Stacking the Deck for a Winning Hand

http://blogs.discovery.com/sleuth_truth/2008/06/stacking-the-de.html

"Have you heard about Cold Case Playing Cards?," asks Detective James Scharf of the Major Crimes Unit Cold Case Team, regarding an unusual deck of cards detailed in a news release made on May 29, 2008.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
5/29/2008

Cold case detectives have distributed a brand new deck of cards featuring unsolved homicides and missing person's cases to prisoners at the Snohomish County Jail.

The goal is to get tips and leads that will help detectives solve some outstanding cases and find answers for grieving families who have been waiting years, even decades.

The Daily Herald Of Everett, Washington offers a look at the entire deck.

Dealing the Cards
"We just put decks of them into our local jail and are going to be handing them out in our prisons. We featured unsolved homicides and missing person cases on the cards to ask for tips from inmates," explains Det. Scharf.

An idea originally spawned from the United States military, which issued decks of playing cards with photos of the most wanted terrorists. Cold Case detectives ran with the idea -- but this deck features 52 cold cases rather than war criminals -- after several months of hard work by detectives carefully gathering and developing the data.

With the helping hand by the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians 5,000 decks of cards for distribution was purchased. My deck was sent courtesy of Detective Jim Scharf (thanks Jim).

Basically the face each card provides an image and description of a cold case -- the oldest dates back to 1972 -- and instructions on how to provide a tip on the back of each card. Placing these cards in the local jails and prisons are keeping these cases in front of the very people who might gossip about the crimes. Is it possible this deck of cards will create a stir and generate new leads? It's certainly a possibility by introducing them as a topic of conversation.

The tip line number on the cards (1-800-222-TIPS) is for Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound. A reward will be paid for information resulting in an arrest or charged filed for any felony crime reported.

A Risky Wager?
Callers can remain anonymous but detectives encourage them to leave a phone number. Tips have proved to be much more successful when detectives can communicate with the tipster to gather additional information.

Often people are afraid to step out publicly if they feel it might potentially risk their own safety. An anonymous option might be the only option they are able to fully embrace. That is also welcomed and encouraged.

The ability to remain anonymous might also provide the needed comfort zone for an inmate to "show his hand" if he or she has access to additional information.

I know some of the folks there at Snohomish County Sheriff's Office -- I encourage anyone with information to trust these officials and make that call. I'm happy to help make the connection if anyone has any remaining hesitation.

Take a look at the entire deck.

Will this effort be a success? We will certainly stay tuned to see.

Will other agencies across the nation take a gamble and follow suit? I hope so.

I ask my readers, friends and fellow advocates to suggest this possibility to law enforcement across the continent.

If you have any information on the topics I post, then please leave me a comment, email me at SleuthTheTruth@gmail.com or call my Tip Line at 206-279-9993.

http://blogs.discovery.com/sleuth_truth