Hate Crimes Across America

1
Hate Crimes Across America
The Bronx High School of Science SUPA Forensic
Science / Criminalistics Instructor Ms. Mary
Villani
2
What Is A Hate Crime?

• Crimes, hate speech, or vandalism motivated by
  feelings of hostility or hate directed towards a
  specific social group defined by things like
  religion, sexual orientation, race, gender etc.
• In 2005, there were 7,160 single bias (one bias
  identified) hate crimes committed.
• 69.7 of these crimes were crimes against persons.

3
Hate Crimes A Real Problem

• About 84 of hate crimes have been described by
  victims as violent crimes, involving rape,
  robbery or murder
• Hate crimes have harmed both individuals and
  communities, and send messages of bigotry and
  intolerance
• Everyday, eight African Americans, three whites,
  three homosexuals, three Jews and one Latino
  become victims of hate crimes

4
Survey

• Copies of the following survey were distributed
  amongst the class over spring break.
• Students were to travel to their destinations and
  hand out the surveys to the people in that state.
• The results follow the survey.

5
Hate Crimes Across America Survey

• Age 13-19 20-35 36- 55
  56 and older
• Gender Male Female
• Ethnicity Black (non Hispanic)
  Asian
• White (non Hispanic)
  Indian/ Pacific Islander
• Hispanic/Latino
  Middle Eastern
• What state do you live in? _______________________
  _
• Where do you live? (urban suburban rural)
• What is your sexual orientation?
  ___________________
• What is your religion? ___________________________
  
• Have you or anyone you know ever been a victim of
  a hate crime? ___________
• Have you or anyone you know ever committed a hate
  crime? ________________
• Do you fear becoming a victim of a hate crime in
  your lifetime? _____________
• Please rate the following statements on a scale
  of one to 5.
• 5 strongly agree 4 somewhat agree 3 not
  sure
• 2 somewhat disagree 1 strongly disagree
• 1. A persons upbringing makes him/her more prone
  1 2 3 4 5
• to committing a hate crime.
• 2. Perpetrators of hate crimes receive adequate
  punishments 1 2 3 4 5
• for their crimes.

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Part 1 Comparison of Alaska and Hawaii, West
Coast, East Coast, Middle America and New York
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Comparison of Alaska and Hawaii, West Coast, East
Coast, Middle America and New York
8
Comparison of Alaska and Hawaii, West Coast, East
Coast, Middle America and New York
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Comparison of Alaska and Hawaii, West Coast, East
Coast, Middle America and New York
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Comparison of Alaska and Hawaii, West Coast, East
Coast, Middle America and New York
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Part 2 Comparison of Alaska, Hawaii, West Coast,
East Coast and Middle America to New York
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Comparison of Alaska, Hawaii, West Coast, East
Coast and Middle America to New York
13
Comparison of Alaska, Hawaii, West Coast, East
Coast and Middle America to New York
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Part 3 Comparison of Hate Crime Survey by Age
Groups
15
Comparison of Hate Crime Survey by Age Groups
16
Comparison of Hate Crime Survey by Age Groups
17
Comparison of Hate Crime Survey by Age Groups
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Comparison of Hate Crime Survey by Age Groups
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Part 4 Comparison of Teenagers to the Rest of
the Population
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Comparison of Teenagers to the Rest of the
Population
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Comparison of Teenagers to the Rest of the
Population
22
Part 5 Comparison of Northern States, Southern
States and New York
23
Comparison of Northern States, Southern States
and New York
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Comparison of Northern States, Southern States
and New York
25
Part 6 Comparison of Northern and Southern
States to New York
26
Comparison of Northern and Southern States to New
York
27
Comparison of Northern and Southern States to New
York
28
Causes

• Racially motivated hate crime erupts when a
  racially/ethnically homogeneous area begins to
  experience influx of people from other
  racial/ethnic groups
• People are ignorant and cannot make the best
  possible choice.
• The media sways public opinion, causing prejudice
  towards certain groups of people.
• Peer pressure can influence a person who normally
  wouldnt commit a crime to act.
• Current events can also cause people to act on
  emotion rather than reason i.e. 9.11.

