FOR 105 - Cases

Upcoming Quizzes and Reviews

• Quiz 2: Current quiz in focus.

• Quiz 3: Review scheduled during Thanksgiving break.

  • Review Concerns: Scheduled on Tuesday, coinciding with Thanksgiving; students with labs must attend.

  • Vote on Review: Instructor suggests potentially canceling review based on student preference.

    • Students expressed a desire to have the review.

Kristen Smart Case Overview

• Background: Kristen Smart, 19, went missing in 1996 after attending a frat party at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

  • Missing Details: Left belongings behind; borrowed keys but reportedly borrowed them to return to the dorm room.

• Timeline of Events:

  • Disappearance went unnoticed for days; parents reported her missing after not hearing from her.

  • Investigation began 4 days after her last seen.

• Primary Suspect: Paul Flores:

  • Found with a black eye shortly after her disappearance; inconsistent explanations for the injury.

  • Three varying stories about how he received his injuries raised suspicions.

  • Investigation Findings:

    • Cadaver dogs alerted to his dorm room where Smart had vanished.

    • Lack of securing the crime scene allowed potential evidence disposal.

Judicial Actions and Developments

• Wrongful Death Lawsuit: Filed against Paul Flores by Smart's family in 1997; Flores invoked the Fifth Amendment multiple times during deposition.

• Legal Status:

  • 2021: Fresh evidence led to Flores' arrest for Smart's murder.

  • 2022: Conviction achieved despite no remains found.

  • Current Status: Ongoing searches for remains; advanced search techniques employed.

Forensic Techniques Used

• Soil and Decomposition in Forensics:

• Techniques Discussed:

  • Stratigraphy: Analyzing soil layers for disturbance that indicates digging or decomposition.

  • Forensic Archaeology: Ground-penetrating radar used to locate potential burial sites.

  • Soil Samples: Testing indicating possible human remains through biochemical markers.

Developments in Cyber Crime

• Cyber Crime Landscape:

  • 2015: Data identified as a critical new natural resource and the basis for competitive advantage.

  • Cybercrime as a significant threat to all industries due to the reliance on technology.

  • Types of Cybercrime:

    • Common cyber crimes: Identity theft, financial fraud, ransomware.

  • Psychological Aspects:

    • 90% of cyberattacks linked to human error; vulnerabilities exploited through social engineering.

Historical Cyber Crime Examples

• Alberto Gonzales: Notorious hacker involved in one of the largest online bank heists, stealing millions of credit card details.

  • Arrested in 2007; contrast between physical bank heists and online fraud.

Security Measures and Human Elements

• Human Error: The weakest link in cybersecurity is often human negligence.

• Reinforcement Techniques:

  • Education and awareness are key in cyber defenses.

  • Importance of secure password practices and awareness of phishing scams.

Final Thoughts on Cybercrime Prevention

• Awareness is Critical: Engaging in active discussions and training can diminish the risk of becoming a victim.

• Misdirection Techniques: Cybercriminals utilize psychological tricks to misdirect attention and create urgency, leading to errors in judgment.

  • Importance of critical thinking in recognizing scams.

  • Strategies to avoid being manipulated, such as skepticism towards unsolicited communications.

Conclusion

• Future Gatherings: Review of quiz and mock presentations to occur in upcoming Thursdays.

• Safety Reminders: Stay informed and practice caution with online interactions.

Upcoming Quizzes and Reviews

• Quiz 2: Currently, Quiz 2 is the primary focus for students.

• Quiz 3: A comprehensive review session for Quiz 3 is scheduled during Thanksgiving break, allowing students to facilitate better preparation while managing holiday commitments.

• Review Concerns: On the scheduled review day, which coincides with Thanksgiving, all students who have practical lab commitments must ensure attendance to discuss any critical content.

• Vote on Review: The instructor has suggested potentially canceling the review session based on student preferences, yet students expressed strong support for proceeding with the review to clarify any uncertainties before the quiz.

Kristen Smart Case Overview

• Background: Kristen Smart, a 19-year-old freshman at California Polytechnic State University, went missing on May 25, 1996, after attending a fraternity party on campus grounds. She left behind her personal belongings, including her purse and ID, which raised immediate concerns.

• Missing Details: Kristen's last actions included borrowing a friend's keys to retrieve items from her dorm room, but she never made it back.

• Timeline of Events:

  • Kristen’s disappearance was initially overlooked for several days, prompting her parents to report her missing only after losing communication.

