Analysis of the Flaws in the OJ Simpson Homicide Investigation

This report provides a comprehensive review of the OJ Simpson case, examining the homicide investigation, key elements, and critical flaws. It delves into the timeline of events, from the discovery of the victims to the trial's verdict. The report highlights the main elements of the investigation, including the handling of evidence, crime scene procedures, and the role of police officers. It critically analyzes the mistakes made during the investigation, such as the failure to secure the crime scene, improper evidence handling, and the influence of media coverage. The report also suggests improvements for future homicide investigations, emphasizing the importance of proper procedures, unbiased investigations, and the role of legal teams. Finally, it discusses the significant impact of media involvement, including its role in shaping public opinion and influencing the outcome of the case. The report concludes by referencing relevant academic sources to support its analysis.

Homicide investigation
Review: Oj simpson case

People of the state of California VS OJ Simpson is considered as the “Case of century”. The best
part about this case was that instead of focusing on judiciary system, people made their own
option and before even staring of the trial many people decided in their mind that Simpson is
guilty or not (Hulse and et. Al., 2014). This essay is a review of this “most publicized” case. It
will discuss about key elements of investigation procedure along with the mistakes done by
police officers in the investigation. Some suggestions will be given in this assignment for
preventing the mistakes which happened in the investigation of this case. Media played a crucial
role in this case, their role will be discussed at the end of this project.
ABOUT CASE
In 1994, OJ Simpson was charged for murder of his ex-wife and waiter of a restraint Ron
Goldman, he was friend of Simpson’s wife. In 1995, he was acquitted by court because district
attorneys fail to provide enough evidence. Many people think that it happened due to enormous
flaws which happened in the process of investigation. In 1997, families of both victims fail; a
civil lawsuit against Simpson and he was found guilty after 2 years from acquaintance. The
awarded compensation was around $33.5 million but families only get some part of this big
amount.
MAIN ELEMENTS OF INVESTIGATION
On 12 June 1994, neighbors of Nicole Brown found her dead body in her house. They
called police when they want the blood was coming from her belly. When police went to the
crime scene they found various things but the most important was a glove which had blood.
When, in morning, they went to Simpson’s house then they did not found him because he went
to Chicago. Police asked few questions from Kato Kelin, who was living in Simpson’s house as
guest. At the time of searching his home, they found another glove of other hand, which they
found from murder spot. Police also found a car which had blood on it (Mason, 2014).
An important point which should be noted is that police entered in Simpson’s home
without any warrant. From starting, Simpson was prime suspect in this case because of many
times, he went to the house of his ex-wife and created nuisance in a drunken state. He was
someone who loses control on himself in no time and this was the main reason that his ex-wife
called 911 when Simpson knocks her door at midnight.
In laboratory, lab attendants did not handle the sample and lawyer of Simpson proved this
in court. They also raised many questions on the attitude of police officers and issue of racism
also came at the time of investigation. Under police investigation, police found that Simpson
bought a knife which was similar to the weapon that was found at the crime sight. This could
have been important evidence but the salesperson who sold knife to Simpson talked to tabloid
press, who bought their story (Olszowy and et. Al., 2013).

FLAWS IN POLICE INVESTIGATION
It is the role of police to find the evidence and then present them in court but in this case
detective made a clear mindset that Simpson murdered his wife and her friend (Marshall, 2014).
First of all, they entered to Simpson’s home without any warrant and they did not seize crime
scene at the time of collecting evidence. Many people entered at the crime and they could have
tampered some evidence. Allowing media to the crime scene was another big mistake which had
happened in police investigation. Evidence are considered as the most important thing in a
criminal trial, if a lawyer proves that evidence were tamper or they are improper because they are
touched by other person that winning case in this situation in next to impossible. Failing to
secure crime scene was a significant mistake which made a huge impact on final decision. Police
did not follow the common procedure which should follow in normal cases and this blunder
complicated whole case and reduce credibility of police in the court. When journalists get
accesses to a crime scene then they started their own trial. This created extra pressure jury and
police investigation. A high level of secrecy should be maintained in every case but police did
not do it.
Although police collected various evidence like DNA from crime scene, flesh cuts on
Simpson, etc but when these evidence went to laboratory for testing then they were not kept at
right place and mishandled in terrible way. The DNA sample was found contaminated by court
which proved that they were not taken care in right way. Along with these issues, their were
some other mistakes which happened from the sides of police department. Some officers, who
were part of the investigation, were not qualified. The evidences collected by them were ignored
by court because of reliability issue. There are some common rules which police detectives have
to follow at the time of collecting evidence. In the case of Simpson, some officers of police
department touched evidence without using gloves i.e. bare hand. They are kept evidence in their
pocket and at the time of clicking photos they did not use gloves (Surette, 2015).
Lawyers of defense side argued that police committed various mistakes intentionally because
Simpson was black. They took this murder to another discussion by raising racism issue. Defense
also alleged that these genuine evidences were also planted by police. Lack of coordination
between various parts of investigation team also influence out. Miscommunication result in
failing to analyze case properly. Some part of investigation team did not do their work with
desired seriousness; they failed to discover the stain of blood on the socks of Simpson which was
collected from his bedroom. Lawyers also made a terrible mistake in the court which completely
changed thinking of jury. At the time of trail, lawyer of defense forced courtroom to discuss
about the gloves which were found at crime scene (Rentschler, 2015). In the heat of moment,
Simpson wore that glove to prove that it does not belong to him. When jury saw this they
ignored all other evidence and gave decision of the basis of this act.

