investigations

[KCCStu]

I am part of a debate team at our local community college. Our topic is the death of a newborn found at a recycling center in the midwest. The infant had gone thru the machinery before being discovered. Not much evidence, so the investigation turned to subponea all hospitals, clinics, and physicians offices for all women who had a positive pregnancy test during a specific time.
Yet about 3-5 years a go an abandoned newborn was found in a barn dead from hypothermia, and no large scale investigation was launched.
What is the difference?, Why were such enourmous measures taken in this most recent case vs. the earlier one? Is there a protocol for police investigations, are the police pushed by politicians and the public to find a perpetrator? Thank you for your time.

[txinvestigator1]

A lot would depend on the agency conducting the investigation and the recources available to that agency.

Can you provide any links to info on the first case you cited. I have doubts that a that such a broad subpoena could obtained

[KCCStu]

Specifically the case is in Northwest Iowa, Storm Lake, Buena Vista County. Subpoenas were issued at private medical facilities, and at a Planned Parrenthood clinic in Storm Lake. Planned Parenthood refused to turn over patient's medical records, was held in contempt, matter taken to the Iowa Supreme Court, and dropped by the state in late October or ealry Nov. Briefs filed on behalf of Planned Parenthood can be seen at iowaclu.org. The debate is over right to privacy vs. catching a "murderer" at any expense.

Thanks for your reply.

[txinvestigator1]

SO the state dropped it's subpoena, or was it quashed?

[KCCStu]

October 30, 2002, the Iowa Supreme Court dismissed the pending medical privacy appellate case involving Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa and Buena Vista County (Iowa). The case was rendered moot on October 22, 2002, when the District Court allowed the withdrawal of the investigatory subpoena and vacated its order which would have required Planned Parenthood to release the names, addresses of women who tested positive for pregnancy between August 15, 2001 and May 30, 2002.
My question...Was this subpoena, too broad, in your opinion, could there have been some probable cause to justify to investigae so many people? At what point in an investigation do you call it, no leads, and the trail cold?
Thanks

[txinvestigator1]

As I said earlier, IMHO, the subpoena was too broad and should have never been issued.

This was an abuse by the issuing court.

There are other means of gathering evidence besides violating the rights of nemerous women who were not suspect and not under investigation.

In this case, the media could have been used to request witnesses come forth who might know someone who appeared pregnant then suddenly was not.

[Vigilante]

"My question...Was this subpoena, too broad, in your opinion, could there have been some probable cause to justify to investigae so many people? At what point in an investigation do you call it, no leads, and the trail cold? "

I think there is another question you've got here that's not answered. I think it's quite important so I'll clip it right here:
"Why were such enourmous measures taken in this most recent case vs. the earlier one?"

Don't stop. You didn't get an answer yet.

I wonder what other folks think but my take is the MEDIA. Pressure is directly proportional to the amount of visibility a case will have. Everyone that's in charge knows this, and acts accordingly.

It's not that the "farm baby" is getting second rate service, or less than par. He's getting the basics as they stand.

Now -when you have someone that's high profile, or the crime in nature has a more shocking aspect to it, or any other sick demented twist of our societies mind that is drawn to feed on such news... whew. Too many words. Anyway - the point is these folks get a "super" investigation because there are more eyes on it (IE: the media).

[KCCStu]

You are absolutely correct. The infant found at the recycleing center had gone thru the large machine shredder. The media and police called it a gruesome murder. Yet....was it a murder? I know....we'll never know. The body was sent to the state crime lab, they determined the child was born alive, and was appox 48 hours old. They could not determine if the infant was dead or alive at the time it arrived at the recycling center. I would hope the investigation continues, and that explains why very little is known about the infant and how it died.

Would it be effectve in an investigation to lay back, and some one will come forward? I think in the "recycle baby" case, the investigators have scared any one who may have come forward. No one will be willing to talk or even gossip at the local coffee shop for fear they may be suspect.

[txinvestigator1]

Hmmm, not murder. Maybe suicide?