If you are looking for Glamour, Gadgets and Grissom you won't find them here. Forget what you think you know about 'Forensics', these are the tales of one man and his brush. Of course these views do not represent the views of any Police Force or indeed reflect any Force Policies ya da ya.

Friday 11 May 2007

Brother in Arms

Not too long ago I attended a Burglary at an Old dears house, a lovely woman who lived alone and didn't have many friends in the area.

She was obviously upset that she had just been burgled but she was putting a brave face on it and was very chatty, possibly because she'd more visitors in the last 24 hours, than the past month. During my examination I found a old biscuit tin under a dresser. I asked if it had been moved at all and when I turned around for my answer she was in tears. The tin contained all her memories of her brother who had died during the 2nd World War when he was only 21. The tears were those of relief that the tin hadn't been taken by the offenders and then tossed aside when no cash was found and for a few moments she forgot that people had been in and turned her house over. I made her a cup of tea and we sat for almost an hour talking about her brother and how he achieved more in his short life than the little reprobates responsible for her current situation.

The conclusion?, bring back National Service! Not that I entirely agree with equipping bad boys with firearms, but the discipline and hard work would most certainly do them some good.

5 comments:

Gargoyle said...

Sometimes your job is about covering the interior of someones house with dust...

Other, rarer times, it is about empowerment and councelling. This is where your skills will really be tested. Never more will your ear be such a valuable tool, a well placed nod, a supportive hand on the shoulder, and a warm cup of tea...

I once spent 3 hour with an Italian lady whose world had collapsed since her husband died a year ago. Her sons were all out of the state and she had no-one. Her entire body was shaking as she told me the story of how she saw this young villian trying to break into her house in th emiddle of the night. She was putting on the bravest of shows, but when I asked if she was going to be OK, she burst into tears. I called the office and told the boss I would be indisposed for a while.

She made me the strongest cup of coffee I have ever had, plied me full of home made biscuits and poured her heart out.

Meanwhile, bullets had been flying in the streets around us, murders, rapes and much juicier jobs being called over the radio...

I think that was the most important job I have ever done.

Keep up the good work!

Gargoyle said...

By the way, do you get paid more or less than your Police counterparts? Our Commissioner is trying to privatise our SOCO services, we are currently serving officers.

CSI:UK said...

We get paid more or less on a par with Police Constables once you get a few years in. The starting rate is a few grand lower until you have completed your training, and the management levels a few grand higher.

Think I may be tempted to apply over your neck of the woods then, sunnier climes and all that!

Gargoyle said...

Our Police Service is heavily recruiting in your neck of the woods right now, but mainly through the enlisted. We get paid as officers, which is a reasonable wage (aprox $60,000/year when I left after 7 years) but probably not enough to buy a house over here now ($400,000 - $500,000 average to good area). You do get to flit through different sections as an officer, if you so desire.

You should give it a go...

The weather should be enough to make the decision easy!

Mr Mans Wife said...

That is such a touching post. It made me cry. Thank you for sharing the experience.

That's the worst thing about burglary - costly items can be replaced but sentimental items are lost forever. I'm so glad that her memories were left untouched.