Thursday, June 26, 2014

In Re Y.R. (Cal. Ct. App. - June 3, 2014)

"Detective Robert Forbes of the San Diego County Sheriff's Office was assigned to investigate the incident of vandalism at the clubhouse. After about a year, law enforcement identified Y.R. as a potential suspect from DNA found at the scene."

Wait a minute.  We're now using DNA to figure out which kids committed a year-old offense of busting down the door to a HOA clubhouse?

I had no idea the San Diego Sheriff's Office was so . . . efficient.  Particularly since my only personal experience with the process is having to file a theft report online -- because that's the only way you're allowed to do it -- after a couple of guys were spotted smashing the windshield of my parked car and stealing a laptop therein.  For that, you get a cop who spends five seconds reviewing the report online and hitting the "Okay" button -- nothing else -- but for a busted door, you apparently get police officers coming out and taking DNA.

I'm not complaining about the usual process.  Truly.  I get that for most minor (e.g., sub-$5000) property crimes, the police aren't likely to catch anyone, so won't even try.  Indeed, for most property crimes worth less than $500, the San Diego Police Department won't even let you file a report.  Just wastes their time.

I just find it surprising that we're nonetheless using DNA evidence to catch a teenage "aider and abettor" girlfriend who tells her boyfriend she's cold and thus "persuades" her boyfriend to break down a door to they can warm up in a clubhouse.  Not sure why that particular crime gets so much attention.

Not critical.  Just surprised.