Murder Trial Worksheet

In the Anatomy of a Murder site, click on Follow the Murder Trial. Use the twelve chapters of this fictional murder to complete your worksheet. Click on The Facts Behind the Story for more detailed information.

  1. Describe, in detail, what the detectives did to secure the crime scene once they had arrived.









  2. How did the police begin their preliminary investigation?






  3. What did the Coroner's office do at the scene of the crime?





  4. What are police officers doing when they say they are searching for latent prints?





  5. Give two examples of probable cause that police may use to search a person's car.






  6. What is the Forty-Eight Hour rule?





  7. What types of questions do detective ask members of the victim's family?








  8. What rights are provided to suspects upon their arrest? Explain.





  9. Describe what happens to a suspect after his rights are read and he/she is taken to police headquarters.









  10. Explain the process of applying for a search warrant.





  11. Give one example of why a suspect may be denied bail.




  12. Define the term "voir dire".




  13. There are two ways that a juror might be removed. Give the two reasons, and define each.








  14. What percentage of criminal cases are plea bargained?





  15. Briefly summarize the results of the case.