7 Jul 2022

92

The Enrique Camarena Case

Format: APA

Academic level: College

Paper type: Case Study

Words: 1089

Pages: 4

Downloads: 0

Forensic investigation is a strategy that has proved to pull out evidence of a crime from hidden stations and used it against suspects on trial ( Aquila et al., 2014) . The exercise requires the investigators to develop a strategy on how they will approach the crime scenes ( Aquila et al., 2014) . Circumstances encountered at the crime scene primarily dictate how the investigation shall be held ( Aquila et al., 2014) . For example, a homicide scenario is more likely to demand treatment and processing of evidence compared to burglary. However, all forensic investigations must align with the seven steps asserted by the criminal justice system ( Aquila et al., 2014) . The order of steps is flexible for adjustments to fit the current situation. 

For this case, the investigation is all about the abduction as well as the subsequent murder of special agent Enrique Camarena. It appears in records as one of the forensic investigation that required officers on the ground to conduct extensive research on the evidence before presenting it for trial. The evidence materials collected from all the crime scenes were tested at the FBI laboratory. The case was registered at the District law court of Los Angeles and issued case number 9.Vol. 58, September 1989. 

It’s time to jumpstart your paper!

Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.

Get custom essay

A forensic investigation is termed successful if valuable evidence is found proving that the suspects are associated with the crime ( Aquila et al., 2014) . In the case of Enrique Camarena, evidence collected includes the identification of 881 Lope De Vega as the actual site where Enrique Camarena was held by the abductors ( Aquila et al., 2014) . The “guest house” in Mexico was also found to be owned by the suspected criminals by the name Rene Verdugo and Sergio Espino Verdin. The officers in charge also presented with them a bunch of head hair that is believed to belong to Enrique Camarena ( Aquila et al., 2014) . The hair was traced in the in one of the rooms in the guest house and some from the VW Atlantic car located in room 4 of the same house ( Aquila et al., 2014) . Additionally, the forensic officers had collected polyester rug fibers that were dark and rose-colored which was a clear indication of the similarity between the sheets and tow pillowcases used during the burial of Enrique Camarena. The items were recovered in the room number 3 and 5 of the guest house. By the help of the FBI evidence investigation laboratory, the prosecuting department was able to certify Enrique Camarena was held hostage in the guest house. Evidence collected also proved that he was subjected to some suffering with his hair forcibly removed from the head. 

On the other hand, Captain Alfredo Zavala who is also said to be abducted and killed together with Enrique Camarena was associated with the available evidence. There was a Light-colored nylon rug fiber traced on his clothing and was present in the 881 Lope De Vega guest house carpet. These materials were collected during the second autopsy of the forensic investigation. After successful completion of the investigation process, the project controller prepared a report to forward to the court of law for trial ( Malone, 1989)

It is possible to give a brief analysis of how the investigation was carried out to come up with the list of evidence cataloged above after reading and understanding the case scenario. The first step that initiated the forensic investigation was establishing at the crime scene and detecting any health and safety measures required ( Malone, 1989) . The FBI team began by locating the focal point which was the Bravo Ranch in this case. It is where Enrique Camarena and Captain Zavala were being held captive by the drug traffickers ( Malone, 1989) . The MFJP team in collaboration with the FBI agents eliminated the gang of drug dealers in the ranch and eventually discovered the dead bodies by the roadside in Guadalajara state. 

The second activity was to secure the place and ensure that any available evidence is not interfered with. According to forensic investigation standard derived by Lord, movement of people in and out of the crime scene reduces the probability of gaining evidence material from the place. As a result, MFJP officers were quick enough to kill all the drug dealers in the ranch section and provided maximum security around the area ( Malone, 1989) . DEA agents also arrived a moment later to oversee the investigation. As a crucial stage in the survey journey, all the teams on the ground planned on how to conduct their research in an orderly manner. Though there were some disagreements, the DEA, FBI and MFJP officers worked together with a common objective of attaining valuable evidence forms the victimized location ( Malone, 1989)

After realizing that the bodies of the abducted victims were not buried within Bravo Ranch, officers had to do a primary survey of the affected region. That would help to look the actual place the scene was happening. It was at this stage when they found the dead wrapped in plastic bags and partially decomposed. Transportation of the dead along with other evidence materials was done to mark the process of documentation during the forensic investigation. Despite the fact that the copies were found, it did not indicate the end of the study ( Malone, 1989) . Instead, the officers in charge negotiated for another visit at the site so as to collect more detailed information regarding Enrique Camarena and Captain Zavala’s killing and abduction. 

