Page 28 - The Smoking Gun Gunshot Residue
P. 28
Mock
Trial
USING THIS KIT IN THE MOCK TRIAL If Gunshot Residue is the only kit done in the
A Smoking Gun contains information that could Mystery of Lyle and Louise, a mock trial is unlikely
prove if either of the victims had handled or shot a to be useful, as prosecution has little evidence to try
gun before their death. The evidence collected in a suspect. Instead, leave the results as an exercise
this lab cannot prove conclusively that any specific in gunshot residue analysis. If other exercises were
person was present at the scene of the crimes performed, a mock trial can help students take all
and cannot attest to the actions of that person. If of the evidence presented in the investigation and
everything in the lab was performed correctly, you available from other kits into account and provide a
should have obtained the following information: more interesting and thorough trial. Information on
running a mock trial follows.
Gunshot residue was detected on the
right hand and right web of Lyle Mondelo. BEFORE THE TRIAL
Gunshot residue was not present on his If a more thorough social studies activity is
left hand, or on either hand of Louise desired, students may be instructed to read
Mondelo. This should indicate that Lyle through the procedures for trial of criminal cases
somehow handled the gun with his right and the simplified rules of evidence. Additionally,
hand only. lessons designed to familiarize students with the
The evidence does not prove that Lyle fired court system and judicial procedure may prove
a gun, though it leaves many questions beneficial.
about why only his right hand had gunshot
residue, if he fired a gun before his death,
and why (if there was a gun at the crime BRAINSTORMING
scene), neither of the victims died of a Using the story and module evidence, list the facts
gunshot wound. A hypothesis may be of the case on the board.
formed about the events surrounding the
death of the victims. Determine, as a class, who should be charged for
each crime.
28 THE MYSTERY OF LYLE AND LOUISE
