Posted on 12/15/2012 7:33:09 AM PST by Vermont Lt
We just had a discussion in our house. We were wondering why the police need to do this exhaustive investigation of the crime scene when most everyone agrees the killer has been found, and he is dead--so he is not going to be prosecuted?
What are they looking for, and would it be better to simply get this circus over as soon as possible.
Does anyone have any explanation for the layman?
As former LEO I will add “threat if lawsuits” to the equation. In a situation like this thousands of self-serving attorneys will be casting their business cards in front of the victims families with millions of dollars in their eyes ready to file suit against the school for neglect in protecting their students (as if you can really foresee or prepare for an event like this) and against the police departments for failing to fully investigate the incident and bring all those to justice and thereby protecting the students from future harm. Yes it can get downright irrational and silly in the courtrooms but if they spin it right and the jury buys their concoctions they walk away with millions themselves.
Some of those bodies may not have been easy to identify. Young children don’t usually carry around an ID.
So, you let them sit at the crime scene and decompose...yeah right
They should have been removed to a morgue, or even a temp. morgue on site (heck they did that for the Titanic 1 century ago)...and let the next of kin ID there.
Lesser horrors have had many a good man or woman awaken in a cold sweat.
BINGO !
“There are probably going to be some big lawsuits here and lots of money involved so they want to be able to cover anything in court.”
This is an upscale area near NYC. The default mode is to sue when something bad happens. Expect a number of the parents to be solicited by trial lawyers with a view to sue the city and school for alleged lack of security. Plus, the security co. that recently installed some upgrades to that school’s security system. Also, the estate of the dead mom of the shooter due to lack of securing her firearms when such a troubled youth lived with her. The lawyers look for the deep pocket where ever it may be.
A complete investigation is necessary in order to piece together as many facts as possible regarding the incident.
Because at the time of the actual event, all of the facts are not known.
There will be lawsuits and evidence will be needed.
LEO really needs to analyze what happened to try and prevent it happening somewhere else
And, sadly, to make sure each child is correctly identified. Depending upon the injuries the victims sustained, that might not be as easy as we’d like to think.
>>How many people with concealed carry permits were in the building at the time of the shooting? How many of them were actually carrying? If not, why not?
Schools are gun-free zones in Connecticut, even if you have a concealed weapons permit, unless the school gives you express permission or you are a LEO. Doubtful many schools around here would give regular teachers such permission.
“Chapter 952, Sec. 53a-217b. Possession of A Weapon on School Grounds: Class D Felony.”
(a) A person is guilty of possession of a weapon on school grounds when, knowing that such person is not licensed or privileged to do so, such person possesses a firearm or deadly weapon, as defined in section 53a-3, (1) in or on the real property comprising a public or private elementary or secondary school, or (2) at a school-sponsored activity as defined in subsection (h) of section 10-233a.
(b) The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall not apply to the otherwise lawful possession of a firearm (1) by a person for use in a program approved by school officials in or on such school property or at such school-sponsored activity, (2) by a person in accordance with an agreement entered into between school officials and such person or such person’s employer, (3) by a peace officer, as defined in subdivision (9) of section 53a-3, while engaged in the performance of such peace officer’s official duties, or (4) by a person while traversing such school property for the purpose of gaining access to public or private lands open to hunting or for other lawful purposes, provided such firearm is not loaded and the entry on such school property is permitted by the local or regional board of education.
(c) Possession of a weapon on school grounds is a class D felony.
Next of kin ID could be real bad. Kids probably had multiple gunshot wounds. Would the family really want to see little Johnny with half his head missing??
(harsh, yes, but that's this reality)
Whar do the Columbine, Virginia Tech, Colorado theater, and now this school shooting all have in common?
GUN FREE ZONES
In other words, the perp knows that no one else will be armed and they are all cowards.
This GUN FREE ZONE concept is not working out real well, is it? So let’s take guns away from the law-abiding citizens who, had one of them been there, could have stopped any of these events.
In a situation like this, LEOs perform all sorts of useful activities, even if they are not very obvious at the scene.
1) To start with, they do an intensive, professional search for both offenders and victims. They “restore order” to a chaotic scene, and have available communications to other emergency services, including the fire department and paramedics and ambulances, power and gas companies, animal control, and other police and social agencies. They can also cordon off hazards to prevent people from injuring themselves.
2) They collect vital forensic evidence, for both criminal and civil purposes, not only establishing criminality but innocence and involvement. This information is also essential for insurance purposes and other government and social agencies like hospitals. As well as prosecutors.
3) They prevent a lot of “secondary crimes”, like looting, vengeance attacks and even mob violence, as well as providing crowd and traffic control and information dissemination (and rumor control) to the media, which is very important after a situation like this.
4) They also provide temporary security if needed, in case buildings cannot be secured or there are valuables lying about.
I’m sure there are far more than these, but it’s a start.
In his case, yes, it seems pretty clear. But that is not the decision to be made by the law enforcement (LE). If LE could make that decision on its own, we’d be in a world of hurt even more worse than we are now. Like other posters said, much can be learned from this extensive evidence-gathering process. It’s costly yes, but if it can save another human life, especially a child, it’s money well spent, imo.
insurance liability and closure.
For example, to collect shell casings. If a shell casing is found that doesn't match any of the guns the perp was carrying, then there was probably another shooter.
You have a point. Many of the gun free zones are common sense like banks, stores, bars, etc but I doubt the gunman would have got off 2/3 of those shots if someone with a CCW or law enforcement was present. I have no doubt i would have shot to kill the gunman after i heard the irst round go off if I were working at the school that day.
You have a point. Many of the gun free zones are common sense like banks, stores, bars, etc but I doubt the gunman would have got off 2/3 of those shots if someone with a CCW or law enforcement was present at the school that day. They could have prevented the deaths of many if those children.
The older brother may not have been charged with anything, but I believe he was “arrested.”
Except in limited circumstances (like when you’re driving and must provide ID, etc.), anytime you are not free to walk away from an encounter with a cop, you are under arrest. The use of handcuffs indicates he was not free to walk away.
That’s my understanding, anyway.
Thanks to everyone who answered. I appreciate your answers.
There are a lot of things that we take as obvious...and miss the finer details.
Perzactly!
LOL
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