100 word response
1 reference/intext citation
Due 1/10/2025
Bet
Post 1 Q1:
“Reconstructing the past” intersects with investigative methods in more than one way, and particularly in the area of criminal investigations. The process of reconstructing the past involves accumulating pieces of evidence to put together and gain a better understanding of what took place previously. This process is crucial during the information gathering stage of all investigations. A potential complication of reconstructing the past can be the influencing of perspectives and biases of people working on the investigation. This influence can lead to misinterpretations or incorrect handling of evidence, which ultimately compromises the truth. However, a potential enhancement of the investigation is confirmation of a hypothesis, or a confirmation of evidence. By having a timeline to refer to, investigators can strengthen their case and positively confirm information that they otherwise may not have been able to firmly support. Scientists can also test hypotheses more effectively by reconstructing the past. Overall, the intersection of reconstructing the past with investigative methods highlights the necessity of this approach to gathering and interpreting evidence. It emphasizes the need for critical thinking and analytical skills. A really well known case that I have chosen to include is the unsolved case of Madeleine McCann in 2007. This is an example of when reconstructing the past can be a hindrance rather than a help during an investigation. After the child was abducted, the police began trying to reconstruct what happened that night but they received multiple unfounded theories and misinformation. And because of these conflicting witness statements and unfounded theories, it caused chaos and confusion.
