In this morning's Northwest Herald is a story about a double homicide (possible murder-suicide?) in Harvard. One line in the story reads, "The McHenry County Major Investigation Assistance Team is assisting with the investigation."
I was immediately reminded of a triple homicide near Marengo in June 2011. M.I.A.T. was not called out, and less than 24 hours later Sheriff Nygren proclaimed, in effect, "case closed". After that, it was just a matter of writing up reports.
Jack Feldkamp, Audrey Feldkamp and Doran Bloom died that night. Scott Feldkamp was transported to a hospital with knife wounds. The investigation of that triple homicide, although abandoned by the McHenry County Sheriff's Department, is being kept alive.
In that case M.I.A.T. (Major Investigations Assistance Team) was not called out. Was the pride of the MCSD too great to accept that perhaps eyes and minds with specialized talents should have been called in without delay? Both Sheriff Nygren and Undersheriff Zinke went to the scene between 11:00PM-Midnight and apparently stayed only 15 minutes, according to the crime-scene log.
Far too many deputies trampled through that crime scene. Records indicate approximately 50 different MCSD deputies were recorded on the log. It seems to me that, once the house was safe to enter and the two injured persons were removed, then there should have been very limited access.
Didn't anyone at MCSD raise the serious questions that have since been asked?
Apparently not. After all, who would be brave enough to ask career-ending questions, after the sheriff had announced to the media what had
happened (based on very early and preliminary information)?
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3 comments:
Looking at the NWH Photo it is MCSO deputies. Who do you think the lion's share of the MIAT is comprised of?
You know little about investigations and little less about MIAT.
It's my understanding that almost all of the police departments in McHenry County participate in M.I.A.T.
"It's my understanding that almost all of the police departments in McHenry County participate in M.I.A.T."
Generally true Gus but sadly only a few dept's actually contribute anything worthwhile.
If you watch the Chicago TV news and notice, the street is lined with MCSO squads. The Sheriff's Crime Scene van is there.
The bulk of ET work........ SHERIFF
The Crime Photography ..SHERIFF
The larger departments such as CLPD, McHenry PD Woodstock, ALgonquin, LITH have full time investigators that that get some decent experience. They contribute talented and valuable assistance but spare me the violins. These other PT departments that are members of MIAT are gophers, little more.
When smaller departments need assistance MIAT is always there for them. When smaller departments need help the MCSO is always there for them. That being said the larger departments usually have the resources to handle most of their crime scenes, especially when the offender is known or all that is needed is ET collection and photography.
This is not a slap at the small departments, but you need experienced personnel and they don't get the exposure to crime scenes like the larger departments do.
I'm sure some people will be butt hurt but so be it. That's life and why larger departments are resource agencies for the smaller ones. Wearing a badge does not mean you know all aspects of the job.
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