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A quick question.

posted by [personal profile] panik at 02:07pm on 21/06/2007 under ,
...please help a clueless Brit.

If a serial killer moved his activities from one state to another - would the FBI be the ones to investigate, or the city police in the new location?

(Thanks)
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There are 10 comments on this entry. (Reply.)
 

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posted by [identity profile] j-amanda.livejournal.com at 01:29pm on 21/06/2007
Just so you know, I'm no expert. But I'm fairly sure once it was established that the same person was committing interstate crimes it would become an FBI case. But, they'd have lots of local police help, I'm sure. (Doesn't the FBI call the locals "LEOs" for "Local Law Enforcement Officer? They do on tv, anyway.) Did you get much coverage of the Beltway Sniper? That was a joint investigation of FBI and local law enforcement agencies. Probably, the FBI has better investigative resources, like forensic labs and stuff. You could check the FBI website at fbi.gov and maybe wikipedia.org

But again, I may not know what the heck I'm talking about.
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Too cool for subject

posted by [identity profile] gillyp.livejournal.com at 01:34pm on 21/06/2007
That's kind of what I thought... so, an FBI unit would work on the case together with the locals?

Hey, it's just a fic, but I like to get it right. (o:

I shall check the websites, thanks.
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Too cool for subject

posted by [identity profile] j-amanda.livejournal.com at 01:47pm on 21/06/2007
From the little bit I read just now, it looks like the locals take the lead with support from FBI -- most times. Which kind of makes sense, since the locals would know their area better, maybe? I'm fuzzy on what, if anything, would tip the scales and make the FBI take the lead on an investigation. Also, it looks like the FBI is much taken up with anti-terrorist activities nowadays, taking priority over lowly serial killers.

Since I've got you here, maybe you could tell me a bit about the division of duties between MI5 and MI6? (I know you're busy with the other writing thing so feel free to ignore if you are pressed for time.)
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Too cool for subject

posted by [identity profile] gillyp.livejournal.com at 03:32pm on 21/06/2007
Just got back from a shoppiong trip, actually, but in the mega-wait at the bank (their computers were down. Again. sigh) I managed to sort this bit of the plot in my head - think. (o:

MI5 = homeland security and MI6 = foreign-based threats. ie; MI5 is watching me (and my 60 million compatriots); MI6 is watching 'them' - the other 5 billion or so Earth inhabitants. ::G::
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posted by [identity profile] j-amanda.livejournal.com at 05:39pm on 21/06/2007
Thanks! That explains nicely.

And nice that you could put your wait-time to good use by working out plotlines!
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starwatcher: Western windmill, clouds in background, trees around base. (Default)

Too cool for subject

posted by [personal profile] starwatcher at 03:49pm on 21/06/2007
.
The thing is, there are some crimes that are "designated" under Federal jurisdiction -- kidnapping and terrorism, maybe others I don't know. Others are handled by local authorities.

If your serial killer picks up and moves to a different state -- probably not close to where he started -- it will take some time before the local authorities...

a. Twig that he's a serial killer

b. Learn that he fits a pattern that's been established elsewhere

c. Alert the Feds

Therefore, the locals are already working on the problem when/if the Feds come in, and they won't want to give up the recognition of being the ones to solve the problem. And, as (I forget) said, the locals know the territory. And, if the new venue is way far away, it might be different federal agents assigned to the case, so all they know is on paper, anyway; these specific agents might not have actually worked on the case elsewhere. (Of course, you can control that in your story, and move the agents around if you need.)

But, in general, probably a joint operation, with some wrangling between the jurisdictions. Technically, FBI would have "top dog" status, and expect to run things, but if the local head guy is persistent, and the FBI guy is kind of agreeable, they might actually make a joint procedure, instead of an adversarial one. Again, you can control that in your story.
.
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Too cool for subject

posted by [identity profile] gillyp.livejournal.com at 04:00pm on 21/06/2007
Well, this isn't a 'case and action' story - the case is really just a hook to hang the other stuff on so I don't want to get too deeply into it, but your a, b and c have already been more-or-less established before the story begins and the killings are moving very fast...

"Technically, FBI would have "top dog" status, and expect to run things..."
Which suits me just fine. The FBI thing is a bit of a red-herring in the story, I just need them to distract while the killer does his thing so, that suits me nicely.

Thanks. (o:
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Too cool for subject

posted by [identity profile] tri-rin.livejournal.com at 04:52pm on 21/06/2007
I'm not EVEN going to ask why you want to know this.

If a serial killer commits murders in one state and moves to another state then it might be a while before the local officials discover that it's the same person (unless the killer is well publicized). It takes a certain number of deaths for the FBI to become involved (I believe it's as low as 10 but I can't remember). However, even though the FBI would be INVOLVED and possibly heading the investigations. The local authorities would be valuable members in the investigation (after all, it is their "turf"). Have I answered your question effectively?
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Too cool for subject

posted by [identity profile] gillyp.livejournal.com at 06:16pm on 21/06/2007
"I'm not EVEN going to ask why you want to know this."
I'm writing Sentinel fic - nothing sinister, honestly! ::G::

In my story, a detective from Cascade is now working in Chicago and recognises the killer's MO. I don't know how many my murderer has killed, tbh - not sure it's as many as 10. I was thinking that, since the crimes have happened in 2 states, it had become 'federal' but maybe not(?) I just need some FBI interference to distract one of my characters; throw in a bit of a red herring here and there.

"However, even though the FBI would be INVOLVED and possibly heading the investigations. The local authorities would be valuable members in the investigation (after all, it is their "turf")."
That is perfect - that's exactly what I was envisioning.

"Have I answered your question effectively?"
Perfect, thank you.
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Too cool for subject

posted by [identity profile] tri-rin.livejournal.com at 12:55pm on 22/06/2007
You're welcome.
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