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Types of Hate Crimes

• Race
• Religion
• Sexual orientation
• Disability
• Ethnicity

Bias-motivated Offenses Percent Distribution,1
2004
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The Murder of Brandon Teena

• Brandon Teena, born Teena Renae Brandon, was a
  transgender man who was raped and killed on Dec.
  31, 1993
• Brandon was the subject and inspiration of the
  1999 film Boys Dont Cry for which Hilary Swank
  won the 1999 Best Actress Academy Award

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The Murder of Brandon Teena Physical Evidence

• Tire tracks
• Footprint
• Red spot by doorway
• Six shell casings
• Cigarette lighter
• Contents of an ashtray

• Swabs from two blood spots
• Clothes from all the victims of the crime scene
• Waterbed mattress

• Golden gloves
• Gun
• Knife
• Leather sheath with Lotter on it
• Bodies of all victims, including Brandon Teena

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Document Examination

• Collection of Handwriting Exemplars
• Adequate writing samples must be collected for
  comparison.
• Samples should be from the last 2-3 years.
• There are, however, common modifications
  including rubber erasers, sandpaper, razor blade,
  or knife, which all damage the upper layer of the
  paper.
• These alterations may be viewed under a
  microscope with ultraviolet or infrared light.

• Handwriting Comparisons
• No individuals have identical handwriting.
• Handwriting is based on one of two systems of
  copying standard letter forms
• Palmer (1880) Zaner-Blosser (1895)
• Variation in handwriting encompasses angularity,
  slope, speed, pressure, letter and working space,
  pen movement, finger dexterity, and writing skill.

Forgery?
33
Voice Analysis and Examination

• Voice analysis is the study of speech sounds for
  speech recognition
• Studies of voice analysis are used in medical
  analysis of the voice as well as speaker
  identification
• Each person's voice has a unique quality that can
  be mapped on a graph. 
• The individuality comes from differences in
  physical vocal mechanisms
• Size and shape of vocal cavity
• Tongue
• Nasal cavities
• Coordination of lips, jaw, tongue, soft palate

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Firearms

• A firearm is a weapon that fires either single or
  multiple projectiles propelled at high velocity
  by the gases produced through rapid, confined
  burning of a propellant
• Examples of firearms are pistols, machine guns,
  assault rifles, sniper rifles, and shotguns
• Firearms evidence commonly found in cases include
  recovered rifles, pistols, shotguns, silencers
  and other muzzle attachments, magazines,
  holsters, and a variety of fired and unfired
  cartridges.

• Lead and other metal fragments, shot wads, shot
  cups, and bullets removed from bodies at autopsy
  are also frequently received items in
  firearms-related casework.
• Forensic firearm investigation is based on
  FIREARMS IDENTIFICATION
• - Involves identification of a bullet
• - Identification of a cartridge case
• - Identification of other ammunition components

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Firearms

• Bullets and other ammunition components are
  microscopically compared to
• Each other
• Other firearms
• Bullets and ammunition components of known origin
• This is done to determine if a common origin is
  shared
• Tests performed in Firearms Examination Units
  includeTrigger pull testsAccidental discharge
  testsShot pattern examinationsGunshot residue
  examinationsEjection pattern testingTrajectory
  analysis examinationsSilencer testing

36
Blood Evidence Forensic Serology
Blood Typing -four main blood types (A-B-AB-O)
that react to specific antigens-these antigens
can be used to discern an individuals blood type
and further identify connections of evidence

• Blood collected at a crime scene is important in
  connecting a suspect to a crime. It goes through
  three types of analysis
• Conventional serological analysis
• Analysis of the proteins, enzymes, and antigens
  present in the blood. This type of testing
  usually requires a large sample in good condition
  for optimal results and is rarely statistically
  individualizing.
• Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP)
  DNA analysis
• Direct analysis of certain DNA sequences present
  in the white blood cells. DNA is much less
  susceptible to degradation than proteins,
  enzymes, and antigens. RFLP DNA testing usually
  requires a large sample size and is commonly
  statistically individualizing

