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Careers: Police/Needing expertise opinion.

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Expert: - 4/24/2010


Question
Dear Mr Jack Toomey,
Can you help me please?
I need some advise. I am writing a fiction crime novel, but I am stuck. In my novel, a woman has been shot in the head with a silencer. How would a Homicide detective investigate?
I am having trouble thinking what evidence would be needed to catch the killer. The only thing I could think of is DNA from a strand of hair...
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
From
Michelle

Answer
Michelle,

I am guessing that you mean that the woman was shot in the head with gun that was equipped with a silencer?  

Hair, fingerprints from a shell casing (if it was an automatic, the bullet which can be traced to a specific gun, trace evidence from suspect to victim contact (if there was any), and fingerprints around the house (if the scene is inside a house) are all potential pieces of evidence.

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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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