Page 29 - Shot In The Dark Bullet Striations
P. 29
Mock
Trial
USING THIS KIT IN THE MOCK TRIAL If Bullet Striations is the only kit done in the
Shot in the Dark contains information that could Mystery of Lyle and Louise, a mock trial is
link the bullet at the cabin to the gun found in the unlikely to be useful, as prosecution has little
truck. The evidence collected in this lab cannot evidence to try a suspect. Instead, leave the
prove conclusively that any specific person was, results as an exercise in bullet analysis. If other
or was not, present at the scene of the crimes exercises were performed, a mock trial can help
and cannot attest to the actions of that person. If students take all of the evidence presented in
everything in the lab was performed correctly, you the investigation and available from other kits
should have obtained the following information: into account and provide a more interesting and
thorough trial. Information on running a mock
trial follows.
The striations indicate Bullets A and B
were fired from different guns. These
bullets did not come from the scene of BEFORE THE TRIAL
the crime and were merely provided as If a more thorough social studies activity is
sample bullets so that students could desired, students may be instructed to read
identify different striations. Bullet A was through the procedures for trial of criminal cases
fired from a 9mm Browning handgun, and and the simplified rules of evidence. Additionally,
Bullet B was fired from a Glock handgun. lessons designed to familiarize students with the
• The striations on Bullet A (from the cabin) court system and judicial procedure may prove
and Bullet B (from the handgun) matched beneficial.
sufficiently to prove that the bullets were
fired by the same gun.
BRAINSTORMING
• The evidence should place the gun at
both crime scenes, but does not prove Using the story and module evidence, list the facts
the identity of the shooter. A hypothesis of the case on the board.
may be formed about the identity of
the shooter(s), as well as the events Determine, as a class, who should be charged for
surrounding the crime. each crime.
THE MYSTERY OF LYLE AND LOUISE 29
