Skip to content A crime scene may contain evidence that is invisible to the naked eye.
DNA testing can potentially identify individuals who came into contact with an object or location. Fingerprint analysis can help determine who handled particular surfaces. Toxicology testing can reveal whether drugs, alcohol or other substances were present in a victim’s system.
Autopsies can also help determine the cause and manner of death.
That information is especially important when the circumstances surrounding a death are unclear.
A person may appear to have died from one cause while medical examination reveals something entirely different.
For that reason, investigators generally avoid drawing final conclusions before forensic examinations are completed.
A Story That Spread Quickly Online
The case has also demonstrated how quickly disturbing stories can spread through social media.
A short headline containing words such as “couple,” “car,” “suspect” and “shocking discovery” can attract thousands of clicks within a short period.
As users share the story, additional details may be added.
Some may come from genuine witnesses. Others may be guesses. Still others may simply be invented.
Within hours, an incomplete report can become a highly dramatic narrative that bears little resemblance to the original facts.
This is particularly dangerous in criminal cases.
False accusations can damage innocent people’s lives, interfere with investigations and create unnecessary fear.
Readers should therefore be cautious when encountering dramatic claims that do not identify a reliable source.
What Investigators Will Need to Establish