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Expert: - 4/9/2005


Question
Hey, nto sure if I am asking the right person...I was wondering if you could answer a question for me. How much does it cost to have something dusted for fingerprints and all that. I recently had a couple hundred dollars stolen out of my wallet at someone's house and we know it was one of 3 people who did it. I would be willing to pay for the test myself 9it's the principle of the thing) if I could afford it. But i didn't think this was something the cops would waste their time taking fingerprints, which i fully understand. I just figured that would probably be the only way we would know who the thief is (it was my boyfriend's house and he too wants to know who the thief is). And seeings how I'm the only one who ever touches my wallet, the only other fingerprints on there will be the person who took the money. Anything you know about the cost or how to go about doing this would be very helpful. Thanks:-)
Amber

Answer
Hello Amber,

    What you should have done is to call the police right away.  I am guessing that some time has gone by now so any fingerprints that would have been avaialable have now been obliterated unless you immediately put the wallet in a secure place and did not touch it or use it.

    But lets think about your question.  Who would be competent enough to dust for latent fingerprints except for a police officer?  Its not like there are people in the phone book who do this.  And let's say that there would be someone who was able to dust your wallet for fingerprints.  Who then would be available to read them and compare them against the prints of the people that you suspect?  And who would take the prints of the suspects?  You are probably seeing where I am going with this.  The police are the only ones who are able to lift prints, compare them, read them, and get known prints from suspects.

   So my advice would be to call the police.  You don't always need fingerprints to prove a case.

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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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