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Careers: Police/Kidnaping investigation procedural

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Expert: - 7/10/2005


Question
Dear sir,

I am planning to write a novel dealing with a kidnapping of a ten year old girl. I would like to know what is the police procedual for investgating this king of crime? What are the kinds of questions investigators ask the parents of a kidnapped child, and what is the logic behind those questions? How long does an investigation with no leads go on until the case is deemed "unsolved"?

Thank you for your response,

Stephen  

Answer
Stephen,

   You are asking a difficult question because there is no nationwide standard way to handle any particular kind of case.  I don't want to trivialize your question but it's like asking me how a 7-11 clerk in California would handle the sale of a soda vs a clerk in New York.  What might happen in one city or state might not happen in another.

  I would imagine that sometime in the first few minutes the police would ask the parents when the last time they saw the child, what was she wearing, any physical disablilities, etc.  From there it depends on a hundred variables and I would have to be there to get a feel for the parents and the case before I would formulate my questions.

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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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