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June Tour of Duty
July Tour of Duty
August Tour of Duty
By Staff Writer Dennis J. McGowan
Questions submitted this month were introduced by Kris who is writing a thriller with missing persons and K-9 dog units. She writes: 'My plot line is about a missing school bus filled with a class of kindergartners returning from a supposed field trip, which goes awry. My main character is a National Association of Search and Rescue dog handler. The story is revealed from her point of view [POV]. I've been told my logic is wrong through crits... so...
My TOUR OF DUTY begins ~~~
1. "How many hours do you wait to post a missing persons report for a child under age eighteen?"
Depending on the circumstances, the normal waiting period for a missing person's report would be twenty-four hours. The way you present your scenario, "kindergartners on a bus," the search could commence immediately.
2."How does the K-9 unit work?"
In the case of finding a person, the dog sniffs the clothing of the child given by the parent who tries to pick up the scent if it is not too old. If a lake, or stream is involved, the water would dissipate the scent. Windy and rainy days are not too good for the dogs.
3A. "Do you work with the National Association of Search and Rescue [NASAR]?"
The National Association of Search and Rescue is a professional association specialists. In this case as you state it, your dog handler would most likely be a part of a local law enforcement agency with membership in NASAR.
To answer your question, being a professional membership organization and not a public entity in law enforcement, no, NASAR would not be notified of this specific case by the detectives in charge.
3B. "Would the detectives work with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children [NCMEC]?"
The detectives would work with them if the NCMEC would have information pertinent to the case.
3C. "Would the Federal Bureau of Investigation [FBI] be involved with this case?"
As in all possible kidnappings or a homicide across state lines, the FBI would be notified as a public law enforcement agency.
3D. "Would the detective team notify the sheriff's office?"
Your bus of school children is missing in a particular county, therefore, the sheriff's office in the county would be notified as a public law enforcement agency. In fact, all law enforcement agencies would be notified in and around that jurisdiction including the state.
4A."Do you use Amber Alerts?"
New York State uses the Amber Alert system on its highways and thoroughfares.
4B. "How do they work?"
It is a matter of procedure. Once notification is received, the person assigned to the task disseminates an "Amber Alert."
5. "How would a police investigator work and handle the case?"
In my August 15, 2003 Tour of Duty column at The Reader's Room I have addressed this question when it deals with adults. The same basic procedures apply when law enforcement is looking into the backgrounds of the people who would be with the children.
6A. "Throw in a car jacking...."
Does the car jacking take place before, during or after the field trip?
Was the bus driver, teacher, bus matron, volunteer parent or a kindergartner either victim of the car jacking or a perpetrator of the car jacking? Were any of these characters witness to the car jacking?
Whose vehicle was car jacked? Does it matter to the plot line?
6B. "...and murder."
Does the murder take place before, during or after the field trip?
Was the bus driver, teacher, bus matron, a volunteer parent or any of the children the perpetrator of the crime? Or victim(s) of the crime? Witness to the crime?
"6C. Now how would a detective team handle the case?"
Most likely a task force would be formed consisting of the investigators assigned to the car jacking, the detectives assigned to the homicide and the investigators assigned to the missing person case.
All of the above questions would need to be answered to my satisfaction, which means each lead would be followed until it came to its conclusion. Investigations don't take place in the TV hour. Many law enforcement personnel are involved in a task force. Many hours are put into running down leads as quickly as possible. Teams are sent out to connect the clues. The backgrounds of people involved at the time of the crime will also be detailed. They will either be eliminated from the investigation or more information will be obtained until the detectives close the investigation.
Thank you for trusting me with your questions, Kris, and best of luck with these characters. You have the makings of a great novel!
Authors! Don't hesitate. Now is the time to send your questions to ReadersRoom2@aol.com.
Play it safe!
Dennis J. McGowan
www.dennisjmcgowan.com
Copyright 2003 by ReadersRoom, LLC. All rights reserved.
