Well, ah, actually I do. That's what we pay them for. Can you think of something more important for the police to be doing?DiverDown wrote:Do you think the PD is gonna spend time doing ballistics on all weapons found..
Dave
What have you found while diving??
Dave - are you a criminologist?
Here's the deal with big versus smaller department. If you gave it to Lake Stevens PD, they may or may not be set-up to easily run ballistics. If they are set up for it, they'd absoultely do it. Snohomish Co. SO would absoultely be set up as they're a larger department. A small department would send it to the state crime lab if the case required it, but probably wouldn't just for a found weapon without having something they were trying to link it to.
What's troubling is that in MANY cases, the PD won't return the weapon to the finder "just because" even though it rightfully should be. A friend of mine is an attorney specializing in firearms law and much of his business is recovering weapons that belong to his clients and should have been returned by the PD but weren't... I have a real problem with how police departments handle firearms - sometimes they don't return things when they should and it takes a court order for the civilian to get their weapon back.
DD - if it was buried in silt, how did you find it? Metal detector or stirring up the bottom? It is a premium weapon and a great find. I did see the bluing coming off, but you can re-blue it. Wade's in Bellevue has a great finish-guy. If you really want to trick it out, check out http://www.robarguns.com - the owner is a friend of my father and is alligned with Thunder Ranch. They have some of the best coatings and custom weapons around.
Here's the deal with big versus smaller department. If you gave it to Lake Stevens PD, they may or may not be set-up to easily run ballistics. If they are set up for it, they'd absoultely do it. Snohomish Co. SO would absoultely be set up as they're a larger department. A small department would send it to the state crime lab if the case required it, but probably wouldn't just for a found weapon without having something they were trying to link it to.
What's troubling is that in MANY cases, the PD won't return the weapon to the finder "just because" even though it rightfully should be. A friend of mine is an attorney specializing in firearms law and much of his business is recovering weapons that belong to his clients and should have been returned by the PD but weren't... I have a real problem with how police departments handle firearms - sometimes they don't return things when they should and it takes a court order for the civilian to get their weapon back.
DD - if it was buried in silt, how did you find it? Metal detector or stirring up the bottom? It is a premium weapon and a great find. I did see the bluing coming off, but you can re-blue it. Wade's in Bellevue has a great finish-guy. If you really want to trick it out, check out http://www.robarguns.com - the owner is a friend of my father and is alligned with Thunder Ranch. They have some of the best coatings and custom weapons around.
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Well, no, I'm not. I'm just a taxpayer mostly. (I'm also the Chairman of my city's Civil Service Commission, a former member of the Snohomish County Law & Justice Council, a former two term City Councilman and the father of a homicide detective.)Sounder wrote:Dave - are you a criminologist?
I agree that there are problems that can arise when a person is put in a situation where they've found something. I'd just like my point to be that if I were the victim of violence then a ditched weapon recovered may lead to the arrest of my attacker. And that, in my opinion, is the prime purpose of funding police agencies. If that isn't the reality in some jurisdictions then perhaps their mission needs to be closely examined and re-directed.
There are so many unsolved murders in this country that the recovery of a deadly weapon can be a deal maker for investigators.
Yes, I totally agree. Ideally, the unique markings on the case and round would help solve something or at least be recorded. It's like "gun DNA" and larger departments compile that data and cross-check it against questions in their cases. I also agree that in those departments where they don't jump on every opportunity to collect information, they're doing a dis-service to the public that pays their mortgages. Sounds like everything was sufficiently documented here though... I just wish I'd found it! ](*,)
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thelawgoddess
- Pelagic
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i'd be interested in the lake, too. (the sewer ... not so much!)
"Life without passion is life without depth."~J.Hollis
my FLICKR photo sets
my FLICKR photo sets
I'm looking forward to diving Pine Lake here on the plateau after fishing/swimming season to collect treasures!
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