Lecture Notes on Unsolved Cases and the Vidocq Society

Introduction

• Overview of cold cases and the challenges faced by homicide investigators.
• Introduction to the Vidocq Society, an elite group of forensic experts.

Case Study 1: Terry Brooks Murder

Incident

• Date: February 4, 1984
• Location: Falls Township, Pennsylvania
• Victim: Terry Brooks, a 25-year-old fast food restaurant manager.
• Discovery: Found murdered in the restaurant with signs of struggle (stabbed, beaten).

Initial Investigation

• Clues and Evidence:
  • No forced entry, suggesting she knew her assailant.
  • Fingerprint found on trash bag covering her face matched a co-worker.
  • Interviews revealed Terry was well-liked, had recently gotten engaged.
• Theories:
  • Initial theory focused on robbery due to recent fast food robberies in the area.
  • Investigators explored the possibility of a personal motive.

Re-examination of Case

• In 1998, Falls Township police reopened the case after 14 years due to physical evidence.
• Detective Sergeant Wynn Cloud found inconsistencies in the original investigation.
• New evidence suggested Terry may have let her killer inside.

Involvement of the Vidocq Society

• The society was established to solve unsolved homicides.
• Detective Cloud presented the case to the Vidocq Society members.
• Findings:
  • Crime scene analysis indicated a personal motive and that the robbery was staged.
  • Profile of the suspect suggested someone with a troubled personal history.
  • Created a psychological profile linking Terry's fiancé, Scott Keith, as a potential suspect.

Evidence Collection and Conclusion

• Cold case analysis led to new DNA evidence from the original crime scene.
• Scott Keith was ultimately found to match DNA evidence.
• Confession:
  • Keith confessed after being confronted with evidence, revealing he killed Terry during a fight.
  • He staged the scene to make it appear like a robbery.
• Keith sentenced to life in prison.

Case Study 2: Scott Dunn Disappearance

Incident

• Date: May 19, 1991
• Location: Lubbock, Texas
• Victim: Scott Dunn, a 24-year-old man who disappeared under suspicious circumstances.

Initial Investigation

• Scott's father, Jim Dunn, reported his son missing; evidence of a violent struggle found in his girlfriend’s apartment.
• Blood stains and a cut piece of carpet were discovered, indicating foul play.

Key Suspects

• Alisha Hamilton: Scott’s girlfriend, had a history of jealousy and control issues.
• Tim Smith: A neighbor who was allegedly harassing Alisha.
• Key evidence: Duct tape found linked to both Tim and Alisha.

Challenges in Investigation

• Without a body, it was difficult to prove homicide.
• Lubbock authorities struggled with the lack of concrete evidence to warrant a murder investigation.

Role of the Vidocq Society

• Jim Dunn presented the case to the Vidocq Society, seeking help.
• The society provided insights that helped redefine the case as a homicide investigation.

Breakthrough in Evidence

• Blood spatter analysis indicated a violent murder.
• Hair samples linked Tim and Alisha to the crime scene, leading to their arrests.

Conclusion

• Both were found guilty of murder without a body ever being found.
• Jim Dunn became involved with the Vidocq Society to assist other victims’ families.

The Vidocq Society

• Named after Eugene François Vidocq, a pioneer of modern criminal investigation.
• Comprised of law enforcement and forensic experts, focusing on unsolved crimes.
• The society aims to provide new perspectives and techniques to solve cold cases.