INTERESTING WEB SITE
HOAXBUSTERS HomePage
http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org/HoaxBustersHome.html
FOR THE JAZZ LOVER
http://www.live365.com/stations/drhorner
Friday, May 12, 2006
KITTY GENOVESE
On March 13th, 1964, one of one of the most infamous crimes in American history occurred in the Kew Gardens neighborhood of Queens, New York. At around 3 AM, 28-year-old Catherine "Kitty" Genovese was attacked, sexually assaulted, and murdered as she walked from her parked car. The assault lasted thirty-five minutes and occurred outside of an apartment building where a reported 38 witnesses either heard or saw the attack and did nothing to stop it. A front-page article in the New York Times sparked an avalanche of press and weeks of national soul searching. The case has lived on in plays, musicals, TV dramas -- it even spawned a whole new branch of psychology. Today the name Kitty Genovese remains synonymous with public apathy.
On March 13th, 1964, one of one of the most infamous crimes in American history occurred in the Kew Gardens neighborhood of Queens, New York. At around 3 AM, 28-year-old Catherine "Kitty" Genovese was attacked, sexually assaulted, and murdered as she walked from her parked car. The assault lasted thirty-five minutes and occurred outside of an apartment building where a reported 38 witnesses either heard or saw the attack and did nothing to stop it. A front-page article in the New York Times sparked an avalanche of press and weeks of national soul searching. The case has lived on in plays, musicals, TV dramas -- it even spawned a whole new branch of psychology. Today the name Kitty Genovese remains synonymous with public apathy.
THE ITALIAN ANTIQUE POLICE
It seems in Italy they have an Antique Police Force. I don’t mean a police force consisting of older members, but an entire police force dedicated to preventing the theft and tracking of stolen ancient artifacts. Highlighted in a recent Wall Street Journal article written by Stephanie Gruner, the Carabinieri for the Protection of Cultural Patrimony is perhaps the largest armed force of its kind anywhere, and most surely the world’s most effective. There are over 300 of the country’s 120,000 carabinieri, in 11 offices from Venice to Palermo, leading the anti-looting and recovery efforts for this country’s antiquities.“Each morning a report arrives on the desk of Col. Giovanni Pastore, second in command of a military police unit charged with protecting Italy’s cultural patrimony. The few pages list everything from antique watches to Renaissance paintings that were either ripped off or recovered the day before. ”A recent report listed that “robbers entered a church in Ascoli Piceno and left with two ancient wood pews, the better for making fake antique furniture. A burglar at a church farther north in Novara had just enough time to break the wooden arm off of a baby Jesus, as it lay cradled in the arms of the Virgin Mary, before making an escape. Thieves stole a cache of marble statues from a family villa elsewhere. On a bright note, more than two dozen sculptures, antiques and paintings were recovered just one month after their theft from a villa outside Milan. ”These antiques gumshoes have become internationally well-regarded, and have served as experts and trainers in Iraq, Kosovo, Cuba and Peru. Representatives from countries such as Greece and Hungary have traveled to Italy to learn how these officers work. In an average week, carabinieri fly helicopters over archaeological sites taking aerial photographs to reveal illegal diggings. They go on offshore dives to prevent unauthorized underwater excavations. They also lecture at schools, universities and conferences “to convince Italians that looting and trafficking in their own cultural heritage isn’t just against the law, but against their own interests. Still other officers in their stylish black-and-red uniforms show up unannounced at antiques shops, auction houses and outdoor markets to videotape items for sale to match against the more than 2.5 million missing objects cataloged in the art squad’s vast database.”They don’t stop there. There are others searching through other databases that list sales at auction houses such as Sotheby’s and Christie’s, and also surfing the internet to find hot antiquities for sale. They also utilize wire-tapping, satellites, and other modern technological devices in their battle to track down stolen goods.What detective force would exist without its “sources of information” – paid and unpaid. Archaeologists, museum curators, and the anonymous source all contribute to their success. “Sometimes it’s a tombaroli with a grudge against a competitor who tips them off. Other times word arrives out of the blue – like the email received recently with a link to an auction on eBay, listing for sale an Etruscan urn missing since the summer of 2004. ”Between 1970 and 2005, according to the organization’s own figures, 845,838 objects were reported stolen, while less than a third of that number were recovered and only 4,159 arrests were made. In addition, according to Col. Pastore, the number