Lecture Notes: Crime Scene Investigation and Interrogation Techniques

Emergency Call and Crime Scene

• Date and Time: August 20, 2020, at 5 am.
• Location: Sugar Creek Bridge.
• Initial Report: Dead body mistaken for roadkill.
• Victim: Deceased middle-aged woman, headless body with extensive bruising.
• Position of Body: Stuffed under bridge's guardrail, upper body on road, legs hanging off the bridge.

Missing Person Report

• Reporter: Michael Parks reported his wife, Hope Parks, missing.
• Timeline: Last seen on a Tuesday following an argument.
• Description Provided: Hope's tattoos, including a heart with Michael’s name.

Interrogation of Michael Parks

Initial Interrogation

• Room Type: Soft interrogation room (used for victims)
• Detective’s Approach: Informal, alleviates concerns by stating recording is for notes.
• Michael’s Behavior: Shares about recent arguments over their son, control issues, facial and hand gestures indicating stress and anxiety.

Key Observations

• Michael’s Negative Remarks: Constantly speaks negatively about his wife and son, shows potential control issues.
• Behavioral Cues: Face-rubbing, mouth covering, genital covering, which signify anxiety and possibly hiding truth.
• Admittance to Anger Issues: Takes medication for anger, claims never acted on it.

Interrogation Tactics

• Tactful Questioning: Detective remains calm, non-confrontational to keep Michael talking.
• Bait Question: Surprises Michael about the blood found in the house; Michael offers explanations about personal injuries and accidents.
• Behavior under Pressure: Fidgeting when asked to consent to a house search, pacing when left alone.

Key Findings from the House Search

• Blood Evidence: Blood found in various areas around and inside the house and garage.
• Forensic Evidence: Hope’s severed head found in the basement, hidden under debris.
• Michael’s Reaction: Limited emotion, exasperation rather than shock.

Michael’s Second Interrogation

Confession Details

• Version of Events: Claims accidental shooting while cleaning gun, panicked and covered up the incident.
• Discrepancies: Autopsy showed a contact wound, conflicting with his story.
• Detectives Press: Offer alternative narratives to elicit a truthful confession.

Michael’s Behaviors and Responses

• Physical Signs: Protective posture, frequent fidgeting, covering face when stressed.
• Emotional Inconsistencies: Lack of genuine emotional responses, selective memory concerning dismemberment.
• Slip-Up: Initially fails to mention argument during shooting, later admits.

Legal Rights Invocation

• Initial Hesitation: Incomplete statement about needing a lawyer.
• Final Statement: Clear request for an attorney, ending the interrogation.

Third Interrogation Attempt

• Without Lawyer: Michael requests another meeting with detectives.
• New Admissions: Detailed accidental shooting, stated panic as the reason for dismemberment.
• Behavioral Indications: Lack of strong emotional response when recounting the incident.

Court Case and Conclusion

Evidence Against Michael

• Premeditation Evidence: Online search history on improvised gun silencers proved premeditation.
• Court Outcome: Michael Parks changed plea to guilty, accepted plea deal.
• Sentence: 50 years without parole, release projected in 2070.

Communication with Michael Parks

• Requests: Demands including monetary compensation and specific items in exchange for his side of the story.
• Response Status: Awaiting further communication from Michael Parks.

Key Learnings:

• Interview Techniques: Importance of non-confrontational approach, bait questioning.
• Behavioral Analysis: Subtle cues indicating stress, deception, such as face-touching, protective postures.
• Evidence Handling: Importance of forensic evidence in corroborating or refuting suspect’s stories.
• Legal Processes: Suspect’s invocation of right to attorney must be clear for statements to be inadmissible.