Chain of Evidence
Detective Smith of the Marion County Sheriff's Office takes notes during the interview of a witness of an armed robbery. His final report contains all facts and observations during the investigation and is an electronic copy of the handwritten notes. After his final report is approved by the supervisor, he destroys all handwritten notes.
A month later, Detective Smith is subpoenaed to a deposition and the defense attorney asks for the handwritten notes.
- Research whether Detective Smith destroyed evidence when he shredded his handwritten notes.
- Determine whether his actions fall under spoliation and whether sanctions can be imposed.
- How would you defend yourself in this situation?
Your paper should be 3-4 pages long, not including your cover page and references, and must include at least three different sources. Take care to use credible sources, such as peer-reviewed articles, expert blogs, and the textbook. The databases in the CSU-Global Library are good places to find these resources!