Blood Stains and Patterns -blood stains are first
examined to determine 3 things if it is truly
blood, if so, from what species did it come from,
and how closely can it be used to connect itself
to an individual -a precipitin test is used to
determine human blood from animal blood
-examining the pattern of a blood stain can
determine the direction, dropping distance, and
angle of impact of the blood stain
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) DNA
analysis Analysis of DNA sequences that have
been copied multiple times. PCR based testing
works well on degraded samples and small samples.
Currently, it is not as statistically
individualizing as RFLP analysis however, more
DNA sequences for PCR analysis are being
discovered and in the near future it will be as
statistically individualizing as RFLP.
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Fingerprint Evidence
Having fingerprints lifted from a crime scene can
help solve the crime in a number of ways. With
their unique qualities, it becomes easy to see
how fingerprints can help solve crimes. Leaving a
fingerprint is like leaving a calling card at the
crime scene. There are a few different ways
fingerprints get left behind by careless crooks.
The most common way is from fat or oil that is
transferred from the finger to an object like a
doorframe or table. Amino acids from the finger
may also leave a discernable mark. Fingerprints
can also be detected as an impression in a soft
substance such as putty. Finally, they can be
made by a substance on the finger such as blood
or paint. Fingerprints can help identify the
perpetrator or someone who is closely linked to
the perpetrator. Fingerprints are one of the
best forms of physical evidence. Since
fingerprints are individualized, a fingerprint
can conclusively identify both offenders and
victims. If two prints have a lot of minutiae in
common, there is a very high probability the two
prints belong to the same finger of the same
person. Databases are available for rapid
computerized searching, on national, state and
local levels. There are a number of methods of
processing for fingerprints Dusting and
superglue fuming the powder used is selected
based on the color of the surface the print is
and this technique is used for prints on hard and
nonabsorbent surfaces. Chemical techniques
iodine fuming, ninhydrin and silver nitrate are
used for latent prints on soft and porous
surfaces.
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Drugs

• The toxicologist needs a through knowledge of how
  the body alters or metabolizes drugs because few
  substances leave the body in the same state as
  they entered.
• The substances they work with are often
  derivatives, a chemical compound prepared from a
  pure compound in order to be more easily detected
  by the analytical techniques used.
• They also divide specimens up into acidic and
  basic fractions for drug extraction from tissue
  or fluid. Almost all drugs are either acids or
  bases.
• After preliminary acid-base procedures are
  carried out, and the tissue or fluid sample is
  now a drug sample, examination continues in two
  steps (1) screening tests, and (2) confirmation
  testing.
• Screening tests allow the processing of many
  specimens for a wide range of toxins in a short
  time. Any positive indications from the screening
  tests must be verified with a confirmation test.
  The following are some standard laboratory tests
  for toxin detection
• Physical tests -- boiling point, melting point,
  density, and refractive index
• Crystal tests -- treatment with a chemical
  reagent to produce crystals
• Chemical spot tests -- treatment with a chemical
  reagent to produce color changes
• Chromatography (thin-layer or gas) -- used to
  separate components of a mixture

39
Footwear Impressions

• Impression evidence can be generally defined as
  objects or materials that have retained the
  characteristics of other objects or materials
  through direct contact.
• Footwear examinations are less common than
  fingerprint examinations because
• Such marks are not as commonly sought or
  recovered by crime scene investigators.
• The clarity of reproduction required for
  conclusive individualization is not as often
  present.
• Individualization is only possible when random,
  individual characteristics have been imparted to
  the sole of the shoe that are reproduced in the
  impression. When this individual detail is
  present in sufficient quantity and quality, it is
  possible to individualize an impression to a
  specific shoe.

40
Internet Crimes

• Criminals have now begun using the internet as a
  means to change their identity and lure out
  victims

Identity Theft

• Fraud and other forms of identity theft can be
  traced back to computers over the internet

• In the same way, investigators and law
  enforcement can also weed out criminals through
  the internet, as in the case of sex offenders who
  are brought to justice through internet
  communication

• Along with the advantages given to us by the
  internet, come the negative aspect

41
Paint Evidence

• Paint chips and other types of paint evidence
  can narrow down a list of possible origins

• Paint chips can be directly connected to an
  object with a jigsaw-fit, in which the specific
  paint chip is fitted into a space on a suspected
  piece of evidence

• The color and chemical make-up of a paint chip
  can filter out certain manufacturers and companies

• The best example of the use of paint evidence
  can be found in a number of hit and run cases
  where a paint chip either found on the victim or
  at the scene of the crime is used in
  collaboration of eye witnesses to directly link a
  car then a suspect to the offense.

42
Fiber Evidence
The discovery of fiber evidence at a crime scene
can provide a vital link between the crime scene
and a suspects environment. Fiber found may link
to materials in a suspects car or home, like
fibers from seats or blankets. According to Sir
Edmund Locard, everybody leaves trace evidence
behind, and the discovery of fiber evidence
proves that.

