How to Gather Evidence to Support a Murder Charge

It is generally the task of law enforcement officials to gather the physical evidence to support a murder charge. However, if you've been given the task of prosecuting a person accused of murder in court, you have more at your disposal than just the materials the cops collected at the crime scene.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Legal consultant
• Access to police records
• Tape recorder and tape (may be needed)

1. Review the accused individual's arrest history (usually informally referred to as a "rap sheet"). If the person has a history of offenses involving violent crime, you can present this in court to create a probable link to the murder charge in question.
2. Take a look at all of the evidence that forensics experts, detectives and the responding officer(s) gathered at the original crime scene. In general, if someone is going on trial for murder, it's because there was sufficient physical evidence to suggest her guilt to lay charges. Your task will be to organize that evidence into a presentable, logical argument.
3. Interview witnesses. Learn exactly what it was that they heard or saw on the day of the murder, and prepare to assimilate that information into the overall case you're making against the defendant. Record the interview (with the witness's permission) so that you can accurately review it later.
4. Gather as much background information about the defendant as possible that demonstrates he is a person who has the capability to commit murder. For example, if a husband is accused of killing his ex-wife in a fit of rage, find witnesses who can testify that the defendant had a known history of spousal abuse. You want to convince the jury that the character of the defendant is consistent with the charges against him.
5. Consider hiring expert witnesses to support any valid theories you may have about the crime if you lack the physical proof to demonstrate them irrefutably. Referral services that can link clients with expert witnesses can be provided to you through legal offices.
6. Assimilate all of the evidence you've gathered into a single cohesive argument designed to convince a jury of the defendant's guilt. You will need to not only present the evidence, but also demonstrate how it points to the accused party's culpability.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the help of a legal consultant to ensure that all the evidence you gather to support the murder charge is acquired legally. If you've contravened legal protocol in the gathering of evidence, the judge in the case may rule it inadmissible in court.