Expert: Loren Stevens - 12/29/2007

Question
Loren-  I'm helping a friend do some research for a crime drama, and want to be sure law enforcement personal and procedures are represented fairly and accurately.  In a nutshell -  a dangerous fugitive contacts the protagonist via cell phone.  He, in turn, calls the detectives in charge of the case. Question: do the police respond immediately? Do they interview the protagonist at his apartment, or set something up for the next morning at the station? Would the police want all his phone records? What technology would be used to hone in on the location of the fugitive next time he calls?  Any guidance at all would be appreciated.  Thanks, and Be Excellent! ~Adam

Answer
Hello Adam,
"Dangerous" can mean different things to different people. And, so can "fugitive". If he is wanted for something like murder, armed robbery, kidnap/extortion, violent sexual assault et al, you'll have the police' attention. The difference being, given limited resources, the police need to prioritize their action. It's like trying to get a gallon of water in a pint jar...every day.
The kind of "fugitive" also matters. If it's an active fresh warrant would be one requiring immediate attention. If it is merely an FTA (failure to appear) warrant, it tends to enjoy not as much immediacy....but still actionable.
Now then, much depends on the nature of what was uttered. Is your protagonist a co-principal, associate, prior victim et al. Then, what is the likelihood of more calls...what would suggest more calls. Is this the first time your protagonist has heard from the suspect? what is their relationship etc.
How does the complainant describe their relationship? How contemporary is their relationship? How is it the suspect has the complainants number? Does the complainant have knowledge or reason to believe the fugitive also knows where he lives..works...habits etc? If there is reason to believe or even suspect the complainants res or place of employment is being watched by the fugitive, or possibly other confederates, it may not be wise for police to go there. Generally, first responders for police are in uniform. They are also considered as preliminary investigators, gathering as much detail that is practical. Then, they yield to follow-up investigators to take the case to a conclusion.
On a "hot" call, the Dets may just opt to jump in from the get-go...their call.
he police will do a detailed interview of the complainant, and unbeknownst to the complainant, they'll also do a cursory review on him/her. This is done for background.
Ultimately, they need to determine the purpose of the call....what did he want, and why did he call you to fulfill those wants???
They will need to determine how expansive the surveillance will have to go...work, school, habits, social life etc.
There is a cost-effective reality to consider, weighed against the nature of the initiative.
The urgency of the police interview depends on the nature of the case in chief, coupled with how bad the fugitive is wanted by the government.
To get the prior phone activity records is a mere matter of getting a subpoena to the phone company indicating with particularity that which is being sought.
Next, the Dets would craft an affidavit in support of an application for court order for limited telephone intercept. This would be for a "trap/trace" same apparatus, that performs both services. A trap records incoming call data. A trace records out going calls.  Some jurisdictions refer to this as a "pen register and phone trap". The machine has a switch that when turned on, it is either on DIGITAL, or AUDIO. And, there is a printout on how it's run, to avoid games. For digital, you don't need as much PC (probable cause) to satisfy a court order. On AUDIO, ie a wire tap, or sometimes called a T-3 (title 3 fed code)For a court to approve this, you'll need a bunch of relevant details.
If a moving surveillance develops, then you get into electronic bird-dogs...transmitters.
If you can stay away from a wire tap, you can avoid a giant pain in the ass concerning the legal details.
Depending how your saga unfolds, will determine what else would be required.
I'm kind of dancing in the dark beyond this, as I don't know here you are going beyond the calls.
Hope this gives you enough to proceed for now.
Good Luck,and regards.
loren