VHS Algebra Worksheet

Part 1:

Calculations

As an Expert Mathematics Witness, you have been presented with a Ballistics Report, and a Police Report as your evidence. Use the information provided within these files to prove who, out of the three suspects, is guilty of the crime.

Use the links below to download the files:

• Ballistics Lab Report
• Police Report and Witness Statement

Question 1

Calculations

As an Expert Mathematics Witness, you have been presented with a Ballistics Report, and a Police Report as your evidence. Use the information provided within these files (above) to prove who, out of the three suspects, is guilty of the crime.

Using the evidence provided, complete all calculations necessary to conclude which window the shooter fired from. E-mail these calculations to your teacher and wait for feedback. Then make any necessary corrections before moving on to Part 2.

Question 1 options:Hint: Complete the diagram with the given information found in the Police and Ballistics Reports. Then express the height that the bullet is fired from in terms of the bullet’s angle of entry and the angle W. Use this as a starting point to determine which window the gun was fired from.Part 2: PresentationSubmit one of the following to present your results.Written ReportVideo PresentationPowerPoint PresentationAudio PresentationMake sure to include all of your calculations from the first part and the answers to the following questions:Question 2 PresentationSubmit one of the following to present your results.Written report with supporting diagrams (at most 5 pages)Video presentation (maximum 10 minutes)PowerPoint presentation (at most 15 slides)In your report or presentation you must:Question 2 options:1) State your name and date for the court.2) State your expert qualifications.3) In your expert opinion, which window did the suspect commit the crime from?4) Can you justify and explain your findings mathematically for the jury?(Keep in mind that the jury likely has some members who have very limited knowledge/understanding of trigonometry).5) What is your concluding statement for the court? VHS PD Ballistics Lab
97865 Virtual Lane
Fallhedge, CA
Report # 56987
Report Completed by: T. Cos
Attention: MHF4U Student
In accordance with your instructions we have completed a ballistic report at the Ballistics Lab with
regards to the incident at 360 Trigonometric Apartments on the date of June 21.
Testing was conducted in accordance to HP607 standards using caliber 9x19mm rifle using a .308mm
bullet which is consistent with what was found on the crime scene. Table I presents a summary of the
results:
Table 1 Summary of Results
Number
VHSPDBL-12
Weight (lbs.)
20.8
Caliber
9x19mm
Entry Angle
5
12
Shots
1
Penetration
1
Based on the evidence in Table 1, the test sample confirms that the victim was shot in the chest, with an
entry angle of
5
radians. This report is based on the testing conducted at the Ballistics Lab with
12
the information provided from the crime scene. The test sample is being discarded.
Yours Truly,
T. Cos
VHS Police Department
97865 Virtual Lane
Fallhedge, CA
Report # 56987
Date of Incident: June 21
Reporting Officer: H. Sine, Crime Scene Investigator
Incident
On June 21 at the location of 360 Trigonometric Apartments, a victim shot by the suspect at 7:13pm
from the window of the building.
The building is a high rise apartment building with ten floors. There were residents home from the 5th,
6th, and 7th floors from a unit facing the road where the victim was shot. There is 3.048m between each
apartment floor.
All suspects have pleaded not guilty and claims to not have any relations with the victim. At the time of
the crime the victim was walking their dog.
Witness Statement
Witness: C. Tan
C. Tan (W) was 10m away from the victim (V) when the shot was fired. Both the victim and the witness
were an equal distance from the door (G) of the apartment building when the crime occurred. (See
figure 1)
“I heard a loud bang from the apartment building. When I looked up I saw a person running
from a window. The victim was not far from where I was standing when the incident occurred. I
immediately called the VHS Police Department emergency line for help.”
Crime Scene Sketch