of robberies at private properties has decreased from 673 in 2003 to 619 in 2005. This unit has also confiscated over 228,000 counterfeit works since 1970.Despite the odds, this unit is credited with doing an outstanding job.The quantity of potential targets is quite astounding. Italy has some 6,000 registered archaeological sites, 100,000 or so churches, more than 45,000 castles and gardens, and roughly 35,000 historic residences – not to mention thousands of miles of coastline, beneath which lie yet more buried treasure. All are potential targets.Some of the obstacles that arise include the issue that many of these valuabvles aren’t cordoned off behind ropes or protected by glass walls, much less watched around the clock by guards or cameras. “Italy is not a country of museums”, says a cultural ministry employee. “It’s a museum in itself, a large open-air museum.”Not surprisingly, funding is another issue that often stands in the way.Financing for cultural affairs have been drastically reduced by the government – by over 20% in just the past two years alone. While these cuts have hit protection efforts, it was also noted by the ministry official that “no matter how much money Italy has for art protection, preservation and anti-looting, it’s never enough.” Not only protecting the theft of these antique items from their Italian home, the unit spends a considerable amount of time fighting the demand for these objects overseas. In the United States alone, hundreds of museum pieces remain under dispute as to their rightful ownership.The squad’s operational headquarters, in Rome, houses the loot collected in their crime fighting efforts. A recent visit their showed art work from Picasso, Dali, Miros and a delicate Degas ballerina line up along the floor – all fakes. The seller applied for and got an export license for his “masterpieces” but they were stopped at the border – all counterfeit.
It seems in Italy they have an Antique Police Force. I don’t mean a police force consisting of older members, but an entire police force dedicated to preventing the theft and tracking of stolen ancient artifacts. Highlighted in a recent Wall Street Journal article written by Stephanie Gruner, the Carabinieri for the Protection of Cultural Patrimony is perhaps the largest armed force of its kind anywhere, and most surely the world’s most effective. There are over 300 of the country’s 120,000 carabinieri, in 11 offices from Venice to Palermo, leading the anti-looting and recovery efforts for this country’s antiquities.“Each morning a report arrives on the desk of Col. Giovanni Pastore, second in command of a military police unit charged with protecting Italy’s cultural patrimony. The few pages list everything from antique watches to Renaissance paintings that were either ripped off or recovered the day before. ”A recent report listed that “robbers entered a church in Ascoli Piceno and left with two ancient wood pews, the better for making fake antique furniture. A burglar at a church farther north in Novara had just enough time to break the wooden arm off of a baby Jesus, as it lay cradled in the arms of the Virgin Mary, before making an escape. Thieves stole a cache of marble statues from a family villa elsewhere. On a bright note, more than two dozen sculptures, antiques and paintings were recovered just one month after their theft from a villa outside Milan. ”These antiques gumshoes have become internationally well-regarded, and have served as experts and trainers in Iraq, Kosovo, Cuba and Peru. Representatives from countries such as Greece and Hungary have traveled to Italy to learn how these officers work. In an average week, carabinieri fly helicopters over archaeological sites taking aerial photographs to reveal illegal diggings. They go on offshore dives to prevent unauthorized underwater excavations. They also lecture at schools, universities and conferences “to convince Italians that looting and trafficking in their own cultural heritage isn’t just against the law, but against their own interests. Still other officers in their stylish black-and-red uniforms show up unannounced at antiques shops, auction houses and outdoor markets to videotape items for sale to match against the more than 2.5 million missing objects cataloged in the art squad’s vast database.”They don’t stop there. There are others searching through other databases that list sales at auction houses such as Sotheby’s and Christie’s, and also surfing the internet to find hot antiquities for sale. They also utilize wire-tapping, satellites, and other modern technological devices in their battle to track down stolen goods.What detective force would exist without its “sources of information” – paid and unpaid. Archaeologists, museum curators, and the anonymous source all contribute to their success. “Sometimes it’s a tombaroli with a grudge against a competitor who tips them off. Other times word arrives out of the blue – like the email received recently with a link to an auction on eBay, listing for sale an Etruscan urn missing since the summer of 2004. ”Between 1970 and 2005, according to the