Bibliography

Investigation Procedure & Legal Standards.

APA Lab Report Template with Annotations, www.jcu.edu.sg/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/1217772/APA-Lab-Report-template-with-annotations.pdf. Accessed 13 May 2026. 

This pdf provides a clear example of how to format a professional lab report using APA 7th edition guidelines. It outlines each required section, including the title page, abstract, introduction, method, results, discussion, and references, while also showing how to use proper in-text citations and reference formatting. This source is important for our project because our investigation relies on documenting procedures, presenting evidence, and citing sources accurately.

Cotton, Stacey. “I060- Crime Scene Processing.” COVINGTON POLICE 

DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE, www.covingtonpolice.com/media/pdf/i060-%20crime%20scene%20processing.pdf. Accessed 11 May 2026.

An official document that outlines the standard procedure investigators must follow for each crime scene. After a scene is secured by a patrol officer, the Criminal Investigation Division is responsible for processing the crime scene. In NOPD, we are the investigation division. The document goes on to list the various procedures that should be conducted for every sort of evidence, including but not limited to DNA, Blood, Weapon, drug, etc. In our case, we must adhere to these standards and make sure we follow them correctly.

D.J, Jeremy Travis. U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice, Oct. 1999, www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/178240.pdf. 

This source explains how investigators should collect and evaluate witness testimony to reduce errors. It emphasizes that even honest witnesses can misremember details due to stress, personal beliefs, or suggestive questioning. The guide recommends using open-ended questions, carefully documenting statements, and avoiding leading questions that may influence the witness. This source is especially relevant to the Seb Pinnick case, where a Cajun witness reported seeing a “dragon” instead of a green truck because of local superstitions and misinterpretation. It helps us understand why witness testimony is valuable, but must be evaluated carefully

GFJC. “A Simplified Guide to Crime Scene Investigation” 

Www.forensicsciencesimplified.org Global Forensic and Justice Center, September 2013

This source dives into the details about the standard for trace investigation, along with standards for witnesses. In the Crescent City cannibal case that we are exploring, Seb Pinnick's death and subsequent investigation are highly reliant on witness and trace testimony. The leading hours up to his death were pieced together through witness integration. Some witnesses are noted to be less trustworthy than others. When admitting such evidence, we have to make sure they meet Section 701.  Section 701 states that the witness must have personal knowledge of the matter they are testifying about

Trace evidence

Barter, Andrea  R. “Fingerprint Identification and Its Aura of Infallibility.” MASSBAR, 2006,massbar.org/publications/lawyers-journal/lawyers-journal-article/lawyers-journal-2006-march/fingerprint-identification-and-its-aura-of-infallibility. 

This source states  that fingerprint evidence is highly reliable because every person’s ridge patterns are unique and remain unchanged over time. It also notes that fingerprint analysis is not completely error-proof, since results depend on the quality of the print and the examiner’s interpretation. This source is useful for our project because the Escalara case includes an almost complete handprint left on the box. By comparing this print to exemplar prints from suspects,  we can determine who handled the evidence and strengthen the case.

Serology & DNA analysis.

“Why Do Blood Types Matter? - Natalie S. Hodge.” YouTube, 29 June 2015, www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfZhb6lmxjk.

This video explains the types of blood that people can have, and how the genotypes impact the phenotype. It also explains the Rh factor in red blood cells, and how they create a more specific blood type that a person creates. We can use this information in the missing persons case by understanding what is creating the blood type profiles in the blood samples that we collected, and it explains the importance of the Rh factor and how it is created. This will give us a more in depth understanding of the blood that we test, and it can be used to eliminate irrelevant suspects and determine whose blood is at the scene.

Stanford Blood Center. “Blood Types.” Stanford Blood Center, 2024, stanfordbloodcenter.org/donate-blood/blood-donation-facts/blood-types/.

This article shows the probability of different blood types among the US population, and shows not only the ABO blood types, but also the Rh factor and how that impacts the distribution. We can use this in our case to determine what blood type profiles are more rare in New Orleans, and based on the article, the O- blood has a 6.6% rate in the US, meaning that it will be rarer in New Orleans and can be a viable way to rule out suspects.

