Composite Sketches

 

Compostite sketch of Chicago strip mall shooter.

Composite sketching has been around for longer than most people think. The first drawing system for the purpose of criminal identification was devised in 1896. In 1910, a drawing was used to capture Dr. Hawley Harvey Crippen for the murder of his wife.

I remember the days when the Identi-KIT was a wooden box filled with clear, poly sheets that could be overlayed to create an image of a person’s face. The sheets were simply pictures of face shapes, noses, ears, eyes, hair styles of various shades, and lips.

Detectives sat in a room with a witness, and together they painstakingly picked out face parts that best resembled the suspect’s features until they had a final image of the crook’s face. The images weren’t always the best in the world, but it gave us something to work with. Sometimes we were lucky and came up with a real dead-on ringer.

Chicago police captured serial killer Richard Speck using an early Identi-Kit sketch kit.

Forensic artists were also employed to draw sketches, freehand, based on witness descriptions.

Then, finally, Identi-KIT and a few other companies developed software that can provide an image of a suspect’s face in mere seconds based on a few basic interview questions. With this software, investigators have the ability to fine-tune details such as eye and face shapes.

 

 

 

Some investigators still prefer to employ a forensic artist to draw the composite. I’d be curious to hear what Forensic Artist Robin Burcell has to say about this one. Are you out there, Robin?

* Thanks to Identi-KIT and Tru TV

/by

Theft Detection Products

 

Invisible Fluorescent Pen

This pen is used to mark porous items, such as currency and other paper. The pen’s markings become visible when exposed to UV light.

 

Fluorescent crayons can be used to secretly mark a variety of items, such as tires, money, wood, metal, glass, etc. Their markings are invisible until exposed to UV light.

 

Theft detection sprays are applied to items, such as papers, floors, doorknobs, filing cabinets, safes, drawer pulls, etc. When the thief touches the treated surface, the detection spray is transferred to his fingertips and hands. It also transfers to the thief’s clothing, pockets, buttons, and zipper, and anything else he touches. The spray remains on the thief’s hands for days and glows brightly when exposed to UV light.

 

For about $300.00 a detective can purchace an entire kit of theft detection equipment containing all the items pictured above, including the UV light, and more.

Thanks to Tri-Tech, Inc.

/by

Constitutional Search Warrant Requirements

 

Contrary to the belief of some, and to the image that’s sometimes portrayed on television, police officers cannot enter a private residence without a warrant or permission to do so. Of course there are exceptions to every rule, but the exceptions to this one are few and must be only in dire emergencies.

– A search warrant is valid only if it is issued pursuant to an affidavit stating each and every fact that establishes the probable to search for certain people and items. For example, the officer who is asking for a search warrant must apply for it by filling out a form, a sort of application, called an affidavit. This application (affidavit) must clearly explain every single reason why she wants to go to inside someone’s house without the owner’s permission, by breaking down the front door, if necessary.

Normally, the officer must swear to (under oath) the facts in her affidavit.

– The description of the place to be searched must be in vivid detail, almost down to the size and color of the doorknob. (I’m exaggerating – not much – , but you get the idea).

– Search warrants must be served promptly. Normally, there is a three or four day rule. If officers wait longer than that time frame the search may be ruled invalid.

– In most cases, officers are required to knock and announce their presence. (Knock, knock. “This is the police. I have a warrant to search this house. If you don’t open the door I’m going to huff, and puff, and… Well, you get the idea).

The exceptions to the knock and announce rule are if the officer has good reason to believe that:

1) There is a clear and present danger to himself and anyone else present, including people inside the house.

2)  The delay of entry would cause irreparable harm to the investigation (evidence would be destroyed).

The easiest way to serve a search warrant is to knock on the door and wait for someone to answer. This is definitely the safest way to serve a search warrant. Unfortunately, the bad guys don’t always play by the rules

If no one answers the door in a reasonable amount of time (Normally a few seconds – 15 seconds or so) police officers are legally permitted to damage property, if that’s what is required, to gain entry.

 

 

 


/by

Cops and Knives

killer with knife

 

Someone asked me to write a blog about the types of knives carried and used by law-enforcement officers. Here are a few examples of those edged weapons.

The Bi-Polar knife has two blades and has the capability of cutting anything from fishing line to seat belts. It’s also designed to safely break glass. The knife is equipped with a safety to prevent accidents (keeps the blade from opening at inappropriate times, like when it’s in your pocket). This blade can be used by anyone from firefighters, medical techs, to police officers.

The manufacturer promises that this knife, The Flash,  handles like a race car on rails. It’s even equipped with a safety similar to the ones found on firearms. When the red square on the the handle is visible the knife is in its ready position. I sort of figured if the blade was out that would be all the signal I needed to know the knife was ready for use, but…

The Trident has stronger locks and easier releases than many of its counterparts. Like The Flash, it, too, has a red safety feature, but the Trident also has a patented “groove” in the handle that allows users to cut seat belts, rope, etc. without opening the blade. Now that’s a time-saver and a safety feature all rolled into one.

Spyderco Police Model.

There’s not much to say about this one other than its main features are a pocket clip and a thumb hole for easy control and use. It appears that one model does not have a serrated edge while the other two do. The pocket clip would allow for easy access (You would’t have to dig around your pocket searching for it. FYI – The pockets on uniform pants can be quite deep).

Smith and Wesson SWAT Ops Linerlock.

The interesting thing about this weapon is that its stainless steel blade is coated with a non-reflective Teflon coating. Less chance of the bad guy seeing you in the dark.

Thanks to Arrowhead Forensics for the information.

*   *   *

The Bulletin Board

I think every bad guy should be issued one of these.

/by