organization’s own figures, 845,838 objects were reported stolen, while less than a third of that number were recovered and only 4,159 arrests were made. In addition, according to Col. Pastore, the number of robberies at private properties has decreased from 673 in 2003 to 619 in 2005. This unit has also confiscated over 228,000 counterfeit works since 1970.Despite the odds, this unit is credited with doing an outstanding job.The quantity of potential targets is quite astounding. Italy has some 6,000 registered archaeological sites, 100,000 or so churches, more than 45,000 castles and gardens, and roughly 35,000 historic residences – not to mention thousands of miles of coastline, beneath which lie yet more buried treasure. All are potential targets.Some of the obstacles that arise include the issue that many of these valuabvles aren’t cordoned off behind ropes or protected by glass walls, much less watched around the clock by guards or cameras. “Italy is not a country of museums”, says a cultural ministry employee. “It’s a museum in itself, a large open-air museum.”Not surprisingly, funding is another issue that often stands in the way.Financing for cultural affairs have been drastically reduced by the government – by over 20% in just the past two years alone. While these cuts have hit protection efforts, it was also noted by the ministry official that “no matter how much money Italy has for art protection, preservation and anti-looting, it’s never enough.” Not only protecting the theft of these antique items from their Italian home, the unit spends a considerable amount of time fighting the demand for these objects overseas. In the United States alone, hundreds of museum pieces remain under dispute as to their rightful ownership.The squad’s operational headquarters, in Rome, houses the loot collected in their crime fighting efforts. A recent visit their showed art work from Picasso, Dali, Miros and a delicate Degas ballerina line up along the floor – all fakes. The seller applied for and got an export license for his “masterpieces” but they were stopped at the border – all counterfeit.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
INTERESTING WEB SITE
Check out this site that allows you to generate a police sketch (well...sort of):
http://flashface.ctapt.de/
Check out this site that allows you to generate a police sketch (well...sort of):
http://flashface.ctapt.de/
THE DETECTIVES FORTE: TALKING TO PEOPLE
A detective must be good at talking to people – all kinds of people. Complainants, witnesses, victim’s family, and suspects who we require a statement from.
In a recent book written by Professor Robert Jackle, titled “Street Stories” (which has been highlighted on this site previously), Giorgio provides his keys for interrogation. It is certainly worth posting here."Detective Gennaro Giorgio (NYPD Ret.), dressed to the nines and with his customary aplomb, testified about his cat-and-mouse interviews and conversations with (a suspect). Giorgio’s rules for interrogation are simple and straight forward:
"Know the case from beginning to end, down to the smallest detail. Specific knowledge is the key to successful interrogation. Listen patiently to suspects. Never confront them in an accusatory way. At first, write nothing, taking in everything a suspect says without challenge. Then go back over the suspect’s statement, writing it out carefully. Read it back to the suspect and have him sign it. Lock suspects into their statements, whether true or false. Then key in on inconsistencies in the statements or on aspects of the statements one knows independently to be false. Make careful notes of casual conversations with suspects. Sometimes suspects blurt out damning statements spontaneously at off-guard moments. Observe the suspect’s demeanor carefully during the interview, especially when he is telling known lies. Make a mental note of any behavioral patterns that regularly accompany the known lies, such as facial tics, hand rubbing, head touching, turning away, licking lips, or displays of anger. Point out the lies without, at first, letting the suspect know how one knows he is lying. Ask the suspect why he is lying. Then point out some piece of actual evidence that contradicts his story. Insistently but quietly demand an explanation for the discrepancy. If none is forthcoming, move on to the next discrepancy. If one has no tangible evidence on hand, use dodges, ruses, or tricks to elicit statements from suspects. At a certain point, offer the suspect an out—a plausible explanation, justification, or excuse for his depredation, suppressing all personal moral revulsion and clearly indicating that one understands and indeed empathizes with such a motive or account. In short, let suspects convict themselves with their own words. Denials of guilt are as useful legally as admissions or confessions if one has independent evidence to undermine the denials and thus the suspect’s credibility before a jury.
A detective must be good at talking to people – all kinds of people. Complainants, witnesses, victim’s family, and suspects who we require a statement from.
