Ted Bundy
(Theodore Robert Cowell)
Ted Bundy Was an American Serial Killer, Rapist, Kidnapper & Necrophile
Modus Operandi (MO)
Ted Bundy's MO was a luring type of one. He would often wear a plaster cast on his leg or use an arm sling. He would ask someone to help bring items to his car such as shopping bags etc. The car would usually have a blunt weapon stored in it
Arrest & Evidence
Ted Bundy was arrested August 1975 at a highway in Utah by a patrol officer in Granger, Salt Lake City suburb near Murray. After failing to pull over for a routine stop, The officer noticed his front passenger seat was missing searched the car; he found a ski mask, a second mask made out of a pantyhose, a crowbar, handcuffs, trash bags, a coil of rope, an ice pick and other items that seemed to be burglary tools. Ted Bundy told the police officer that the ski mask was for skiing, he found the handcuffs in a dumpster and all other items were just household objects. But Detective Jerry Thompson remembered a similar car description from the November 1974 DaRonch kidnapping, as well as Ted Bundy's name from a Kloepfer's phone call in December 1974. Police searched Ted Bundy's apartment and found a guide to a ski resort in Colorado with a checkmark by the wood inn, as well as a brochure advertising Viewmont High School, but with no hard evidence to hold him he was released. On February 12, with insufficient cash to pay his overdue rent and a growing suspicion that police were closing in on him, Bundy stole a car and fled Tallahassee, driving westward across the Florida Panhandle Three days later at around 1:00 a.m, he was stopped by Pensacola police officer David Lee near the Alabama state line after a "wants and warrants" check showed his Volkswagen Beetle as stolen. When told he was under arrest, Bundy kicked Lee's legs and took off running. Lee fired a warning shot and then a second round, Chased Bundy, and tackled him. The two struggled over Lee's gun before the officer finally subdued and arrested Bundy. In the stolen vehicle were three sets of FSU coeds' IDs, 21 stolen credit cards, and a stolen television. Also a pair of dark-rimmed non-prescription glasses and a pair of plaid slacks, later identified as the disguise worn in Jacksonville. As Lee transported his suspect to jail, unaware that he had just arrested one of the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives, he heard Bundy say, "I wish you had killed me."
Forensics
Ted Bundy was caught by the hair in his ski mask found when he was stopped at the highway in Utah, as well as teeth impressions found on a few of his victims. The ways these pieces of evidence can be unravelled is by Matching DNA fibres for hair and creating teeth casts to match with Ted Bundy's.
Odontology
Forensic odontologists are highly experienced, well trained dentist who use their expert skills to identify bite marks to a specific person. Forensic odontologists are used mainly when:
- Investigators need to identify human markings and/or remains that cannot be identified using fingerprints or other evidence.
- To identify bodies that have gone through severe destruction or the person is too dismantled or bludgeoned to be identified. Teeth are used because most of the time teeth survive most attacks or accidents.
- To determine the source of bite mark injuries to find who has been assaulting or abusing.
- Estimating the age of a skeletal remain.
- To testify in cases of dental malpractice.
The odontologist will either be called in by police officers, medical examiners or the coroner
In death, forensic odontologists will attend an autopsy and take photograph of cranial measurements, dental impressions and Xrays of the remains. All of these are compared to the known missing individuals. If there is a match the remains can be identified.
In cases where the bite marks are found on the victim or the suspect the or even foods, the same procedure is made.
The final procedure is when the forensic odontologist writes a detailed report on his findings and what has happened, making conclusions with the support of his evidence. The forensic odontologist must also be ready to explain his findings and give his report in court.
DNA Profiling
DNA can be used for the forensic identification of:
- To identify potential suspects who's DNA might have been left at the scene of a crime.
- To exonerate people who have not committed the crime or have been accused.
- Identifying victims at the scene of crimes or at accidents etc.
-To establish links in family members
- To establish organ donors with recipients in transplant
- Detecting bacteria and other organisms that may have polluted the air/ water/ soil