During the secondary survey at the guest house in Mexico, investigators collected enough evidence to prove that suspects in custody were liable for the crime. The VW car, head hair, and rug fibers are some of the things that emphasized that could prove that Enrique Camarena was in there. Finally, evidence was taken to the lab for testing on whether they match with the theoretical perspective presented to the crime department ( Malone, 1989) . After verification, the case went to its final stage of forensic investigation which involved recording and preserving the evidence to present for trial in Los Angeles District Court. 

Ultimately, the only problems or weaknesses experienced in this case investigation process are destruction as well as contamination of evidence. Since there were Mexican government officials who had been paid a huge amount of money to decline the case, they contributed to the destruction of some evidence collected in the guest house. Contamination of proof had also occurred as a result of painting and refurbishing performed in the captive cells after the death of Enrique Camarena. Such situations like the destruction of evidence can be solved through making all material found classified, and nobody should have access except the forensic laboratory team. That may reduce the risk of losing them and also getting interfered with by other parties. On the other hand, the investigation team should learn how to act first enough to curb the chance of criminals contaminating the evidence. By so doing, fruits barred from such study are likely to create a great outcome like having the defendants serve a jail sentence. 

References 

Aquila, I., Ausania, F., Di Nunzio, C., Serra, A., Boca, S., Capelli, A.&Ricci, P. (2014). The Role of Forensic Botany in Crime Scene Investigation: Case Report and Review of Literature.    Journal of forensic sciences ,    59 (3), 820-824. 

Malone, M. P. (1989). The Enrique Camarena Case: A Forensic Nightmare.    FBI L. Enforcement Bull. ,    58 , 1. 

Illustration
Cite this page

Select style:

Reference

StudyBounty. (2023, September 16). The Enrique Camarena Case.
https://studybounty.com/the-enrique-camarena-case-case-study

illustration

Related essays

We post free essay examples for college on a regular basis. Stay in the know!

17 Sep 2023
Criminal Justice

Research in Criminal Justice

Research is the primary tool for progressing knowledge in different fields criminal justice included. The results of studies are used by criminal justice learners, scholars, criminal justice professionals, and...

Words: 250

Pages: 1

Views: 165

17 Sep 2023
Criminal Justice

The Art of Taking and Writing Notes in Law Enforcement

Every individual must seek adequate measures to facilitate input for appropriate output in daily engagements. For law enforcement officers, the work description involving investigations and reporting communicates the...

Words: 282

Pages: 1

Views: 183

17 Sep 2023
Criminal Justice

Justice System Issues: The Joseph Sledge Case

The Joseph Sledge case reveals the various issues in the justice system. The ethical issues portrayed in the trial include the prosecutor's misconduct. To begin with, the prosecution was involved in suppressing...

Words: 689

Pages: 2

Views: 252

17 Sep 2023
Criminal Justice

Victim Advocacy: Date Rape

General practice of law requires that for every action complained of there must be probable cause and cogent evidence to support the claim. Lack thereof forces the court to dismiss the case or acquit the accused. It...

Words: 1247

Pages: 4

Views: 76

17 Sep 2023
Criminal Justice

New Rehabilitation and Evaluation

Introduction The rate of recidivism has been on the rise in the United States over the past two decades. Due to mass incarceration, the number of people in American prisons has been escalating. While people...

Words: 2137

Pages: 8

Views: 140

17 Sep 2023
Criminal Justice

Justification of Reflections and Recommendations

Credible understanding and application of criminal justice require adequacy of techniques in analyzing the crime scene, documenting the shooting scene, and analysis of ballistic evidence. The approaches used in...

Words: 351

Pages: 1

Views: 128

illustration

Running out of time?

Entrust your assignment to proficient writers and receive TOP-quality paper before the deadline is over.

Illustration