All cases on this website are either based on actual cases, or are an amalgam of other criminal activity but placed in an environmental crime context.

State foresters, inspecting a large wooded tract in a 'managed' (leased to a logging company) forest are dismayed to find more than one hundred forty used tires dumped in a clearing. Responding rangers treat this crime the same as any other crime: they establish a crime scene, prohibit access, and perform a crime scene search. The scene reveals nothing besides a few footprints and tire tracks, a soda can, a potato chip bag, and the tires themselves. 

List the value of the various exhibits as evidence. Hold down your left mouse button and highlight the answers below.

Tire tracks: brand and model of tire, type of vehicle they were designed for, wheelbase and track of the vehicle. See CSI link for further information.

Footprints: size, brand, and model of shoes, intended use, approximate height of suspect from stride, relative weight. See CSI link for further information.

Soda can: fingerprints, DNA from opening, manufacturer's stamp on the bottom of the can giving date and time manufactured, manufacturing plant, distribution lot number/location and date of distribution.

Chip bag: fingerprints, manufacturer's stamp on the bottom of the can giving date and time manufactured, manufacturing plant, distribution lot number/location and date of distribution.

Note: Due to the cost, the agency may not be willing to spend the money on DNA analysis on this type of crime.

Tires: Manufacturer, plant, date, lot code, distributor