Archive for the ‘Crime Scene Investigation’ Category

Survive Call of Cthulhu by Slowing Down and Understanding Your … – IGN

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Part-crime scene investigation, part-RPG, Call of Cthulhu is primarily concerned with detailing and emulating the writings of H.P Lovecraft upon which it is based. Over the course of our most recent showing of the game - a 20 minute guided demo - we were presented with eyeless monsters, paintings acting as doorways to alternative dimensions, murder scenes in which children seem to have been the victims and a decrepit mansion that wouldnt feel out of place in Resident Evil or a Dracula movie.

The inspiration for the games rules and workings comes from the official board game of the same name, a pen-and-paper RPG in the Dungeons and Dragons ilk, first released in 1981. As a result, this is a game that prioritises reading and listening for clues just as much as it wants you to act upon them.

As detective Edward Pierce youre sent on a job to find out the truth behind the death of a world famous artist and her family, the whole group of which resided on the isolated island that makes up Call of Cthulhus setting. Its a windy, rocky place that seems to be cloaked in constant night. Lanterns barely cut through the darkness, with crows and ravens creating silhouettes against the sky, creating the sense that youre always being watched. Visually, it has a trademark Lovecraftian identity splashed all over it.

Perhaps the most interesting of Cthulhus design directions is the questioning of Pierces sanity. As the story progress and he begins to delve deeper into the mystery behind the unexplained deaths, he, and the player, are forced to question whether or not what he sees is actually representative of reality.

Developer Cyanide, most famous for Blood Bowl and Styx: Master of Shadows, is keen to point out at every opportunity that insanity in Cthulhu isnt about whether or not youre losing your mind, its about whether what your eyes are communicating to your mind is real or not. How well the sense of not knowing if what youre seeing is actual reality or not, and combining this with making sure the player feels as though theyre able to impact proceedings, will go a long way to determining Cthulhus quality and impact.

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Sanity plays a part in the moment-to-moment gameplay, too. One scene sees Pierce hiding from a monster, his comparatively feeble physical standing giving him no chance of survival in a direct encounter. Stealth is his best tool here, as it is in every other encounter, but the matter of hiding is complicated by a sanity meter that decreases when hes in the presence of monsters that he doesnt believe should be part of his reality.

The longer you spend close to a monster, even when hidden, the further your sanity meter is going to deplete. If it exhausts itself entirely youre hit with the game over screen.

Over the course of the story Pierce develops phobias for certain situations and things, the example demonstrated to us being claustrophobia. This makes hiding even more perilous as it further limits the number of safe spaces; those closets that were once a haven now being just as maddening as the monsters roaming between them. The system is somewhat similar to that used in Frictional Games Amnesia: A Dark Descent, which was itself inspired, in part, by the writing of H.P. Lovecraft.

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Survive Call of Cthulhu by Slowing Down and Understanding Your ... - IGN

DA rules on Baker shooting death by Sheriff – Miami News Record

According to the Ottawa County District Attorney Kenny Wright, the Jan. 7 shooting death of Travis Edward Baker by Ottawa County Sheriff Jeremy Floyd was justified by the evidence.

MIAMI Justified. According to the Ottawa County District Attorney Kenny Wright, the Jan. 7 shooting death of Travis Edward Baker, 42, of Fairland, by Ottawa County Sheriff Jeremy Floyd was justified by the evidence. Baker was a suspect in an attempted burglary and larceny of a 1979 GMC truck and an ATV from a Fairland home and was shot and killed within miles after he fled and during a subsequent search and pursuit by law enforcement.

The evidence demonstrates that Mr. Baker's actions directly threatened the life of Sheriff Floyd and the other law enforcement officers present, Wright wrote in a letter of clearance released Thursday. Sheriff Floyd had no reasonable alternative in the situation other than the use of deadly force to end the threat.

Wright's decision came after reviewing the findings of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Chris Leamon's case report received on Jan. 20.

On Jan. 23 Wright received an updated DVD from Leamon containing recordings of radio traffic, photographs, and audio and video recordings related to the investigation.

Wright also reviewed a narrative report from Ottawa County Sheriff's Detective Holli Goforth on Feb. 7 and the OSBI crime scene investigation report on Feb. 8 and determined the investigation is thorough and complete.

Newly elected Sheriff Floyd had been in office just six days when the shooting death occurred.

According to Wright, the evidence presented by Leamon's investigation determined on Jan. 7 around 1 p.m a 1979 GMC truck was located on the side of the road about two miles from where it had been stolen. The area had been recently plagued by multiple residential and vehicle burglaries and thefts.

Shortly after the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office (OCSO) received a report of a homeowner shooting at a white male who had broken into his residence and was running through a pasture two to three miles from where the truck had been discovered, the DA states in his letter. The suspect was reported to be possibly armed with firearms stolen from the home.

According to the investigation, the OCSO requested additional units from surrounding agencies and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol deployed a fixed-wing aircraft to assist and establish a perimeter to search for the suspect. A civilian caught the suspect burglarizing another vehicle a short time later and the suspect then fled on foot. A witness to the burglary was shown a photograph of Baker and identified him as the burglar.