In a recent book written by Professor Robert Jackle, titled “Street Stories” (which has been highlighted on this site previously), Giorgio provides his keys for interrogation. It is certainly worth posting here."Detective Gennaro Giorgio (NYPD Ret.), dressed to the nines and with his customary aplomb, testified about his cat-and-mouse interviews and conversations with (a suspect). Giorgio’s rules for interrogation are simple and straight forward:
"Know the case from beginning to end, down to the smallest detail. Specific knowledge is the key to successful interrogation. Listen patiently to suspects. Never confront them in an accusatory way. At first, write nothing, taking in everything a suspect says without challenge. Then go back over the suspect’s statement, writing it out carefully. Read it back to the suspect and have him sign it. Lock suspects into their statements, whether true or false. Then key in on inconsistencies in the statements or on aspects of the statements one knows independently to be false. Make careful notes of casual conversations with suspects. Sometimes suspects blurt out damning statements spontaneously at off-guard moments. Observe the suspect’s demeanor carefully during the interview, especially when he is telling known lies. Make a mental note of any behavioral patterns that regularly accompany the known lies, such as facial tics, hand rubbing, head touching, turning away, licking lips, or displays of anger. Point out the lies without, at first, letting the suspect know how one knows he is lying. Ask the suspect why he is lying. Then point out some piece of actual evidence that contradicts his story. Insistently but quietly demand an explanation for the discrepancy. If none is forthcoming, move on to the next discrepancy. If one has no tangible evidence on hand, use dodges, ruses, or tricks to elicit statements from suspects. At a certain point, offer the suspect an out—a plausible explanation, justification, or excuse for his depredation, suppressing all personal moral revulsion and clearly indicating that one understands and indeed empathizes with such a motive or account. In short, let suspects convict themselves with their own words. Denials of guilt are as useful legally as admissions or confessions if one has independent evidence to undermine the denials and thus the suspect’s credibility before a jury.
Friday, April 28, 2006
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AID
For everyone who has ever had an evaluation - just remember, it could have been worse. These are actual quotes taken from Federal Government employee performance evaluations.
"Since my last report, this employee has reached rock-bottom and has started to dig."
"Works well when under constant supervision and cornered like a rat in a trap."
"When she opens her mouth, it seems that it is only to change feet."
"This young lady has delusions of adequacy."
"He sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them."
"This employee is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot."
"This employee should go far, and the sooner he starts, the better."
"He doesn't have ulcers, but he's a carrier."
"He brings a lot of joy whenever he leaves the room."
For everyone who has ever had an evaluation - just remember, it could have been worse. These are actual quotes taken from Federal Government employee performance evaluations.
"Since my last report, this employee has reached rock-bottom and has started to dig."
"Works well when under constant supervision and cornered like a rat in a trap."
"When she opens her mouth, it seems that it is only to change feet."
"This young lady has delusions of adequacy."
"He sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them."
"This employee is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot."
"This employee should go far, and the sooner he starts, the better."
"He doesn't have ulcers, but he's a carrier."
"He brings a lot of joy whenever he leaves the room."
YOU CAN’T MAKE THIS STUFF UP
The following are excerpts from actual investigative supplemental reports.
“We went to the door looking for the perp. We knocked, there was no answer. We knocked hard, then we knocked really really hard. There was still no answer”.
“I spoke to the doctor in the hospital. He said the victim’s condition was very very bad.”
“The witness stated she could not identify the perp, but that she would be able to identify the dog. Because we have no photos of dogs for an array request this case be closed.”
The following are excerpts from actual investigative supplemental reports.
“We went to the door looking for the perp. We knocked, there was no answer. We knocked hard, then we knocked really really hard. There was still no answer”.
“I spoke to the doctor in the hospital. He said the victim’s condition was very very bad.”
“The witness stated she could not identify the perp, but that she would be able to identify the dog. Because we have no photos of dogs for an array request this case be closed.”
COMMON RESUME MISTAKES TO AVOID
"Education: Curses in liberal arts, curses in computer science, curses in accounting."
"Instrumental in ruining entire operation for a Midwest chain store."
"Personal: Married, 1992 Chevrolet."
"I have an excellent track record, although I am not a horse."
"Exposure to German for two years, but many words are not appropriate for business."
"Proven ability to track down and correct erors."
"Personal interests: Donating blood. 15 gallons so far."
"I have become completely paranoid, trusting completely nothing and absolutely no one."
"References: None, I've left a path of destruction behind me."
"Strengths: Ability to meet deadlines while maintaining composer."
"Education: Curses in liberal arts, curses in computer science, curses in accounting."
"Instrumental in ruining entire operation for a Midwest chain store."
"Personal: Married, 1992 Chevrolet."
"I have an excellent track record, although I am not a horse."
"Exposure to German for two years, but many words are not appropriate for business."
"Proven ability to track down and correct erors."
"Personal interests: Donating blood. 15 gallons so far."
