Case Study Analysis The Enrique Camarena Case Essays -

Case Study Analysis: The Enrique Camarena Case George Hinton CRJ 311: Forensics Gary Naylor 6/15/17 In 1985, Enrique Camarena, a United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) special agent Enrique Camarena, and a DEA source, Captain Zavala, were abducted in Mexico. This particular case involved peculiar forensic issues that necessitated abnormal solutions. The case generated one of the largest investigations by the DEA. On February 7, 1985, the two men were abducted. Eventually, their partly decomposed bodies were found and then autopsies were performed at morgues in Guadalajara. The two slightly decomposed bodies had been wrapped in plastic bags before they were found, and prior to arriving at the morgue, hair and blood samples were extracted from the victims' bodies. The forensics team removed what evidence they possibly could such as soil samples from the body's location that varied from that on the bodies. Forensics issues arose from contamination of crime scenes and evidence destruction encountered during the forensic analyses. The United States law enforcement personnel was resisted and denied accessibility to evidence for a while. Subsequent investigation efforts by a FBI forensic team were hindered by Mexican local officials causing bureaucratic delays. This made it evident that particular Mexican police officials had been paid off to obstruct the process and shut down the investigation prematurely. The FBI was finally granted access to the crime scene site, however, the amount of contamination was excessive due to constant foot traffic at the scene. The scene was left unsecured so law enforcement officials and random visitors from the public population were able to navigate through and touch whatever they wanted. The FBI was restricted in its search and only provided a minimal soil sample. After finally being granted access to where the bodies were kept several days later, the FBI found the unit cleaned the out with evidence removed. The search of the grounds by the FBI forensic team did ultimately yield a license plate in a drain which it photographed and also gathered evidence near the scene. After the police determined a suspect, they were able to also get a vehicle and search it. "The FBI forensic team processed the vehicle for any hair, fiber, blood, and/or fingerprint evidence it might contain" (Saferstein, 2011). Numerous buildings were found once officials were able to search the residence and the holding place of the bodies was determined to be a room in a smaller building. The door of the single room was reinforced with steel and iron. Evidence from forensics and testimony provided determination that Camerena was held and tortured in this room (Saferstein, 2011). Burial sheets, pillowcases, and rope were pieces of significant evidence discovered at the crime scene as well as unsoiled rope from the victims' bodies. Hair samples were extracted from the suspects and tested against samples removed from the victims. There were also carpet fibers which matched carpet in the suspects' house. The litany of errors weren't the fault of one source alone but others of a group or groups involved in attempted cover-up of criminal activity. Ignorance of proper procedure also played a part. Mistake number one stemmed from the crime scene not being secured initially; this led to contamination of the scene. Nothing was documented or recorded. The FBI was not able to start its process in a timely manner after being notified. Presumption could be made that the FBI did not act fast enough or it did not get the necessary paperwork to start its response initially. The initial search was conducted after discovery of evidence rather than law enforcement personnel prompting the search. The complications were overcome by use of unconventional methods and tactical bypassing of specific routine proceedings. Eventually, the complications were negated and virtually all evidence presented at trial factored heavily into the outcome. The trial, which lasted eight weeks, was carried out beneath tight security, and hundreds of witnesses. Each defendant was ultimately convicted on every count as they were found guilty and sentenced to lengthy sentences. In conclusion, the case of Enrique Camarena and Captain Zavala yielded a little amount of evidence. Yet, this was sufficient enough for criminal conviction. Bribery, criminal activity, and mistakes all played a part in this case. Inadequate searches were conducted, and the Mexican government would not divulge most information it had. The fact that it took nearly three years and innumerable searches to ultimately bring the killers to justice is unimaginable. In my mind, immediate notification to the FBI could have eliminated a lot of mistakes which were made. The FBI was limited based on the lack of information it received, but it did the best