Holmes’ Method of Madness

The popular television show, CSI: Crime Scene Investigations has been on the air for 12 years, and it has brought forth the behind-the-scenes actions of criminal investigations, even if its portrayals are not always scientifically accurate. This has caused an interest in the forensic sciences that has led most people to a skewed view of how a criminal investigation actually works. The reality of a criminal investigation is that it is generally more tedious and difficult than the theory of criminal investigation would have you believe. By examining the forensic and investigative procedures of the case of Pamela Foddrill, it is apparent that the theory of criminal investigation was not representative of the procedures concerning examination

The other detail that is

Investigators can find clues from a murder through a number of different ways. Typically they find out how many times

The definition of forensic science is any scientific research, method, or theory used to analyze evidence in an attempt to solve legal cases (Cho). In recent years, there has been growing public interest in forensic science, arguably because of the numerous television programs that glamorize its practices. This phenomenon is part of what is known as the CSI effect, or the process through which devoted fans of popular crime dramas develop unrealistic notions of forensic science methods, practices, and their applications in real life cases (Mancini 544; Stevens 37; Ley, Jankowski, and Brewer 52). The CSI effect has had more negative impacts on forensic science and society than positive impacts, especially in regards to what goes on in the

Remember that detail means the specifics in the story. This may include the time and place as well as any details that appeal to the sense of sight, hearing, taste, touch or smell. Look back at The Rattler and underline 6 details.

Details are the significant part of the story that gives clues to the reader what's going on the scene. For example, from the Great Gatsby passage: The eye of Doctor T.J. are blue and gigantic. This phrase states that the author is attempting to make the reader ponder about how is the eye relevant to the story and what does it have to do with the valley. Besides, it gives them clues about what does doctor T.J's eyes symbolize. On the passage, there's another example of the detail that plays a significant role in letting the reader know about the situation. For example, The valley of ashes is bounded on one side by a small foul river. This sentence also acts as a detail of the passage because it provides the fact of the valley of ashes saying that the valley also has a small river. Because of this details, it shows that the author provided everything that assists the reader to comprehend the scene.

The case that I will be discussing is the cold murder case of Lucille Johnson from Salt Lake City, Utah. Unfortunately, at the time of the murder the investigators didn’t take certain evidence serious in the case. The investigators thought that it was just evidence that had no meaning. None the less, it ended up convicting the murderer, John Sansing.

While there has been criticism of the Holmesian method of deduction, many people support the idea that the use of deducing people can help with capture of criminals. While Holmes refers to his findings as deduction himself many people say, “that the process that Sherlock Holmes engages in is usually not deduction” (Novella). Deduction is defined as using a logic method of assumptions based on general statements about the world (Novella). However, Holmes himself makes more of an educated inference on what he observes about the suspects and evidence in his surroundings. The term “Holmesian Deduction” has been used to distinguish the two different methods (Novella). Holmes most famous quote, “when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth”, is often cited as the best definition to his method of deduction. While it is not a method commonly used now thanks to more advances in crime fighting methods and technology, Holmesian deduction has certainly influenced that way we look at a crime scene.

The homicide scene introduces Holmes's incredible reasoning processes. In a search to figure out the answer to a death, the local detectives call in Holmes. The man, who had a boarding pass for a flight that crashed the day before, appears suspiciously dead in the trunk of a car. Within thirty seconds of investigation, Holmes's observations lead him to over four conclusions. As Holmes searches through the contents found on the dead man's body, the point of view is placed directly through Sherlock's eyes. His eyes focus on intricate

“My mind," he said, "rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work, give me the most abstruse cryptogram or the most intricate analysis, and I am in my own proper atmosphere. I can dispense then with artificial stimulants. But I abhor the dull routine of existence. I crave for mental exaltation” (Sign of Four 6). Sherlock Holmes can not only solve the mysteries that are presented to him, but he can solve them with ease because of his reasoning skills. In particular, he mostly uses abductive reasoning, but sometimes he uses deductive and inductive reasoning. This also overlaps into mathematics, with proofs and inferences.

By now the crime scene has been labeled a homicide and detectives have been dispatched to the scene. When the detectives arrive the lead officer will then provide a detailed crime scene briefing to the detective in charge of the scene. This briefing will be the only opportunity for the detective to receive the initial aspects of the crime scene prior to subsequent investigation. Since the crime scene and any/all evidence collected are the key factors in making a case, the crime scene must be documented as soon as possible including, appearance and condition of the scene upon arrival, lights on/off, shades up/down, doors, windows open/closed, any unusual smells, ice, liquids, weather conditions, temperature, and any personal items that may have been left behind. Once the lead detective has been briefed and evaluates the scene him/herself, he/she will then need to determine if consent to search and/or obtaining a search warrant is needed. The scene assessment allows the lead detective

The declaration Holmes refers to is an affirmation of Life; specifically, life as you desire to live it. It is a statement of confidence, faith, understanding, and acceptance, for it is the culmination of the reasoning and inspiration that has transpired while giving yourself a good talking to. Usually, a declaration of this sort is made in the midst of an affirmative prayer, though it might also take the form of a statement of intent, or an announcement of your goals and objectives, or even as your personal declaration of independence. Most importantly though, your declaration serves as confirmation of your acceptance of life on your terms. People often make declarative statements without benefit of forethought, describing life as undesirable

So for an example, the investigator can say, this is a murder, the person was stabbed, and the motive was this person was caught having an affair. After the investigator comes up with his hypotheses he/she will then test it, if the evidence does not support his/her theory then he would start over on figuring out what, why and how it all occurred.

Throughout the story, readers see Watson doing some investigating without much luck. However, when Holmes shows back up it is like all the little thing that Watson is looking over is starting to make since. When readers first learn of Ronald Adair’s murder, Watson notices a bullet lodged in his head, but that is about the only clues the readers get to see besides a pile of money laid upon a table. As soon as Holmes shows up though these little clues start to piece together. After the capture of Colonel Moran and his air-gun Holmes says, “…I knew of the existence of this remarkable gun, and I knew also that one of the best shots in the world would be behind it” (Doyle, 1994, p. 246). At first the clues look pointless, but Holmes shows the reader how Moran is using them in his attacks. Even though the clues did little to nothing to help the reader in solving the crime themselves, Doyle did provide clues for the reader that sparked the uncertainty of the

The greater the time between the crime, documentation, collection, and examination of a crime scene, the harder it will be to reconstruct it due to changes constantly occurring. A crime scene is built on all available evidence, even what appears to be the absence of evidence. When lack of science, lack of research, or a poorly searched crime scene is the reason for a solid conclusion this can result in evidence not being