Trace Evidence in the O.J. Simpson Case

Susan Brockband was a criminalist in the case that collected hair from the glove and cap found at the scene, but also found hair on the brown cap, shovel, towel, and a piece of plastic from the Bronco. (courttv.com) Hair trace evidence was found from Simpson on Goldman's shirt, and on the cap at the Bundy residence. Fiber trace evidence such as cotton fiber with the carpet in the Bronco was found on the glove at Rockingham. Fibers consistent with the carpet from the Bronco was found on the cap at the Bundy residence. Blood trace evidence the killer dropped near the shoe prints at the Bundy residence. The blood dropped at the Bundy residence was the same type as Simpson's. Simpson had fresh cuts on his left hand on the day after the murder. Blood was found in the Bronco, in the foyer and master bedroom in Simpson's home. It was also found in Simpson's driveway.

After all the trace evidence found, this case should have had a different verdict. The lack and reckless chain of custody by all the detectives and law enforcement involved all wanting to get in on the high profile case, all the trace evidence was contaminated due to human err. In this case, all the trace evidence was there, all the detectives had to do was preserve and protect the evidence, establish a chain of custody, and move towards a stronger case. (Lewis, 2004)

As a team we agree that we would have done many things differently. We would have followed the chain of custody. We would have been more careful when collecting the evidence, and documented correctly. A limited number of people would have collected the evidence from each crime scene to avoid contamination of the evidence.

This particular case was an eye opener for law enforcement agencies and how they handle a case. They learned a great deal of what NOT to do. They learned to be more careful and to be more thorough when handling such a case. They knew this case was a disaster, and they will not make that same mistake again. They learned to look at the big picture, to focus on what needs to be collected for the upcoming court case.

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