As in every case they worked, Rhyme asked for a whiteboard chart listing the evidence. Sachs did the honors. She moved stiffly to the board. Rhyme noted the hitch in her leg; she suffered from arthritis and the extended search in a damp, subterranean garage had taken its toll. Once or twice, reaching to the top to start a new entry, she winced.
Finally she finished--all three boards in Rhyme's parlor were required. And that was just to list what the teams had found. There was no analysis at all, much less insightful deductions that could be made about sources or inferences as to prospective victims.
Everyone in the room fell silent and stared.
UNSUB TWENTY-SIX HOMICIDE
Location: 832 E. 26th Street
Victim: Jane Levine, thirty-one
COD: Internal injuries from weight of vehicle
TOD: Approximately 4:00 a.m.
General notes:
* Robbery not motive
* No sexual assault
* Victim was not a known witness, no one appeared to be delivering "messages"
* No drug or other illegal or organized crime connection
* No known enemies
* Present boyfriend has alibi
* Dated casually men met through work, health club, church--no bad breakups or stalkers * Appears to be a random crime, likely a serial perpetrator
Evidence:
* Approximately 82 pounds of household trash, covering auto ramp to garage and floor of garage, probably from Dumpster in apartment building * Duct tape
--used to subdue victim --four nearly empty rolls located, probably taken from trash --to be determined if one was the source of the tape used on victim
* Hair, some naturally detached from follicles, some cut
--approximately 930 separate samples --human, animal? To be determined
* Shattered cinderblock
--one piece used to strike victim from behind --all the pieces were spray painted, obscuring evidence (see paint below)
* Newspapers, magazines, direct mail pieces, apparently from trash and recycling bins; used, many items handled; therefore containing friction ridge prints * Plastic spoons, forks, knives, food containers, beverage cups, coffee cartons, all used
--185 samples --DNA, to be determined
* Swabs of human and/or animal organic materials, revealed by alternative light source
--saliva, semen, plasma, sweat, vaginal fluids?
--possibly delivered to the scene via strewing trash and medical waste --742 swabs taken from different locations --DNA, to be determined
* Fibers, cloth
--439 samples