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Forensic analysis reveals the true nature of a person’s death.
solving crimes with physics
As Gustafson searched for his glasses, Bell came up behind him and
struck him—hard—to the head. Witnesses reported hearing a cracking noise
as the blow fell. Gustafson immediately collapsed to the ground, where
he lay until a few partygoers and Bell took him to the hospital emergency
room. Gustafson died ten days later from the massive head trauma he suf-
fered that night.
A jury deemed the violent blow Bell delivered to Gustafson’s head to be
excessive force, and convicted Bell of second-degree murder. Bell argued
that he was defending himself and his friends from Gustafson, whom he
said he thought was holding a gun. Forensic analysis of the wound and
blood spatter, however, proved to be important evidence that indicated the