"I have become completely paranoid, trusting completely nothing and absolutely no one."
"References: None, I've left a path of destruction behind me."
"Strengths: Ability to meet deadlines while maintaining composer."
Monday, April 17, 2006
Say What...?
Some of these I may have printed on this site in the past – but nevertheless, they are certainly worth repeating. Keep in mind that these are actual quotes – some from complainants, witnesses, prisoner debriefings – and many from other Detectives! Enjoy!
“That’s putting the horse before the cart”
“If you don’t like the smell of Ben-Gay, try using the senseless kind”
“I got a mind brain headache (migraine headache)”
“He’s like a bull in a china closet”
“Behind every cloud is a silver platter”
“Go through everything with a fine toothbrush”
“Too many fires on the iron”
“We’re all making some shingles” (shekels)
“Let’s shake some feathers, or ruffle the trees”
“What time was the pronunciation”? (pronouncement of death)
“He’s in a seduced (induced) coma”
“I want her arrested, she kicked me in my test cycles (testicles)”
“She’s my wife-in-law” (common law wife)
“The statue of liberties (statute of limitations) passed on that charge”
“I’m an oppartunour.” (entrepreneur)
“I don’t speak English, I speak American”.
“I’m no criminal, I’m on parole”.
“I shot in self defense, I’m a defendant”.
“He don’t drink, he has sore roses (cirrhosis) of the liver”.
“She speaks English and Spanish, she’s bilateral”. (bilingual)
“I took one of those elastic altitude (scholastic aptitude) tests when I was upstate”.
“Can I play solitary on the computer on my break?” (solitaire)
“He’s got Al’s-Hammer (Alzheimer’s) disease”
“It was one of those 2 lebonese girls that live down the street”. (Lesbian)
“I got minstrel (menstrual) pain”.
“The bullet went in my thigh and missed my tentacles (testicles)”.
“The doctor said he got trouble with his veins from flea bites (phlebitis)”.
“The Arabs got biodegradable weapons.” (Biological weapons)
“He’s not a Baptist, he’s an Episcopal Alien”.
“I had a depraved (deprived) childhood”.
“I got an upper repository (respiratory) infection”.
Sign on a car repair shop: “We Fix Automated Transitions”
“He can’t come to work. He has conductors eye sores”. (Conjunctivitis)
“Somebody has to come here to sign the affa-davis”. (affidavit)
“You know, that Ornamental (Oriental) Chinese looking guy down the block”
“That’s one of them bomb dogs, it’s a Laboratory Receiver.” (Labrador Retriever)
"The fatal injury was repaired at St. Mary's and she is recovering"
Some of these I may have printed on this site in the past – but nevertheless, they are certainly worth repeating. Keep in mind that these are actual quotes – some from complainants, witnesses, prisoner debriefings – and many from other Detectives! Enjoy!
“That’s putting the horse before the cart”
“If you don’t like the smell of Ben-Gay, try using the senseless kind”
“I got a mind brain headache (migraine headache)”
“He’s like a bull in a china closet”
“Behind every cloud is a silver platter”
“Go through everything with a fine toothbrush”
“Too many fires on the iron”
“We’re all making some shingles” (shekels)
“Let’s shake some feathers, or ruffle the trees”
“What time was the pronunciation”? (pronouncement of death)
“He’s in a seduced (induced) coma”
“I want her arrested, she kicked me in my test cycles (testicles)”
“She’s my wife-in-law” (common law wife)
“The statue of liberties (statute of limitations) passed on that charge”
“I’m an oppartunour.” (entrepreneur)
“I don’t speak English, I speak American”.
“I’m no criminal, I’m on parole”.
“I shot in self defense, I’m a defendant”.
“He don’t drink, he has sore roses (cirrhosis) of the liver”.
“She speaks English and Spanish, she’s bilateral”. (bilingual)
“I took one of those elastic altitude (scholastic aptitude) tests when I was upstate”.
“Can I play solitary on the computer on my break?” (solitaire)
“He’s got Al’s-Hammer (Alzheimer’s) disease”
“It was one of those 2 lebonese girls that live down the street”. (Lesbian)
“I got minstrel (menstrual) pain”.
“The bullet went in my thigh and missed my tentacles (testicles)”.
“The doctor said he got trouble with his veins from flea bites (phlebitis)”.
“The Arabs got biodegradable weapons.” (Biological weapons)
“He’s not a Baptist, he’s an Episcopal Alien”.