Cotton and wool are natural fibers, and can be
individualized based on diameter.
Cotton fibers
Wool fibers
   
Cross-section of man-made fibers
Fiber color, number, and location found can help
make a definite match.
43
Fire Evidence
Arson Investigation The most important thing in
an arson investigation is to find the origin of
the fire. The probable origin of a fire will most
likely be located closest to the lowest point
that shows the most intense characteristics of
burning. Because finding the origin is so
crucial, an investigation of the scene can
commence immediately without a search warrant
because of the time-sensitive nature of fire
evidence. Sketches and photographs document the
evidence, and collection of possible accelerants
makes for valuable evidence. Maintaining the
chain of custody is very important, as those
involved may be called to testify

• Signs of Arson
• Separate and unconnected fires
• The use of streamers, to spread the fire
• Trail of gasoline, paper, etc
• Presence of containers for accelerants
• Presence of an ignition device (candle,
  time-delay device)
• Breaking and entering, theft
• Information from witnesses

44
Fire Evidence

• Tools Required
• Properly cleaned kit (materials must not be
  coated with rust-preventive materials), cleaned
  with isopropyl alcohol and then flushed with
  water
• Latex gloves
• Clean boots, avoid walking through accelerant
• One-quart and one gallon metal evidence cans

How to Search Again, search of the site should
commence immediately to prevent the loss or
damage of any evidence. Once the start of the
fire has been determined as arson and the origin
has been discovered, evidence collection can
begin. Scale photographs should be taken where
the origin has been determined. Accelerants,
such as kerosene, may be discovered and confirm
that arson has taken place. They may be found in
cracks in the flood, or absorbed in upholstery,
rags, plaster, wallboards, or carpet. Other
important evidence may be the clothing of a
suspect arrested hours after the fire has
occurred, because traces of the accelerant may
still exist. Gas chromatography will aid in
determining if there are accelerants present, and
then what kind they are based on patterns made in
the chromatography.
45
New York City Public Policy

• Criminal acts concerning violence, intimidation,
  and destruction of property based on racial bias
  and prejudice has become increasing prevalent in
  New York City. According to the law, a person
  commits a hate crime when he or she does the
  following
• a. Purposely selects an individual against whom
  the offense is committed because of their race,
  color, national origin, ancestry, religion,
  gender, disability, or sexual orientation.
• b. Intentionally commits the acts as a result
  of the specified descriptions.
• Sentencing for a hate crime is as follows the
  maximum term of the indeterminate sentence must
  be at least six years if the defendant is
  sentenced to any type of hate crime.

46
California Public Policy

• Californias law states that it is illegal for
  anyone to threaten or commit an act of violence
  towards an individual or their property because
  of the kind of person you are, and with whom you
  associate with. The Ralph Civil Rights Act
  (California Civil Code Section 51.7) prohibits
  acts of such violence on the basis of race,
  color, religion, ancestry, national origin, age,
  disability, sex, sexual orientation, political
  party, or part in a labor dispute.
• Furthermore, the Bane Civil Rights Act
  (California Civil Code Section 52.1) prohibits
  anyone from interfering by force or by threat of
  violence with your federal or state
  constitutional or statutory rights. The acts
  prohibited by these acts laws may also be
  criminal acts, and can expose violators to
  criminal sentences.

47
National Policy

• The Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 1998, was
  initiated in both the House of Representatives
  (H.R. 3081) and Senate (S. 1529), to expand
  federal jurisdiction over hate crimes by
  permitting federal authorities to examine all
  possible hate crimes, and expanding the
  categories that are covered by hate crime laws to
  include gender, sexual orientation, and
  disability.
• The United States Congress has defined a hate
  crime as an offense in which the defendants
  conduct was motivated by hatred, bias, or
  prejudice, based on the actual or perceived race,
  color, religion, national origin, ethnicity,
  gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity of
  another group of individuals however, this bill
  (HR 4797) never became law.

48
The Most Effective Feasible Policy

• Currently, seven states do not have hate crime
  laws and twenty states do not protect sexual
  orientation. There have been two attempts (in
  2001 and 2004) to amend the current federal law
  to include homosexuals however, these attempts
  were not successful.
• The most effective and feasible policy would be
  the passage of bill (HR 4797) defined a hate
  crime as an offense in which the defendants
  conduct was motivated by hatred, bias, or
  prejudice, based on the actual or perceived race,
  color, religion, national origin, ethnicity,
  gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity of
  another group of individuals.

