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August 1989 Law Enforcement' Bulletin

Also In This Issue: Computer Expert Systems Policing Demonstrations Drug Detection Dogs

( 1me Television , I % I August 1989, Volume 58, Number 8

I£ f 1 ! I i I ~ ______F=e_a_tu_r_e_s~JL~ 1 I ,j...t q qJ Crime-Time Television By Scott A. Nelson I, ILl Cf'l'l t 12 Expert Systems for Law Enforcement I By Roland Reboussin and Jerry Cameron [ 18 Policing Demonstrations II By Robert J. Johnston, Jr., and Lawrence F. Loesch, Jr. t Hounding Drug Traffickers: I The Use of Drug Detection Dogs l By Kimberly A. Kingston !

i Departments 10 The Bulletin Reports 121993- t U.S. Department of Justice 12199f) I 17 Book Review National Institute of Justice 1 This document has been reproduced exactly as received from the person or organization originating it. Points of view or opinions stated 24 Police Practices in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the National Institute of Justice.

Permission to reproduce this ~ material has been I granted by i -EBI-Law-Enforcement Bulletin I to the National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS). Further reproduction outside of the NCJRS system requires permis­ \ sion of the~ owner. i l?OOU Law Enforcement Bulletin

United States Department of Justice Published by the Office of The Cover: Featured on the cover are Federal Bureau of Investigation Public Affairs, John Walsh, host of "America's Most Washington, DC 20535 Milt ~hlerich, Assistant Director Wanted," and Robert Stack, host of : I "Unsolved Mysteries." See article p. 1.

~ William S. Sessions, Director Editor-Stephen D.' Gladis The FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Managing Editor-Kathryn E. SUlewski (ISSN-0014-5688j is published monthly by the The Attorney General has determined that the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 10th and Penn­ publication of this periodical is necessary in the Art' [jir~ctprTJohn E. Ott sylvania Ave .• N.W.• Washington. DC 20535. transaction of the public business required by law of the Department of Justice. Use of funds for Production Manager-Andrew DiRosa Second-Class postage paid at Washington. DC. printing this periodical has been approved by the Postmaster: Send address changes to Federal Director of the Office of Management and .-. Bureau of Investigation. FBI Law Enforcement Budget. Bulletin. Washington. DC 20535.

ISSN 0014-5688 USPS 383-310 e 4 H +

Crime .. Time Television

By scon A. NELSON Section Chief Office of Public Affairs Federal Bureau of Investigation Washington, DC