“I had a depraved (deprived) childhood”.
“I got an upper repository (respiratory) infection”.
Sign on a car repair shop: “We Fix Automated Transitions”
“He can’t come to work. He has conductors eye sores”. (Conjunctivitis)
“Somebody has to come here to sign the affa-davis”. (affidavit)
“You know, that Ornamental (Oriental) Chinese looking guy down the block”
“That’s one of them bomb dogs, it’s a Laboratory Receiver.” (Labrador Retriever)
"The fatal injury was repaired at St. Mary's and she is recovering"
Saturday, April 01, 2006
ANALYTICAL LINGUISTICS
(WHAT DID HE SAY?) A person who doesn’t have anything to conceal will generally recall events chronologically and in a concise manner. Those who are involved in crimes often feel the need to justify their actions. Their statements won’t follow a logical, chronological time frame or may avoid what really happened. They may also include extraneous information in their statements, information that’s not necessary to tell the story.
And, yes, they’ll probably fall asleep when left alone in the holding cell.
(WHAT DID HE SAY?) A person who doesn’t have anything to conceal will generally recall events chronologically and in a concise manner. Those who are involved in crimes often feel the need to justify their actions. Their statements won’t follow a logical, chronological time frame or may avoid what really happened. They may also include extraneous information in their statements, information that’s not necessary to tell the story.
And, yes, they’ll probably fall asleep when left alone in the holding cell.
BASIC CRIME SCENE REMINDERS
Upon arrival at the scene, don’t touch anything. Observe, Describe, and Record what you see. Your description should enable someone reading it months later to get the feel of what the scene looked like to the arriving investigator. Remember such details as lighting, weather, smell, etc. Be sure in recording your description of your observations at the scene that you are writing what you see, and not what you think you see (do NOT interpret).
Upon arrival at the scene, don’t touch anything. Observe, Describe, and Record what you see. Your description should enable someone reading it months later to get the feel of what the scene looked like to the arriving investigator. Remember such details as lighting, weather, smell, etc. Be sure in recording your description of your observations at the scene that you are writing what you see, and not what you think you see (do NOT interpret).
FOR THE INVESTIGATORS KNOWLEDGE
The Medical Examiner is tasked with determining the cause and manner of death. What’s the difference? Cause is a medical distinction. Some examples of a cause of death would be “blunt force trauma”, or “strangulation”, etc. Manner of death is a legal distinction. Manner of death include homicide, accidental, and suicide.
The Medical Examiner is tasked with determining the cause and manner of death. What’s the difference? Cause is a medical distinction. Some examples of a cause of death would be “blunt force trauma”, or “strangulation”, etc. Manner of death is a legal distinction. Manner of death include homicide, accidental, and suicide.
FREE 411
Free directory assistance and long distance dialing? There is a new company that provides free directory assistance and long distance calling when connecting through their directory assistance. The new service, at 1-800-FREE411, could make paying for directory assistance a thing of the past. Too good to be true? Not as long as your willing to sit through a 10-second ad. The service is funded not by consumers paying to access it, as the conventional directory assistance is, but by companies that pay to have callers hear their ads while they wait for listings. You can check out their web site at www.free411.com.
Free directory assistance and long distance dialing? There is a new company that provides free directory assistance and long distance calling when connecting through their directory assistance. The new service, at 1-800-FREE411, could make paying for directory assistance a thing of the past. Too good to be true? Not as long as your willing to sit through a 10-second ad. The service is funded not by consumers paying to access it, as the conventional directory assistance is, but by companies that pay to have callers hear their ads while they wait for listings. You can check out their web site at www.free411.com.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
“COME IN DICK TRACY”
Remember the old Dick Tracy cartoons? Remember Dick Tracy’s wristwatch that he used to call for assistance? Well, it’s here. There is a digital voice recorder that also functions as an MP3 player – and a wrist watch! The fully functional watch is also a media player with 256MB flash memory built in which will allow you to record up to 9 hours of voice recording, as well as download MP3 music files. You can play back the recording with an easy USB plug and play, or play back via stereo headphones or window media player. Available for $189.95 at www.PIgear.com Imagine the investigative potential of recording a conversation from a wristwatch?