At approximately 2:45 p.m. Baker stole a Dodge truck from another residence in the area. The owner saw the theft and engaged in a vehicle pursuit, but lost sight.

The Dodge truck was abandoned and located in the woods two miles away. The truck's owner told law enforcement he had left a 9mm pistol inside the vehicle with a loaded magazine.

Law enforcement was not able to locate the pistol in the truck, Wright wrote.

Law enforcement officers attempted to stop a speeding yellow truck a short time later, according to Wright, and the driver attempted to elude officers and drove into the woods and crashed. Officers surrounded the area and pursued the fleeing suspect into the woods

They also observed that the suspect was in possession of a firearm, Wright wrote in the letter.

OHP's aircraft was able to spot Baker and directed officers to the area where it appeared he would exit the woods where Floyd was located.

According to Wright, Floyd parked his vehicle and on foot approached a residence, and when he came around the residence he encountered Baker, the suspect matching the description they had been tracking all day.

The Sheriff further states that Mr. Baker was pointing a firearm at him. The Sheriff fired one round from a 12-gauge shotgun and gave commands for Mr. Baker to drop the gun. Mr. Baker did not drop the gun and, three to four seconds later, the Sheriff fired a second round from the shotgun. The Sheriff states that Mr. Baker fell backward onto the ground and dropped the pistol, Wright wrote.

Baker was quickly secured, officers observed a gunshot wound to the chest of Baker and immediately provided emergency medical attention.

Despite the emergency medical efforts to save his life, Mr. Baker died at the scene, the DA states in his letter.

Wright reports Floyd's statement is corroborated by witness OHP Trooper Jeff Laue, two consistent law enforcement dash camera videos that captured parts of the incident, and the consistent findings of the OSBI crime scene investigation.

In my opinion as the District Attorney for the 13th District of Oklahoma, based on the evidence after a complete and thorough investigation, that Sheriff Jeremy Floyd's actions of January 7, 2017, which resulted in the death of Travis Edward Baker were justified. The evidence demonstrates that Mr. Baker's actions directly threatened the life of Sheriff Floyd and the other law enforcement officers present. Sheriff Floyd had no reasonable alternative in the situation other than the use of deadly force to end the threat, Wright wrote.

Sheriff Floyd responded to the news by press release.

I want to make it clear that it is our goal at the sheriff's office to provide safety to everyone in the county and bring peace and prosperity to all, Floyd wrote in the release. To make the decision of using deadly force does not come easy, but it is necessary when no other action can be performed, and immediate life-threatening danger effects an officer or someone else.

"Officer involved shootings has many hurdles of emotions and struggles that directly relates to the shooting that the officer will encounter. No officer can prepare him or herself with the aftermath experience but with proper training, faith, a positive mindset, and great support, healing from the emotional roller coaster becomes easier. My heart goes out to Mr. Bakers family, and I pray that they find comfort and peace.

Floyd thanked the agencies and officers assisting, I want to thank the OHP, Wyandotte Nation Tribal Police, Quapaw Marshals, GRDA, Fairland Police, Delaware County Sheriff's Office, Bernice Police Department, BIA, and Eastern Shawnee Tribal Police for their honorable support and assistance. I also want to thank the OSBI for their thorough investigation, and most importantly I want to thank my staff with the Ottawa County Sheriffs Office for their dedicated team work and honorable commitment to the people of Ottawa County."

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DA rules on Baker shooting death by Sheriff - Miami News Record

Akansha Sharma murder case: CSI, Devil’s Knot inspired Udayan … – The Indian Express

Written by SWEETY KUMARI | Bankura | Published:February 9, 2017 5:52 am The prime accused Udayan Das.

UDAYAN DAS, who had been brought to Bankura after he confessed to have murdered and entombed his girlfriend in Bhopal, was inspired by the drama series Crime Scene Investigation: New York and Hollywood film Devils Knot. He got the idea bury Akansha Sharma under a marble tomb by watching these, Bankura Superintendent of Police Sukhendu Hira said. Sources in the police said around 2,500 CDs of Hollywood movies and television series mostly based on crime were found in his house.

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Udayan had killed Akansha allegedly in December last year. The incident came to light when West Bengal Police arrived in Bhopal in search of Akansha, following a complaint lodged by her father Shivendra Sharma. Police said Udayan had befriended the victim on social media.

During interrogation, he had said that following a dispute, in a fit of rage, he strangled Akansha.

He had also confessed to have murdered his parents in 2012 and buried them in the garden of their residence.

Das had 100 email accounts and 100 Facebook profiles He tried to establish that he was very rich. He purportedly brainwashed Akansha using his fake identity, said a police officer, adding that following interrogation, it has come to light that Udayan has no friends.

He was an introvert and was often bullied by his friends in Bhopal for his physical appearance Later, he went on to hack the Orkut profiles of two of his friends They had to delete their profiles. Udayan considered this an achievement He is a very sharp with extensive knowledge of computers As he was bullied, he may have developed such a destructive personality, said the officer.

Police said he had murdered his parents only for financial gain.