  • Authorities initiated an investigation four days after she was last seen, which hindered timely evidence gathering.

• Primary Suspect: Paul Flores:

  • Paul Flores, last seen with Kristen, was found with a black eye shortly after she vanished. His explanations regarding the injury were inconsistent and varied, leading to increased scrutiny.

  • He provided three contradictory stories about how he sustained the injury, raising suspicions further.

• Investigation Findings:

  • Cadaver dogs alerted investigators to Paul’s dorm room, suggesting a potential link to Kristin's disappearance.

  • Due to mismanagement, crucial evidence was not secured immediately, allowing for possible evidence contamination and disposal.

Judicial Actions and Developments

• Wrongful Death Lawsuit: In 1997, Smart's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Paul Flores. During the deposition, he invoked the Fifth Amendment multiple times, raising further public interest in the case due to the lack of cooperation.

• Legal Status:

  • In 2021, new evidence emerged leading to Paul Flores's arrest for the murder of Kristen Smart, reviving public interest and concern over the case.

  • By 2022, a conviction was reached even in the absence of Kristen’s remains, sparking discussions about justice in cases of missing persons.

• Current Status: Searches for Kristen's remains are ongoing, utilizing advanced search techniques and methods to uncover more evidence due to the prolonged duration since her disappearance.

Forensic Techniques Used

• Soil and Decomposition in Forensics:

  • Techniques Discussed:

    • Stratigraphy: Examining soil layers to identify any disruptions indicating potential burial sites or signs of organic decay.

    • Forensic Archaeology: Use of ground-penetrating radar to detect hidden burial sites without disturbing the surface.

    • Soil Samples: Conducting biochemical analyses on soil samples that may indicate the presence of human remains through specific markers detected in decomposition.

Developments in Cyber Crime

• Cyber Crime Landscape:

  • As of 2015, data has emerged as a crucial resource, fundamentally reshaping competitive dynamics across industries by establishing a new frontier for criminal activity.

  • Cybercrime presents a significant threat to all sectors due to heightened reliance on digital technology and online platforms and the consequent vulnerabilities exploited by malicious actors.

• Types of Cybercrime:

  • Common cyber crimes include identity theft, financial fraud, and ransomware attacks that exploit system weaknesses for personal gain.

• Psychological Aspects:

  • Analysis indicates that about 90% of cyberattacks are linked to human error, with social engineering tactics employed to manipulate individuals and compromise security protocols.

Historical Cyber Crime Examples

• Alberto Gonzales: A notable figure in cybercrime history, Gonzales was involved in one of the largest online bank heists ever, in which millions of credit card details were stolen through sophisticated hacking techniques.

  • He was arrested in 2007 and highlighted the difference between traditional physical bank heists and modern online fraud dynamics.

Security Measures and Human Elements

• Human Error: Identified as the weakest link in cybersecurity, human negligence plays a significant role in the success of cybercriminals.

• Reinforcement Techniques:

  • Fostering education and awareness remains crucial in bolstering cyber defenses. Organizations are encouraged to implement strong password practices and vigilance regarding phishing scams.

Final Thoughts on Cybercrime Prevention

• Awareness is Critical: Engaging students and employees in active discussions and training can significantly reduce the risk of victimization by cyber threats.

• Misdirection Techniques: Cybercriminals often employ psychological tricks to misdirect attention and induce a sense of urgency, thereby leading to errors in judgment among potential victims.

• Importance of Critical Thinking: Developing critical thinking skills is essential in recognizing and navigating scams, enabling individuals to question unsolicited communications and ensure personal security.

Conclusion

• Future Gatherings: Planned activities include a review of the upcoming quiz and mock presentations scheduled for future Thursdays to enhance learning outcomes.

• Safety Reminders: Students are advised to remain informed and exercise caution during online interactions to protect their personal information and avoid cyber threats.

Upcoming Quizzes and Reviews

• Quiz 2: Currently, Quiz 2 is the primary focus for students.

• Quiz 3: A comprehensive review session for Quiz 3 is scheduled during Thanksgiving break, allowing students to facilitate better preparation while managing holiday commitments.

• Review Concerns: On the scheduled review day, which coincides with Thanksgiving, all students who have practical lab commitments must ensure attendance to discuss any critical content.

• Vote on Review: The instructor has suggested potentially canceling the review session based on student preferences, yet students expressed strong support for proceeding with the review to clarify any uncertainties before the quiz.

