Expert: Jack Toomey - 4/8/2010

Question
Hi there. I'm currently working on a writing project and would appreciate any help that you might offer.
The plot revolves around the abduction of a young woman. I had a few questions regarding police/FBI procedures. In this case, there is obvious evidence that she has been taken against her will. The reason for her abduction is to use her to find her ex-husband (who has gone dark after a messed up encounter with a drug gang)- human ransom if you will. A message to that effect is left at the crime scene so the police responding know that she was taken against her will. As well there are subsequent phone calls from her abductor. Other relevant info: crime takes place in Burke, Virginia (within the jurisdiction of the Springfield office of the Fairfax County Police); the person she was staying with at the time of the abduction was a former officer with that department and so has personal relationships with some of the officers/detectives; the women is taken over state line, however, the police don't know this for a fact.

My questions are as follows:
Can detectives request a certain case (ie: at the request of a former partner)?
What are the procedures involving FBI involvement in adult abductions? Is it at the discretion of the police officers and if so how likely would it be that they would request assistance on this kind of a case?
Who would set up phone taps to receive calls from abductor and would an officer/agent stay on site to monitor incoming calls?

Thanks in advance for your assistance. It is truly appreciated.

TM

Answer
Detectives can ask to be assigned to certain cases but in your scenario with the detective being so close to the people in the case he would be conflicted and would not be allowed to work on the case.

The FBI would probably take over the case since federal law has been broken (kidnapping for ransom and taking a victim across a state line).  The Fairfax County police would offer to be of assistance to the FBI.

It depends who would set up the phone surveillance.  If Fairfax can do it quickly then the FBI would not argue with them.  Some law enforcement officer/agent would be in a place to monitor all incoming calls.  Its a tossup whether it would be the FBI or the police or maybe they would take turns.