Wikipedia Contributors. “Blood Type.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 13 May 2026.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_type#Rh_blood_group_system

This page explains the purpose and result of having Rh positive or negative blood, and how it impacts the body when in contact with opposing anti-D antigens. This gives a background that can be used when writing the lab report, and gives context about the subject when addressing what the Rh factor is in both blood samples.

TED-Ed. “How Did Detectives Solve the Case of the Bloody Motel? - Theodore E. Yeshion.” YouTube, 5 May 2026, www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8OEz3PvWZQ. Accessed 13 May 2026.

‌This video explains a different  type of crime scene investigation and how blood can be found using chemoluminescence and luminol. It explains how even after cleaning a scene, luminol can be used to find traces due to the reaction between the luminol and the hemoglobin in blood, which glows blue under a black light. Due to this reaction, it is used to find blood, however, the video also explains the limitations, and how the luminol can react with very trace amounts and very old (thousands of years old) blood, as well as bleach. So, because of this, luminol is a presumptive blood test, and must be paired with other investigative techniques to be used in trials. This gives us another investigative technique when tracking down the Crescent City Cannibal, and in the campaign it could be used to find blood that was attempted to be cleaned up, allowing for further testing to strengthen our case when finding the killer.

Whyte, David, and Svenja Lohner. “Crime Scene Chemistry—the Cool Blue Light of Luminol | Science Project.” Science Buddies, 14 Mar. 2023, www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/chem_p078/chemistry/crime-scene-luminol-blood.

This article explains the chemical reaction while spraying luminol onto blood and the products that are created through the process. It also models the transference of energy throughout the process, and how the process is accelerated due to the blood being a catalyst in the luminol and hydrogen peroxide’s reaction. It also gives examples for following the procedure, allowing for replication of the investigative technique while finding the Crescent City Killer. This will be used when understanding the process behind the procedure, and can be used for background when explaining the procedure in a lab report.

Decomposition and Entomology.

Wang, Yinghui, et al. “Temperature Dependent Development of Black Soldier Fly, Hermetia Illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) from Yangtze River Delta Region of China.” Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology, vol. 26, no. 4, 11 Oct. 2023, pp. 102163–102163, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aspen.2023.102163.

‌ Shows the amount of ADD’s that the Black Soldier Fly needed in order to reach different stages in the life cycle, and how different surroundings change the progression of the life cycle. This will be used to determine the start of colonization by insects at Seb Pinnick’s body, and helps determine a possible PMI.

Wikipedia Contributors. “Common Green Bottle Fly.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 30 Apr. 2026.

‌https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_green_bottle_fly#Life_cycle

Explains the amount of ADD’s and days of the life cycle that the Green Bottle Fly grows in, and how the growth of the fly is consistent with some changes with the environment. This helps determine the development of the flies in comparison to the fly life cycle, and allows for the ability to find the start of Green Bottle Fly colonization on Seb Pinnick’s body.

Psychological profiling.

Canter, David V., et al. “The Organized/Disorganized Typology of Serial Murder: Myth or Model?” Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, vol. 10, no. 3, 2004, pp. 293–320, www.leotrainer.com/serialtypology.pdf , https://doi.org/10.1037/1076-8971.10.3.293. 

I’m going to use the tables used in this source and use the characteristics mentioned to gain more insight on what kind of killer BLAKE is. There is going to be a comparison at the end of this campaign showing what Blake planned for his character as to what psychological profile the detectives made him out to be. Using the characteristics of his crimes so far and determining what kind of killer he is will help tie crime scenes together if they match the characteristics and patterns of BLAKE murders.

Scherer, Amber, and John Jarvis. “Criminal Investigative Analysis: Measuring Success (Part Three of Four) | FBI: Law Enforcement Bulletin.” FBI: Law Enforcement Bulletin, 5 Aug. 2014, leb.fbi.gov/articles/featured-articles/criminal-investigative-analysis-measuring-success-part-three-of-four. 

‌While psychological profiles aren’t the most accurate, they still have value relevant to cases as in helping move cases along, help with new leads or ideas, and even catch the offender. Creating a psychological profile from the detective side and then comparing it to what Blake had in mind to see the accuracy of the profile.

DSM-5-TR

Will be used to diagnose Edward Sumner Grant (Blake’s character, the killer). This will be added to his psychological profile. DSM-V will be used to identify symptoms of Grant’s mental disorder, and compare them to his actions and his murders to see if they line up, are consistent, and appear in his actions with others.