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Careers: Police/Question for a screen writer

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Expert: - 1/10/2010


Question
I'm working out the plot for a script, but need little help.

Local newspaper receives a letter which includes a list of names, and the threat that if the list wasn't printed in the paper then people would start dying.  

What basic steps would the police need to take after getting involved?

Also let's say that no return address or prints were found on the envelop or letter itself.

Thanks for any help.  

Answer
Since the situation involves the U.S. Mail then the Postal Inspectors Office would be involved.  

If there is no return address or fingerprints I am not sure what they could do.  Assuming that the letter went through a large mail processing center its doubtful that either the police or postal inspector could trace it to a certain mailbox or wherever it was mailed.

I think about the only thing that the police could do would be to look at the usual nut cases in the area and see if anyone had sent anonymous  letters before.  If so then the handwriting could be analyzed.

To be honest if this is all that there is;  an anonymous letter demanding that names be printed in the paper, I doubt if it would be taken too seriously.  Newspapers and police stations get weird communications all of the time from mentally ill people.


I should have added that if it was an email that was received it would allow the police to jump right in and trace it to where it came from.

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Jack Toomey

Expertise

U.S.: I am an expert in this category for the purpose of giving young people an idea what the hiring process involves for the position of police officer. I am getting a flood of questions from young people who are being influenced by unrealistic television shows. I'd ask you to consider that when you watch police shows on television that they are NOT realistic and most of what you see does not happen in real life. Please do not ask me about potential jail sentences that you, your friends, or family might receive in court. There is no way for me to know that. I am NOT a probation officer so I cannot answer questions about probation and parole matters. I am a retired police officer with 26 years experience.I worked in a variety of assignments including investigations, homicide, sex crimes, runaway investigations, missing persons, and fraud.I also dealt with the general public during that time giving a wide range of advice on matters such as domestic disputes, problem solving, teenage problems, civil/criminal matters, and dealing with the mentally ill. I am available to give sound and reasonable advice which can solve most problems. Please do not ask me to do homework questions or online interviews. Young people should not rely on the Internet for interviews. Local police officers are normally very agreeable to assist students with interviews and surveys.

Experience

Worked as a police officer/detective for 26 years.

Graduate of the University of Maryland.B.S. in Law Enforcement.Attended numerous schools and training courses involving investigations, interviewing, interrogations, crime detection, domestic violence, and others. Recognized in court as an expert witness.

Received numerous awards during my police career for expert investigations. Handled the most sensitive and confidential investigations. In 1999 I won an award for my work with high school students while working in my new career in a large suburban high school.

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