Remember the old Dick Tracy cartoons? Remember Dick Tracy’s wristwatch that he used to call for assistance? Well, it’s here. There is a digital voice recorder that also functions as an MP3 player – and a wrist watch! The fully functional watch is also a media player with 256MB flash memory built in which will allow you to record up to 9 hours of voice recording, as well as download MP3 music files. You can play back the recording with an easy USB plug and play, or play back via stereo headphones or window media player. Available for $189.95 at www.PIgear.com Imagine the investigative potential of recording a conversation from a wristwatch?
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
NOTE: CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE
As I have written in the past, many of the postings here should be credited to the writer of another Blog; Brooklynnorth. He is a Detective Commander and obviously a very knowledgable fellow, Lt. John Cornicello NYPD. Without his experience, knowledge and sense of humor this Blog would certainly be less than it is.
As I have written in the past, many of the postings here should be credited to the writer of another Blog; Brooklynnorth. He is a Detective Commander and obviously a very knowledgable fellow, Lt. John Cornicello NYPD. Without his experience, knowledge and sense of humor this Blog would certainly be less than it is.
WHERE DID THAT CAR COME FROM
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) has created an online database consiting of motor vehicles or boats affected by Huricanes Katrina and Rita for the public to search in an effort to protect them from fraudulent sellers. The online data is made available to law enforcement, state fraud bureaus, insurance companies and state departments of motor vehicles. The NICB is also making the data available to the general public to help protect buyers against fraud. Effective immediately, anyone can log on to www.nicb.org and query a suspected VIN free of charge, against the regularly updated database to find out if there is a match. For more information on NICB and disaster fraud, visit their web site. You can also call 1-800-TEL-NICB.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) has created an online database consiting of motor vehicles or boats affected by Huricanes Katrina and Rita for the public to search in an effort to protect them from fraudulent sellers. The online data is made available to law enforcement, state fraud bureaus, insurance companies and state departments of motor vehicles. The NICB is also making the data available to the general public to help protect buyers against fraud. Effective immediately, anyone can log on to www.nicb.org and query a suspected VIN free of charge, against the regularly updated database to find out if there is a match. For more information on NICB and disaster fraud, visit their web site. You can also call 1-800-TEL-NICB.
YOU CAN’T MAKE THIS STUFF UP
Here are some excerpts of actual conversations heard in and around Squad rooms. Some during interviews, some by… detectives?
They were all conversating.
We conversated telephonically.
They were living domesticatarly.
They’re habitating.
Seeking the location of his whereabouts.
He was of Jamaican assessment.
Seeking to identify his identification.
Identified a pattern of unrelated crimes.
He was wearing a multi-colored white t-shirt.
He is known to congregate by himself.
The eyewitness is blind and didn’t see anything.
They went into a feet pursuit.
He has numerical arrests on his rap sheet.
The bus driver was working off duty at the time.
The information was received from an anonymous CI.
His sister states she was not related to her brother.
The suspicious package was examined and determined to be not suspicious.
The unarmed security guard fired 2 shots at the perp.
All the calls that day happened another day.
Here are some excerpts of actual conversations heard in and around Squad rooms. Some during interviews, some by… detectives?
They were all conversating.
We conversated telephonically.
They were living domesticatarly.
They’re habitating.
Seeking the location of his whereabouts.
He was of Jamaican assessment.
Seeking to identify his identification.
Identified a pattern of unrelated crimes.
He was wearing a multi-colored white t-shirt.
He is known to congregate by himself.
The eyewitness is blind and didn’t see anything.
They went into a feet pursuit.
He has numerical arrests on his rap sheet.
The bus driver was working off duty at the time.
The information was received from an anonymous CI.
His sister states she was not related to her brother.
The suspicious package was examined and determined to be not suspicious.
The unarmed security guard fired 2 shots at the perp.
All the calls that day happened another day.
ORGANIZE AND ASSOCIATE
There are a multitude of associations and organizations for investigators in the private sector. Some organized by specialty, others by geographic area. Here’s a listing of some of the more unusual.
There is a European Council of Detectives. You can check their web site at:www.euro-detectives.org
The Professional Investigators and Security AssociationBased in Charlottesville, VA, they can be found at: www.pisa.gen.va.us
National Defender Investigator Association.www.ndia.net
National Association of Legal Investigators.This association represents private investigators who conduct work for the defense. They also have a national accreditation program.www.NALI.com
The Council of International Investigators, headquartered in Singapore.www.cii2.ord
World Association of Detectives. This international group hosts an annual convention that brings detectives from… all over the world (where else?)! Claim to be the largest and oldest association of its kind in the world.www.wad.net
There are a multitude of associations and organizations for investigators in the private sector. Some organized by specialty, others by geographic area. Here’s a listing of some of the more unusual.
