Scene of Crime Reconstruction Using Modern Forensic Technology

[Holly Goodhead]

The soc at WHF was complex especially for a country with very low crime rates involving firearms.  Imo the experts at trial and JB's defence were out of their depth in dealing with such a soc.  25 or 26 gunshot wounds  inflicted on 5 murder victims or 4 murder victims and 1 suicide over 3 or 4 different areas of the property dependent on your point of view.   

No attempt has ever been made to create a forensic reconstruction.  It seems all the information is available though:

- soc photos showing the exact location of casings found and exited bullets
- autopsy report and photos showing trajectories and wound tracks
- soc photos and reports showing bloodstaining to victims clothes, carpets and objects in the vicinity eg bible and socks
- ballistics evidence by way of distance of shots

To create a 3d animated model for court would require accurate measurements from within WHF which the CCRC have the power to obtain.

The following are examples:

http://www.allianceforensics.com/srv_fanim.shtml

https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/bca/bca-divisions/forensic-science/Pages/forensic-programs-crime-scene-ssrecon.aspx

[scipio_usmc]

A crime reconstruction is not always needed to prove guilt.  Today it is done moreso to head off claims a defense might make but also because it can be really powerful at swaying a jury.

In cases with supposed accidents or suicides a reconstruction can be extra significant because that will be the main evidence at issue.

In this case the main reconstruction of significance related to the supposed suicide and moderator.


A reconstruction of the other murders would not in and of itself prove who the shooter was. The ancillary issue of blood and GSR spoke to such.

BUT consider the Oscar Pistorius. A reconstruction was done to show the shooting was not consistent with his claims. The nature of the case will hold how significant a reconstruction can be.