I Will Find You by Kenda Joe

Author:Kenda, Joe [Kenda, Joe]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: MAM
Published: 2017-09-26T00:00:00+00:00

FORSAKEN FORENSICS

Most forensic evidence faces similar problems, whether it is ballistics reports, tire tracks, shoe prints, hair and bite mark comparisons, or findings in an arson case. It’s not science so much as opinion, and, as a result, it is often effectively challenged by competent defense attorneys.

I do have faith in the opinions of medical examiners who are doctors and can back up their reports with physical evidence. Most other forensic science leaves me cold. It can be helpful, yes, but you can’t build a case on it.

I have found ballistics evidence useful if the gun barrel involved leaves distinctive marks on the bullets recovered at a crime scene. A unique shoe print can also be useful, but knowing that the killer wore size 10-D Nikes is not enough to make my heart go pitty-pat. If you hauled in everyone who wore that size, you’d have a lineup that circled the planet.

Even if the forensics guys can tell me that the Nike-wearing killer knelt down in the victim’s blood and left a knee imprint from a pair of Levi 501 jeans, I’m still not getting buzzed. To prove a case, I needed evidence specific to our suspect. Otherwise his defense attorney would saddle me up and ride merrily into the sunset.

Here’s an example of a good specific bit of crime scene evidence: A woman was shot. A slug was recovered from her body during the autopsy. The bullet was relatively intact because it didn’t hit bone. Our police department’s own ballistics expert was well respected in his field. He took a look at it and called me.

“You’re a lucky SOB, Kenda,” he said.

“Why’s that?”

“I will stake my reputation that this bullet was fired from a mint-condition Single Action Army, SAA, Model P, Peacemaker M1873,” he said, reveling in his expert glory.

He was talking about the legendary “gun that won the West,” a Colt .45, and likely this was a valuable collector’s model, worth maybe $12,000.

So, not your typical Saturday night special! This bit of very specific evidence gave me something to chew on. Within a short time, I found myself talking to an associate of a suspect in the case. He happened to mention that his friend, my suspect, was an antique gun collector.

Excuse me, what did you say? Would you be offended if I kissed you on the mouth?

The rest of the case fell into place, not immediately, but with only a few twists and turns. The owner of the Colt .45 wasn’t the killer, but the killer had “borrowed” his prized Peacemaker to disturb the peace and take the life of her handsome lover’s poor wife.

I was sad for the victim and her loved ones, but happy that her killer chose such a distinctive weapon, because it helped send the murderous lovers to the hellhole they deserved.

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