Quincy Gaddy
Senior Capstone
For my Senior Capstone, I've chosen to focus on Human Rights in the criminal justice system and how forensic science plays a critical role in that. I've always had a love for forensics. After enrolling in a forensic class this year, my understanding has expanded, realizing it's much more than what is shown on TV.
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Thesis: Forensic science does not always promote human rights for all individuals because the fate of some people who face the criminal justice system is determined by access to resources, prejudice, and discrimination leading to injustices such as wrongful convictions.
Product Number 1
For my first product, I was tasked with writing a research paper. My research was a rigorous process because it could only contain a limited amount of information. Also, the beginning stages were rough. I wasn't able to come up with a thought-provoking thesis, and wasn't sure which direction to take my paper in. However, once I got started, I couldn't stop. My favorite part to write was in the "Miscarriages of Justice" section. Specifically, the paragraph about wrongful convictions. Wrongful convictions have been a huge interest of mine. Looking at the numbers, the amount of wrongfully convicted convicts that are in jail is a large sum and a real issue. That's why I wanted to include it in my paper. I felt that whoever reads it should grasp the severity of the injustice that goes on throughout the criminal justice system.
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Click the pdf below to read my paper!
Product Number 2
For my second product, I've chosen to write letters as a man who is currently incarcerated. The letters are addressed to the man's older brother as he tells the tale of his imprisonment.
Click the link to read my letters!
Here's a blurb from one of my letters:
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Coming from where we are, not many people become successful. They’re either homeless, dead, or incarcerated, so the fact that the tw… the fact that I made it here is incredible. Yet, you are a statistic of our unruly heritage little brother. Our mom was a deserter, she left us when we were both young, and our father is an alcoholic who lives three blocks away from you. Look at that, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Product Number 3
​For my third product, I've chosen to create a real-life crime scene. More details to come soon!