Maintaining that the motive behind killing Akansha is still not clear, an officer said: He is a hard nut to crack and we need time to find out the exact motive We believe it was a cold blooded murder Udayan was confident of keeping the womans murder under wraps since he had already murdered his parents He was using all their money and properties.

Sources said Udayan had also withdrawn money from Akanshas account.

When contacted, Akanshas brother Ayush Satyam, said: She was not his live-in partner. Udayan Das had promised to help her get a job. She just knew him through social media.

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Akansha Sharma murder case: CSI, Devil's Knot inspired Udayan ... - The Indian Express

Stephenville PD seeks high-tech laser equipment grant – Stephenville Empire-Tribune

By J. Michael Rossjross@empiretribune.com

In a memo to the Stephenville City Council, Stephenville Police Chief Jason King said the department is working on an application for a justice assistance grant via the governors office to request $79,586.40 in funds relating to state-of-the-art forensic and accident laser reconstruction technology.

So what, exactly, does this technology do?

Forensic and accident reconstruction technology will consist of a 360 degree laser scanner bi-pod, laptop, software and evidence storage. Laser scanning technology enables the user to capture precise interactive 3D images of structures or spaces and can be used both indoors and outdoors," King said.

The technology is ideal for capturing and documenting forensic evidence at traffic collisions and crime scenes. It enables an investigator to return to the scene via computer at any point during the investigation. The 3D scan of a scene can be used as an accurate, scaled, virtual representation of the original event.

King says the software will make it possible to create an animation which moves the user through the scene from a variety of different angels and perspectives.

The device can be used to document and analyze bullet trajectories, bloodstain patterns, tire impressions, vehicle crash patterns and arson sites, King says.

Our primary goal of this project is to better serve and protect our citizens by improving investigations, solving crimes and prosecuting criminals," he said. "The Stephenville Police Department hopes to accomplish this by heightening the efficiency and effectiveness of crime scene investigation and crash reconstruction.

King says that acquiring the technology, would greatly benefit investigations by improving workflow, enhancing officer safety in the field, and preserving evidence digitally.

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Stephenville PD seeks high-tech laser equipment grant - Stephenville Empire-Tribune

Eliabit Mena’s death ruled homicide, police say – Asbury Park Press

RAW VIDEO: The search continues Monday afternoon for Elibit Mena, 18, who was last seen Sunday evening at Lake Shenandoah county park in Lakewood. THOMAS P. COSTELLO

Lakewood Chaveirum volunteers gather along South Clover Avenue Monday afternoon, January 30, 2017, to join in the search for Elibit Mena, 18, who reportedly headed to Lake Shenandoah County Park and was last seen Sunday evening.(Photo: THOMAS P. COSTELLO)Buy Photo

LAKEWOOD - The body found in a wooded area off Arlington Avenue Feb. 1has been positively identified as that of missing Lakewood teen Eliabit Mena, and his death has been ruled a homicide, authorities said.

Authorities did not say how Mena was killed.

Mena, 18,was last heard fromJan. 29after he reportedly headed to Lake Shenandoah County Park to meet friends,police said around the time of his disappearance. A day later, Lakewood police, State Police and emergency management teams gathered at the park to scour the grounds for any trace of Mena, to no avail.

On Feb. 1, around 2:15 p.m., a woman walking her dog around Arlington Avenue called police and reported a man lying on the ground,said Lt. Gregory Staffordsmith of the Lakewood Township Police Department.

READ: Authorities continue search for missing Lakewood teen

Al Della Fave, a spokesperson for the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, said in a statement that theOcean County Medical Examiner had identified the body as Mena's.

The body of 18-year-old Eliabit Mena, of Lakewood, was found in a wooded area off Arlington Avenue in Lakewood Feb. 1. Authorities said Mena's death is being treated as a homicide.(Photo: Ocean County Prosecutor's Office)

On the day Mena disappeared, Mena's mother grew concerned when she didn't hear from her son and went to thepark herself, where she found Eliabit Mena's unoccupied car parked in a lot on South Clover Street, which is near the park, Staffordsmith said.

READ: Body found in woods may be Lakewood teen

Lakewood police previously misspelled Mena's first name as "Elibit." Della Favecorrected the spellingto read "Eliabit" on Tuesday.

Family and friends Elibit Mena, 18, gather along South Clover Avenue Monday afternoon, January 30, 2017, as Lakewood Chaveirum volunteers prepare to head out on a search for the missing man who was last scene at Lake Shenandoah County Park Sunday evening.(Photo: THOMAS P. COSTELLO)

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office and the Lakewood Township Police Department are actively investigating the slaying, with assistance from the Crime Scene Investigation Unit at the Ocean County Sheriff's Department, Della Fave said. Detective John Murphy of the Prosecutor's Office and DetectiveLynn Miller of the Lakewood police are leading the investigation, and are accepting tips from the public. Contact Murphy at732-929-2027, and Miller at 732-363-0200.

Katie Park: 908-801-4853; kpark@gannettnj.com

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Eliabit Mena's death ruled homicide, police say - Asbury Park Press