LSCI 106: ONLINE RESEARCH 1: INTRODUCTION TO ONLINE RESEARCH

LSCI 106: ONLINE RESEARCH 1: INTRODUCTION TO ONLINE RESEARCH

Cheryl A. Wagerman

WEBLIOGRAPHY

RESEARCH QUESTION:

Why are the murders in Brentwood unsolved, when the DNA evidence all points to one person?

In a display that left jurors with statistical sticker shock, DNA expert Robin Cotton testified that a drop of blood found at a crime scene and bearing O.J. Simpson’s genetic profile could only have come from 1 in 170 million people. She also stated that Nicole Brown Simpson is virtually the only person on earth who’s DNA would match that found on the bloody socks in O.J.’s bedroom.

GENERAL SEARCH WORKSHEET

CONCEPT #

Search Terms

DNA

genetic evidence

O.J. Simpson

crime scene*

Brentwood

Bundy

blood

Murder*

SUBJECT HEADINGS

EbscoHost:

SIMPSON, O.J. -- Trials, litigation, etc.: 2946 records
DNA fingerprinting -- United States: 80
Crime*--scene*: 4 records
O.J.—Simpson—murder: 1250 records
DNA—Evidence—O.J. Simpson: 4 records

PLS Online Catalog:

Murder in Brentwood: 1 record

Proquest Newspapers Database

O.J. Simpson—DNA—evidence: 11 records
Blood—DNA—O.J. Simpson: 1 record

PLS and Advanced Ebsco Host

DNA—Evidence—Crime*:
DNA—O.J. Simpson—Murder*:
Crime Scene—DNA:
DNA—Evidence:

DATABASE RESULTS

EbscoHost Academic Search Elite & Masterfile Premier (access date: 3/12/02)

Field	Search Terms	Total Records
KEYWORD	Crime* and scene*
KEYWORD	AND O.J. Simpson
KEYWORD	AND murder and DNA evidence	1258

PLS Online Catalog (access date: 3/19/02)

Field	Search Terms	Records
CRIME	Crime Scene evidence	1

Proquest Database: (access date: 4/09/02)

Field	Search Terms	Records
subject	O.J. Simpson and DNA evidence	11 records
subject	AND blood DNA and O.J. Simpson	1 record

PLS and Advanced Ebsco Host (access date: 4/16/02)

	Search Terms	Records
Subject	DNA Evidence and crime
Subject	DNA O.J. Simpson and murder
Subject	Crime scene and DNA
Subject	DNA and Evidence

Google (access date4/16/02)

Search Terms	Records
O.J. Simpson and dna evidence	~5700

Librarians Index to the Internet (access date: 3/5/02)

Field	Search	Records (Hits)
subject	Crime scene*	2

WEBLIOGRAPHY

Ellis, David. “Weighing the Evidence” People 15 May 1995: 71+. Academic Search Elite. EbscoHost. 29 Mar. 2002 <http://search.epnet.com/direct.asp?AN=9505097567&db=afh&>

Reutter, Vicki, et. al. Rev. of The O. J. Simpson Murder Trial, by Michael J. Pellowski. School Library Journal December 2001: 169+. Academic Search Elite. EbscoHost. 29 Mar. 2002. <http://search.epnet.com/direct.asp?AN=5636143&db=afh&>

U.S. News & World Report, 5/22/95, Vol. 118 Issue 20 p12, 1/2p.O.J. and the (1-in-170 Million) odds <http://ehostvgw12.epnet.com/ehost.asp?key=204.179.122.129_8000_-1763233982&site=ehost&return=y&custid=s9035453 >

This is one of the most controversial murder trials of all time. Pellowski touches on many of the factors that affected its outcome, including the strong personalities involved, complex scientific evidence, accusations of racism, and massive media coverage. A portrayal of Simpson the football hero is offset by a description of his hot temper and jealousy-ridden, troubled marriages. The author presents the elements of the investigation in an objective manner; often pausing to ask readers’ opinions as each development unfolds. One chapter compares the murder trial to the civil trial that followed.

“Murder in Brentwood” Fuhrman, Mark Washington, D.C.: Regnery Pub.1997 <http://207.62.234.51/plsclient.html >

Christian Science Monitor 11 Oct. 1995, Woodland Hills, California, Gloria Goodale, <http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?Did=000000019968156&Fmt=3&Deli=1&Mtd=1&Idx=8&Sid=1&RQT=309 >

The Washington Post 12 May 1995, Washington D.C. Nell Henderson; Mark Fisher; <http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?Did=000000019563775&Fmt=3&Deli=1&Mtd=1&Idx=3&Sid=2&RQT=309 >

DNA Evidence in Simpson Trial September 15, 1995 <http://ehostvgw10.epnet.com/ehost.asp?key=204.179.122.141_8000_-694052523&site=ehost&return=y&custid=s9035453 >

Handbook of Forensic Services, U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigations, 1999 <http://ehostvgw21.epnet.com/ehost.asp?key=204.179.122.129_8000_-2145724775&site=ehost&return=y&custid=s9035453 >

Newsweek, 10/16/95, Vol. 126 Issues 16 p40, 4p. 3c. Reibstein, Larry; Miller, Mark <http://ehostvgw10.epnet.com/ehost.asp?key=204.179.122.129_8000_322307770&site=ehost&return=y&custid=s9035453 >

“What went wrong” At the beginning prosecutors said they had a ‘mountain of evidence’ at the end, the jury said it was a molehill. The DNA blood results—hardly mattered. Despite the astounding statistics linking Simpson to the blood, prosecutors presented the evidence in a lengthy confusing way. This is all Monday-morning quarterbacking, of course. In the end, nothing may have a significant difference. The Dream Team may have been too good, the jury too skeptical, the evidence too weak. But after a rout, questions need to be asked, for the prosecutors did not stand up on their own. By word and deed, they represent the People.

“ DNA Fingerprinting and the O.J. Simpson case.” Popular Science, November 1994, p. 60. Exploding the Gene Myth by Ruth Hubbard and Elijah Wald, Beacon, Boston, 1992, pp. 145-152. “DNA Fingerprinting: Science, Law, and the Ultimate Identifier” by Eric Lander, in The Code of Codes by Daniel J. Kevles and Leroy Hood, Harvard, Cambridge, 1992, pp. 191-210. <http://students,washington.edu/radin/oj.htm >

DNA Evidence in the OJ Simpson Trial <www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/Simpson/Dna,htm >

Handbook of Forensic Services created February 27, 2001 – updated – December 28, 2001< http://www.fbi.gov/hq/lab/handbook/intro.htm >

last revised: 3-5-02 by Eric Brenner, Skyline College, San Bruno, CA

These materials are copyrighted, but may be used for educational purposes if you inform and credit the author and cite the source as: LSCI 106 Computerized Research. All commercial rights are reserved. Send comments or suggestions to: Eric Brenner at brenner@smccd.net