Expert: Dick Rogers - 11/13/2006

Question
Hi, I'm an author writing a sci-fi novel where a police officer investigates a massacre at a local nightclub. In this massacre, there are only two survivors covered in the victim's blood, would these survivors be treated as suspects? and if so, what kind of interrogation methods could be used to turn one against the other? This is a massive source of writer's block for me, and a response would save me a huge headache with this novel. Thanks
                                              -Fox

Answer
Fox, you don't give me a lot to work with.  If there are two survivors covered in blood, much would have to depend on other items of potential evidence.  Were they injured in any way that would be consistent with them (or one of them) being involved in the slaying of the others?  In order to turn one against the other, you have to build a scenario where it appears the choice to help the detectives would be of immense benefit to the person, i.e. being charged witha lesser crime for assisting in the case. If they were the only two remaining under the conditions you described, how did they become covered in blood.  There are many techniques in determing placement of people, atcivities during the killings, etc. that could be applied in your story.  For example, if some of the victims were severely bludgeoned over the head with a heavy object there would be minute traces of micronized blood (barely seen by the naked eye)on clothing, mirrors, doors, etc., which could be used to determine where someone was standing, or, if one of your survivors had an item of clothing hanging somewhere in the club (over a chair) and traces of one victims blood could be found in minute traces on that item of clothing, it would set the stage for implicating that survivor...you can see where I'm headed with this...use your imagination.  Good luck.