Arson Forensics and Crime Scene Determination: The Case of Cameron Todd Willingham
In assessing a crime scene an investigator must classify the decedent's death as natural, accidental, homicide or suicide. The nature of the subsequent investigation hinges on this initial determination. In February 2004, Cameron Todd Willingham was executed in Texas for allegedly setting the house fire that killed his three young daughters. Later investigations into the original scene assessment have cast grave doubts on Willingham's conviction.
For this assignment read Trial by Fire by David Grann and complete the following:
For this assignment read Trial by Fire by David Grann and complete the following:
- Make a list of all the arson indicators that were cited by the original investigators in Willingham's trial.
- Make a second list summarizing the subsequent analysis that Gerald Hurst made of each of the original indicators.
- What does this story leave you thinking about? Please write a 1 page reflection on your response to this story.
- Bring me your rough draft of all of the above for editing and further discussion.