Expert: Philip Sweeting - 11/8/2007

Question
Further to your very satisfactory answer received today I would like to know how quickly the local LAPD would contact the FBI re my kidnapping (in novel).    I had not realised that the FBI must be involved and so will have to redraft some chapters.    Would say two FBI agents be assigned to the local force and would they oversee the setting up of the telephones in home where the ransom is demanded? or would they have to take complete charge?

I  have a Deputy Chief and two senior detectives running my investigation.- - with lots of backup of course from the precinct involved.

Many thanks in advance Philip

Answer
They would contact the FBI immediately and the FBI would run the investigation with the assistance of the local authorities. They need the locals because they are familiar with the local area, etc. So they work together.

The FBI would have their own specialist/experts who are well trained for just such incidents. You need to understand that the locals seldom deal with these type situations and even though they may have some training you want someone with the actual experience. The FBI has personnel that handle these situations on a regular basis...although legitimate kidnappings are rare.

In most cases the locals are glad to turn it over to the FBI but for your story you could inject some conflict between the locals and the FBI.