49
Student Coordinators Leaders

• Willis Ko
• Salima Labeb
• Diane Lee
• Cai Tang Lei
• Marianna Nash
• Krhystyne Pablo

• Samantha Margulies
• Drew Schneider
• Yat Sang So
• Angela Wong
• Larry Wong
• Qing Yin Xie

• Giselle Jimenez
• Gregory Ventura
• AnnMarie Foglio

50
Production Staff

• Michael Berger
• Keshia Broomes
• Melissa Chang
• Shazli Choudhury
• Mercedes Estevez
• Khrysta Evans
• Ann Marie Foglio
• Keionna Grant
• Denise Guarino
• Serena Ho

• Salima Labeb
• Diane Lee
• Cai Tang Lei
• Luisa Maldonado
• Sara Missaoui
• Marianna Nash
• Krhystyne Pablo
• Andrew Pistone
• Boris Riabov
• Sarah Richards

• Krystal Ronquillo
• Jackie Scotch-Marmo
• Giselle Surrett
• Michelle Teng
• Elena Toumaras
• Flavia Vehbiv
• Gregory Ventura
• Angela Wong
• Jia Hua Wu
• Joanna Yau

51
References (numbers refer to the non survey
slides)

• Slide 1 Courtesy of http//www.enigmatica.com/dr
  eamcatcher/
• Slide 2 Courtesy of
• http//volokh.com/posts/1141483743.shtml
• http//www.transe-generation.com/images/gallery/ba
  seofhatecrimecell.jpg
• Slide 3 Courtesy of
• http//209.85.165.104/search?qcachel3VuGW8o5IUJ
  www.electdorothybrownmayor.com/(A(UcRCHDSZxwEkAAAA
  MWNkYTkxZTAtMDBmMy00ZWQyLTljMTYtMTE4NWZiZDU2YmE4Hn
  9_YhDFHblTsRPAL5Lo6LFeFjM1))/resources/Speeches/Do
  rothy2520Brown2520-2520Lake2520County2520race
  2520unity2520cultural2520diversity2520seminar
  252002-14-06.pdfEveryday,eightAfricanAmericans
  ,threewhites,threehomosexuals,threeJewsand
  oneLatinobecomevictimsofhatecrimeshlenct
  clnkcd1glus
• Slide 4 Courtesy of
• http//clear.msu.edu/dennie/clipart/fight.gif
• http//www.cahro.org/html/hate_crimes.html
• Slide 5 Courtesy of
• http//www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/community_saf
  ety/hate_crime/types.aspx
• http//www.fbi.gov/ucr/cius_04/offenses_reported/h
  ate_crime/index.htmlShazli
• Slide 6 Courtesy of CNN images
  (http//i.cnn.net/cnn/2003/US/Central/12/28/brando
  n.death.transgender.ap/vert.brandon.ap.jpg)

52
References

• Slide 11 Courtesy of http//www.essex.police.uk/s
  ervices/s_fa_11.phph227w300sz6hlenstart4
  tbnidOlLbQaTwAdRHNMtbnh88tbnw116prev/imag
  es3Fq3Dfirearms26svnum3D1026hl3Den26lr3D2
  6safe3Doff26client3Dfirefox-a26rls3Dorg.mozil
  laen-USofficial26sa3DN
• Slide 12 Courtesy of http//www.crime-scene-inve
  stigator.net/blood.html
• Slide 13 Courtesy of http//www.crimeandclues.com
  /fingerprints.htm
• Slide 14 Courtesy of
• http//faculty.ncwc.edu/toconnor/425/425lect14.ht
  m
• http//www.nadapp.gov.tt/photo/drug/cocaine.jpg
• Slide 15 Courtesy of http//www.mshp.dps.mo.gov/
  MSHPWeb/PatrolDivisions/CLD/Firearms/Impressions.h
  tml
• Slide 16 Courtesy of
• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_crimes
• http//www.rcfl.gov/images/image_enter.gif
• Slide 17 Courtesy of
• Criminalistics An Introduction to Forensic
  Science (8th Edition)
• Slide 18 Courtesy of http//www.fbi.gov/hq/lab/fs
  c/backissu/july2000/deedric3.htm