Kristen Smart Case Overview

• Background: Kristen Smart, a 19-year-old freshman at California Polytechnic State University, went missing on May 25, 1996, after attending a fraternity party on campus grounds. She left behind her personal belongings, including her purse and ID, which raised immediate concerns.

• Missing Details: Kristen's last actions included borrowing a friend's keys to retrieve items from her dorm room, but she never made it back.

• Timeline of Events:

  • Kristen’s disappearance was initially overlooked for several days, prompting her parents to report her missing only after losing communication.

  • Authorities initiated an investigation four days after she was last seen, which hindered timely evidence gathering.

• Primary Suspect: Paul Flores:

  • Paul Flores, last seen with Kristen, was found with a black eye shortly after she vanished. His explanations regarding the injury were inconsistent and varied, leading to increased scrutiny.

  • He provided three contradictory stories about how he sustained the injury, raising suspicions further.

• Investigation Findings:

  • Cadaver dogs alerted investigators to Paul’s dorm room, suggesting a potential link to Kristin's disappearance.

  • Due to mismanagement, crucial evidence was not secured immediately, allowing for possible evidence contamination and disposal.

Judicial Actions and Developments

• Wrongful Death Lawsuit: In 1997, Smart's family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Paul Flores. During the deposition, he invoked the Fifth Amendment multiple times, raising further public interest in the case due to the lack of cooperation.

• Legal Status:

  • In 2021, new evidence emerged leading to Paul Flores's arrest for the murder of Kristen Smart, reviving public interest and concern over the case.

  • By 2022, a conviction was reached even in the absence of Kristen’s remains, sparking discussions about justice in cases of missing persons.

• Current Status: Searches for Kristen's remains are ongoing, utilizing advanced search techniques and methods to uncover more evidence due to the prolonged duration since her disappearance.

Forensic Techniques Used

• Soil and Decomposition in Forensics:

  • Techniques Discussed:

    • Stratigraphy: Examining soil layers to identify any disruptions indicating potential burial sites or signs of organic decay.

    • Forensic Archaeology: Use of ground-penetrating radar to detect hidden burial sites without disturbing the surface.

    • Soil Samples: Conducting biochemical analyses on soil samples that may indicate the presence of human remains through specific markers detected in decomposition.

Developments in Cyber Crime

• Cyber Crime Landscape:

  • As of 2015, data has emerged as a crucial resource, fundamentally reshaping competitive dynamics across industries by establishing a new frontier for criminal activity.

  • Cybercrime presents a significant threat to all sectors due to heightened reliance on digital technology and online platforms and the consequent vulnerabilities exploited by malicious actors.

• Types of Cybercrime:

  • Common cyber crimes include identity theft, financial fraud, and ransomware attacks that exploit system weaknesses for personal gain.

• Psychological Aspects:

  • Analysis indicates that about 90% of cyberattacks are linked to human error, with social engineering tactics employed to manipulate individuals and compromise security protocols.

Historical Cyber Crime Examples

• Alberto Gonzales: A notable figure in cybercrime history, Gonzales was involved in one of the largest online bank heists ever, in which millions of credit card details were stolen through sophisticated hacking techniques.

  • He was arrested in 2007 and highlighted the difference between traditional physical bank heists and modern online fraud dynamics.

Security Measures and Human Elements

• Human Error: Identified as the weakest link in cybersecurity, human negligence plays a significant role in the success of cybercriminals.

• Reinforcement Techniques:

  • Fostering education and awareness remains crucial in bolstering cyber defenses. Organizations are encouraged to implement strong password practices and vigilance regarding phishing scams.

Final Thoughts on Cybercrime Prevention

• Awareness is Critical: Engaging students and employees in active discussions and training can significantly reduce the risk of victimization by cyber threats.

• Misdirection Techniques: Cybercriminals often employ psychological tricks to misdirect attention and induce a sense of urgency, thereby leading to errors in judgment among potential victims.

• Importance of Critical Thinking: Developing critical thinking skills is essential in recognizing and navigating scams, enabling individuals to question unsolicited communications and ensure personal security.

Conclusion

• Future Gatherings: Planned activities include a review of the upcoming quiz and mock presentations scheduled for future Thursdays to enhance learning outcomes.

• Safety Reminders: Students are advised to remain informed and exercise caution during online interactions to protect their personal information and avoid cyber threats.