There is a European Council of Detectives. You can check their web site at:www.euro-detectives.org
The Professional Investigators and Security AssociationBased in Charlottesville, VA, they can be found at: www.pisa.gen.va.us
National Defender Investigator Association.www.ndia.net
National Association of Legal Investigators.This association represents private investigators who conduct work for the defense. They also have a national accreditation program.www.NALI.com
The Council of International Investigators, headquartered in Singapore.www.cii2.ord
World Association of Detectives. This international group hosts an annual convention that brings detectives from… all over the world (where else?)! Claim to be the largest and oldest association of its kind in the world.www.wad.net
THE CSI EFFECT
Prosecutors and defense attorneys are facing the "CSI Effect"-high expectations from jurors because of media glamorization of the criminal-justice system.
Jurors believe forensic evidence can be found at every crime scene and is always admissible in court.
They also believe that expert witnesses may not be credible and that crimes can be solved in less than an hour.
Jurors have the inability to tell real life from entertainment.
Movies and television shows like "CSI," which began in 2000, take liberties with what is scientifically accepted and expand it, Clifford Strider, a prosecuter in an Ohio District said.
"On 'CSI,' someone was found stabbed and they poured plaster in the knife wound to get an image to match to the knife," he said. "You can't do that. Skin is elastic and changes as soon as a knife is removed."
But men and women, often walking into a courtroom for the first time when they are called to jury duty, don't know that.
"Jurors say the reality of the courtroom is disappointing and the evidence is not as appealing as expected," Strider said.
Police and court shows have entertained since the advent of radio and "Mr. District Attorney - the champion of people and defender of truth," Strider said.
But the three television networks available in those early days have ballooned to more than 100, with dozens of crime and court shows, 24-hour news coverage, trials of the century and re-enactments of major cases. Strider said people believe all police departments have helicopters, multiple criminal investigators and evidence that can be analyzed in hours.
When they get on a jury, they wonder why the evidence is not there.
"I think it is good for jurors to be demanding and expect proof beyond a reasonable doubt, but I think there are cases where the jury is out of control and gets angry," said Mark Godsey, a University of Cincinnati associate professor of law who directs the Ohio Innocence Project, which seeks to overturn wrongful convictions.
Godsey, a former federal prosecutor, said jurors should not expect DNA testing in a $100 theft.
"Hello - we are not actually 'CSI,' and the government and taxpayers are not putting those resources into every case," he said.
Partially Reprinted from Policeone
Prosecutors and defense attorneys are facing the "CSI Effect"-high expectations from jurors because of media glamorization of the criminal-justice system.
Jurors believe forensic evidence can be found at every crime scene and is always admissible in court.
They also believe that expert witnesses may not be credible and that crimes can be solved in less than an hour.
Jurors have the inability to tell real life from entertainment.
Movies and television shows like "CSI," which began in 2000, take liberties with what is scientifically accepted and expand it, Clifford Strider, a prosecuter in an Ohio District said.
"On 'CSI,' someone was found stabbed and they poured plaster in the knife wound to get an image to match to the knife," he said. "You can't do that. Skin is elastic and changes as soon as a knife is removed."
But men and women, often walking into a courtroom for the first time when they are called to jury duty, don't know that.
"Jurors say the reality of the courtroom is disappointing and the evidence is not as appealing as expected," Strider said.
Police and court shows have entertained since the advent of radio and "Mr. District Attorney - the champion of people and defender of truth," Strider said.
But the three television networks available in those early days have ballooned to more than 100, with dozens of crime and court shows, 24-hour news coverage, trials of the century and re-enactments of major cases. Strider said people believe all police departments have helicopters, multiple criminal investigators and evidence that can be analyzed in hours.
When they get on a jury, they wonder why the evidence is not there.
"I think it is good for jurors to be demanding and expect proof beyond a reasonable doubt, but I think there are cases where the jury is out of control and gets angry," said Mark Godsey, a University of Cincinnati associate professor of law who directs the Ohio Innocence Project, which seeks to overturn wrongful convictions.
Godsey, a former federal prosecutor, said jurors should not expect DNA testing in a $100 theft.
"Hello - we are not actually 'CSI,' and the government and taxpayers are not putting those resources into every case," he said.
Partially Reprinted from Policeone
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