Okay, so I'm stuck until I can get accurate answers to a few questions. I have created a scene that demands the attention of local law enforcement. Here's the scenerio:
Important Fact #1: There are no dead bodies, but the entire family is missing.
Important Fact #2: There are bullet holes everywhere and signs of forced entry.
Important Fact #3: There is blood at the scene.
Important Fact #4: There is a car in the driveway with evidence of backing into a tree and a broken out driver's side window.
Important Fact #5: Said car does not belong to any of the family members.
Okay, given these facts, how would the police react/respond/investigate? Would this be considered a homicide scene or a treated more as a missing persons until a body shows up? Would the house be roped off? Would a detective be assigned to monitor the house?
Keep in mind this all takes place in a small town.
Important Fact #1: There are no dead bodies, but the entire family is missing.
Important Fact #2: There are bullet holes everywhere and signs of forced entry.
Important Fact #3: There is blood at the scene.
Important Fact #4: There is a car in the driveway with evidence of backing into a tree and a broken out driver's side window.
Important Fact #5: Said car does not belong to any of the family members.
Okay, given these facts, how would the police react/respond/investigate? Would this be considered a homicide scene or a treated more as a missing persons until a body shows up? Would the house be roped off? Would a detective be assigned to monitor the house?
Keep in mind this all takes place in a small town.
Opening disclaimer: Everything I know about law enforcement comes from a law class that had nothing to do with homicide and a lot of 80s and 90s movies.
ReplyDeleteI don't think they can call it a homicide case until a body turns up, but they would still rope off the area to keep people from messing with the evidence. There is enough out of place at the home that someone would use the phrase "potential homicide." I don't know if that is a real classification, or just a colloquial phrase.
In a small town, though, you have to consider whether any of the police knew the family members, and how that relationship worked. If the local sheriff is a Hatfield and the McCoys are missing, then no one may even care.
Your thoughts are right along the lines of what I was thinking. Any idea on if the house would be watched? I'm assuming funding would have a lot to do with this.
ReplyDeleteHmm...that's a good question, and you raise a good point in bringing up funding. I can think of three tasks that would be on the menu
ReplyDelete1. Watch the house for the owner of the car
2. Check the area for trees that have been backed into (bits of paint, tail light, license plate, etc)
3. Start talking to people who knew the family (whether they had enemies, etc) and try and investiage potential locations.
So, I think they would want to post someone at the house, but if funding is an issue, one of the other things might take precedence... unfortunately, I couldn't tell you which (though, since it's your story, maybe you do).
Hi, I'm from Tudor's Desk...thanks for the comment (and if your blogname refers to either Les Miserables OR Laputa the anime movie thing, I totally dig it. Even if it doesn't. Whatever).
ReplyDeleteThe premise you lay out is really intriguing! But, ah, to be helpful? What stanman said.
You can't say there was a homicide, and I don't think "potential homicide" is a technical term, although in a small town someone might say it off-the-record.
I'm going to disagree and say that they wouldn't want to post someone at the house. Too much effort/funding for something that probably would NOT yield a return, unless there's something else at the scene that really convinces the officer in charge that someone could come back. Like, he left his wallet. Or something.
They'd be more likely to try and trace the car - any tags? can they check any database [DMV or otherwise] for that type of make/model? Do they have the money to at *least* test whose blood is in the house? If it matches anyone on record or something, or at least determine the type. Same thing with the gunshots. If there are any slugs left or anything they can figure out the type of gun and check who has that ytpe of gun registered in the community... Have you read "The Forensic Casebook?" That might help somewhat.
There's all sorts of things they *can* do, unfortunately none of these venues will probably yield a real clue. *shrug*