IN THIS LESSON

Case summary

Laci Peterson, a pregnant woman from Modesto, California, went missing on Christmas Eve in 2002. Her disappearance gained national attention. Suspicion quickly turned toward her husband, Scott Peterson, who claimed he had gone fishing alone the morning Laci vanished.

Forensic method used

Forensic evidence played a critical role in linking Scott to the crime. Investigators used cadaver dogs, GPS tracking of his boat movements, and forensic analysis of hair on pliers found in his boat. Later, the decomposed bodies of Laci and her unborn son washed ashore, and forensic pathologists examined the remains to determine the cause of death and timeline.

Outcome

Scott Peterson was arrested and convicted in 2004 for the murder of his wife and unborn child. He was sentenced to death, although the sentence was later overturned to life imprisonment without parole. The forensic evidence, combined with circumstantial details, proved vital in securing a conviction.

Reflection

While the outcome was tragic, forensic science ensured that Laci and her unborn child received justice. The use of multiple scientific methods helped uncover the truth and gave her family the closure they desperately needed.