

In a homicide investigation, there are many factors which may impact the likelihood of a successful case. In order for a suspect to be convicted on trial, investigative processes must be followed that involve several imperative elements. However, sometimes these procedures aren’t followed and it is in these circumstances that major errors and flaws in the inquiry process are exhibited. It is then due to this that recommendations and frameworks must be created in order to avoid such weaknesses in future cases. Although, sometimes extrinsic factors, such as the influence of the media, may also impact the outcomes of such cases. An example that is able to be critiqued for such errors in investigative processes is that of the O.J. Simpson case …show more content…
Simpson has often been described as the most publicised criminal case in American history (Taupin, 2013). This is seen due to Simpson’s celebrity status as a former American football star and actor which caused the trials to be repeatedly covered by the media and under close eye of the general public. The case consisted of the murder of two individuals; Nicole Simpson, the ex-wife of O.J. Simpson, and Ronald Goldman. As part of a criminal homicide investigation, there are three sectors for which the investigation may be divided; initial response phase, case building phase and case management phase. The Initial Response Phase consists of the preservation of life and property, securing evidence, and identifying victims and suspects (ACPO, 1999). In the O.J. Simpson case, it was established on scene, when uniformed police arrived, that both of the victims were deceased and therefore life was unable to be preserved (People of the State of California v. Orenthal James Simpson, 1995). The victims were then identified as Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. The evidence was then collected and the crime scene was secured with only police and forensic access (People of the State of California v. Orenthal James Simpson, 1995). It was then in the period when Simpson was being notified of the death of Nicole Simpson that he became a suspect with evidence also being found on his property (People of the State of California v. Orenthal James Simpson, 1995). In the Case …show more content…
In the trial, the evidence was described as a ‘cesspool of contamination’ by defence attorney Johnnie Cochran (People of the State of California v. Orenthal James Simpson, 1995). During the trial, a 9-day testimony was made of Mr Dennis Fung, a Los Angeles Police Department Criminologist, who was working on the case. It was in this line of questioning conducted by Mr Goldberg which sought to honour the forensic evidence. Fung states in his questioning on April 3rd that there were in fact clerical errors in some of the reports and notes regarding too the blood stains of Simpson’s car and the blood trail leading from the vehicle towards the front entrance of the residence (People of the State of California v. Orenthal James Simpson, 1995). It is also mentioned that another blood stain on the property between a pile of blood-covered clothes leading to the west end of the property was also not collected. Mr Fung is then cross-examined by the defence attorney Mr Barry Scheck which seizes to discredit the police procedures and forensic evidence collection at the double murder scene. In his questioning, Mr Fung admits that the other criminalist on the case, Andrea Mazzola, was still in training when collecting blood evidence, the glove, the watch cap and the blood stain from the car