SUGGESTIONS FOR PREVENTING AND OVERCOMING MISTAKES
Case against Simpson was high profile case. For overcoming the mistakes, police should
first change their mindset and they should have stopped thinking that Simpson was culprit. They
could make a special investigation team and organize regular meetings in order to synchronize
all evidence and thoughts. Another thing which they could have done is that they could make a
plan and then fight the case (Fisher & Fisher, 2012). By removing unqualified officers, they
could recruit some experience detectives so the blunders done by old team can be managed
properly. This case could end up is different way if layers and detectives did not concentrate on
single evidence i.e. gloves. They should not have allowed Simpson to wear the glove. Even if he
wore it in court then police officers and district attorneys could made a significant argument that
murderer does not a glove which completely fit in his/her hand for taking life of a person. In
future, homicide case can be tackled in better way if police follow the basic procedures of
investigation like sealing the crime scene. They should not make their mind that a particular
person is culprit because this is unfair. Lawyers should also present all the facts and stop
focusing on single piece of evidence. A team of different specialist from various departments
should be made and they should make a strategy about how and which evidence should be
present in what way, in the court.
ROLE OF MEDIA IN INFLUENCING THE OUTCOME
There is no doubt that media involvement of media made a huge impact on this case.
Journalist took photo of dead body which was covered with blanket. They also tampered some
very important evidence and generated their own theory of different aspect of case. Because of
media, issue relating to racism gained more attention and instead of focusing on evidence and
other important details, people were discussing and court started discussion irrelevant issue
regarding setting up a black man and number of black people in jury. People VS OJ Simpson is
considered most famous case in history of America because it was not only about murder, it
became black vs. white. At the beginning of this case, media raised issue about domestic about
domestic violence (Douglas and et. Al., 2013). They represented Simpson in a specific way
which forced investigator to keep a particular mindset i.e. Simpson is murderer. The entire news
channel only concentrated on this cased in 1994-95. This put an extra pressure on jury as they
were not responsible for only giving the decision on a high profile murder case, they also have to
give a message that African American can also get justice.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Hulse, E. J and et. Al., (2014). Respiratory complications of organophosphorus nerve agent and
insecticide poisoning. Implications for respiratory and critical care. American journal of
respiratory and critical care medicine. 190(12). 1342-1354.
Mason, I. (2014). Dialogue interpreting (Vol. 5). Routledge.
Marshall, P. D. (2014). Persona studies: Mapping the proliferation of the public
self. Journalism. 15(2). 153-170.
Surette, R. (2015). Performance crime and justice. Current Issues Crim. Just., 27, 195.
Fisher, B. A., & Fisher, D. R. (2012). Techniques of crime scene investigation. crc Press.
Douglas, J. and et. Al., (2013). Crime classification manual: A standard system for investigating
and classifying violent crime. John Wiley & Sons.
Rentschler, C. A. (2015). Distributed activism: Domestic violence and feminist media
infrastructure in the fax age. Communication, Culture & Critique. 8(2). 182-198.
Olszowy, L and et. Al., (2013). Effectiveness of risk assessment tools in differentiating child
homicides from other domestic homicide cases. Journal of Child Custody. 10(2). 185-
206.