Missing evidence is not the same as missed evidence or evidence that is lost. When I speak of missed evidence it relates to evidence that could have been found had the right avenues been followed down.
One notable case is the O.J. Simpson murder trial from 1995. There was delayed collection of evidence wherein police waited hours before thoroughly searching the crime scene, potentially allowing evidence to be contaminated or lost. Among other errors there was overlooked evidence: A bloody fingerprint on a gate near the crime scene was not properly documented or analyzed. These investigative errors were exploited by Simpson's defense team to cast doubt on the prosecution's case, potentially contributing to his acquittal in the criminal trial.
This could have been avoided by:
- Following proper evidence collection procedures and handling,
- Following proper documentation procedures in criminal investigations
Instead, the playing field was leveled through time and age.
Thankfully, lessons were learned and have significantly influenced modern forensic science and criminal investigation procedures, leading to more rigorous standards and practices in evidence handling across the legal system.
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