------,------____ August 1989 j 1 \, - mericans live in an ever­ . 'crime-time" television shows The success of this program changing electronic world have resulted in the apprehension is well documented. Within the A where "one picture is of fugitives, the solution of diffi­ first year, 9 of the first 20 "Top worth a thousand words." One cult cases, and positive publicity Tenners" were arrested as a result particular medium that has exerted for the law enforcement agencies of citizen tips. To date, informa­ a dominant influence over OLlr involved. ~ tion from citizens alone has led to society is television. Ninety-eight Thi~ article discusses the the capture of 121 of the 426 percent of all American homes development of crime-time televi­ "Top Ten" fugitives who have have at least one television set sion and its pros and cons. It also been added to the list. Obviously, which is turned on for more than 6 offers suggestions to the law the widespread publicity generated hours a day.! enforcement manager who may be by the printed media worked. The TV has an almost mesmeriz­ approached by a local or national value of citizen participation in ing power over viewers. [t can network to participate in a crime­ capturing the mobile, elusive captivate an audience to such an solving program. criminal cannot be questioned. extent that it can influence public Law Enforcement From Print to Picture Tube opinion and set public policy. and the Printed Media During the 1960's and early Why'! The answer is simple-tele­ The FBI's "Ten Most 1970·s. television crime dramas vision is everywhere. It is also Wanted Fugitives" list was law dominated the airwaves. One of entertaining, requires little effort. enforcement's I'irst major union the most popular was "The FB I, " and presents information in both with the media. A newspaper story which is considered to be one of visual and audio terms. in 1949 led to the creation of the the top five longest running televi­ Law enforcement agencies list after a reporter asked the FBI sion series. The program starred are just beginning to realize the for the names and descriptions of Efr~m Zimbalist, Jr., as Inspector full potential of this powerful the "toughest guys" the Bureau Erskine and aired from 1965 to medium and to use it to their would like to capture. The story 1974. It occupied a highly coveted advantage. In recent years, the law generated so much positive pub­ time slot-Sunday at 8:00 p.m.­ enforcement profession has joined licity that on March 14. 1950, for­ considered by many to be the forces with the TV media and, in mer FB [ Director J. Edgar Hoover "family hour." The series drama­ turn, with the public to form a approved the" Most Wanted Fugi­ tized actual FBI cases that had beneficial partnership. Weekly tive" Program. been solved. In the wake of the Vietnam War, crime dramas became unpopular to American television viewers. An anti-establishment Two of the most mentality prevailed, and this impacted dramatically on the pub­ " popular shows, lic's perception of law enforce­ 'America's Most ment. Wanted' and However. in the early 1980's, a 'Unsolved Mysteries' new FBI drama starring Mike Connors appeared on the televi­ have become sion screen. "Today's FBI" por­ potent law trayed the changes that had taken enforcement tools. place not only within the organiza­ tion but also within the criminal Special Agent Nelson world. A female Agent and a black Agent joined the team to solve cases dealing with modern­ " day crime problems, such as white-collar crime and organized crime. 2 FB! Law Enforcement Bulletin ______Me 'M4 ~ 3m,l" e '. , position in modern-day program­ The two shows, "The FBI" viewers demands, networks and "Today's FBI," were solely revamped their programming t11lng. l to entertain the viewing pUblic. schedules. But. the television Two of the most popular The cases portrayed had already shows took on a new look-a new shows, ""America's Most I been solved: the perpetrators had direction. Wanted" (AMW) and "Unsolved been apprehended and convicted. Dramatized, factual re-crea­ Mysteries" (UM) have become tions or "reality programming" potent law enforcement tools. Crime-Time Television now appear on the screen. They are basically a more vis'ual By the 1980's, there was a Viewers are asked to help identify and more interesting extension of resurgence of public interest in or locate criminals. Crime-time the "Top Ten" Program that has crime dramas. Responding to television has taken a premier captured America's attention since

Inspector Erskine (Efrem Zimba/ist, Jr.) and Assistant Director Ward (Philip Abbott) of "The FBI"

Mike Connors of "Today's FBI"

Efrem Zimba/ist, Jr.. is trained in the use of firearms at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia

'1-______August 1989 3

------• ttt i· the I 95(),s. While AMW centers to 15 million viewers, It IS cur­ viewed by approximately 30 mil­ on factual fugitive re-creations, rently the number-one ratee! Fox lion people every Wednesday UM's format is more varied, television network show. lts popu­ night. covering not only fugitives but larity has boomed. ancl it now airs also unsolved criminal cases and on 123 Fox-affiliated stations in A Beneficial Partnership unexplained mysteries. Both major American cities. Although crime-time televi­ shows factor in entertainment. and John Walsh describes sion i~ common in such European that. combined with the public's "America's Most Wanted" as a countries as England, West Ger­ des lre to he Ip. accou nts for the "weekly nationwide criminal many. and The Netherlands, the audience draw. manhunt." The show attempts to genre is still fairly new to the United States. Yet. the FBI has cooperated with certain crime-time television shows from the very Several other Federal agencies ... have also beginning, recognizing the pro­ " cooperated with the television industry to grams as unique opportunities to produce crime-time television shows and are catch fugitives and solve cases through public/private involve­ reaping substantial benefits. ment. C;;~venll other Federal agen­ cies, such as the Drug Enforce­ ment Administration, the Bureau However. according to accurately reenact crimes at the of Alcohol, Tobacco and Fire­ actual scene whenever possible." arms, and the U.S, Customs Serv­ Executive Producer Michael Lilllkr, AMW puts the entertain­ However, only serious crimes ice, and local and State law mcnt aspect into perspective: which merit nationwide exposure enforcement agencies have also "We knmv our program is seen and which can be solved with the cooperated with the television as entertainment by the lllany public's help are reenacted. industry to produce crime-time in our audience who are simply "Unsolved Mysteries," cre­ television shows and are reaping fascinated by the often bizarre ated by NBC's entertainment divi­ substantial benefits. According to behavior of criminals. But. sion, is hosted by Robert Stack. Michael Linder: shock. violence and horror are According to Stuart Schwartz, "We have worked with more dramatic devices we choose to coordinating producer, than 95 law enforcement agen­ avoid. We want to stress " 'Unsolved Mysteries' initi­ cies in more than 130 citie~ and human values. Our cases are ated the crime-solving genre in their cooperation has been sim­ often the stories of ordinary January, 1987, when our first ply astonishing. I see a new people caught lip in extraordi­ episode aired. The show grew relatiol1shi p emerging between nary events and people whose out of several TV specials we law enforcement and the lives have been touched pro­ did called, 'Missing-Have media. In the past. these orga­ foundly by crime. We intend to You Seen This Person'?' in nizations often engaged in depict their lives with cOl11pas- which we profiled missing per­ adversarial politics, but at ..,ion and understanding. In that sons cases and asked our AMW. we believe we're creat­ way, we believe other viewers audience to call in to an 800 ing a prototype which uses the will be motivated to help out of number with tips. The show strengths of each to accomplish sympathy to victims of resulted in reuniting 25 missing a greater goal. ' , violence. ,. rh~ople with their families. " Stuart Schwartz adds: AMW, hosted by John As of July 1989, UM has "Americans seem particularly Walsh, whose son, Adam. was been credited with the solution or concerned today with rising brutally murdered, premiered on 26 cases, 17 of which were FBI crime statistics. We believe that February 7. 1988, on select Fox cases. This past year, UM was 'Unsolved Mysteries' creates an TV affiliates. Seen weekly by 12 rated the lOp new NBC series, opportunity for national televi-

4 FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin ______etH awN • ... M * sion to work as a tool for law enforcement. ... By cooperat­ ing with law enforcement agencies nationwide, we give case investigators an oppor­ South Florida's "Eye on Crime" tunity to be put directly in touch \vith those viewers hav­ The .. Eye on Crime," a locally ing that one vital clue or piece authorities and the FBI for several produced crime-time television of information that helps to unique bank robberies. The solve a case .... We believe show, premiered at 8 p.m. on "Loan Bandit" would "case" a that television [and . Unsol veel July 29. 1988, on WPLG Channel bank, pretending to apply for a Mysteries'] can be an effective 10, a Post-Newsweek station and loan. and then return within a partner in the fight against ABC affiliate in the Miami/Ft. couple days with his loan applica­ crime ... Lauderdale, FL, area. The pro­ tion to rob the bank, ordering the gram is hosted by WPLG anchor, teller to place large bills into his Behind the Scenes Dwight Lauderdale. with profes­ folded loan application. He would Both shows are constantly sional commentary from Police then leave the scene in a red Ford probing for new stories-the life­ Commander Bill Johnson. The "Taurus" or Mercury "Sable." line of their programs. Each uses program is similar to other crime­ On its first airing, the pro­ researchers to identify cases that time television shows in that it gram earned an 8 rating and a J 5 can be developed into a segment requests its viewers to help cap­ share. When it was telecast in its of the show, although "cold ture lawbreakers, has a call-in normal Sunday night time slot at calls" merely asking for leads number (l-800-447-1030) and 11 :30 p.m .. it drew a 9 rating and have been made to police depart­ provides police detectives to a 26 share, twice the normal Sun­ ments. However. with the pro­ respond to tips. But, its focus is day rating. Program Manager, grams' rising popularity. this is an not on reenactments. Instead, Sherry Burns, comments, " 'Eye infrequent occurrence. Stories WPLG's cameras accompany the on Crime' works because it's selected are those that are seriolls. police units throughout South immediate and it's real-and can be solved. and have interest­ Florida and provide live footage nothing has a greater impact than ing plots and sympathetic victims. of crimes in progress or use that." She noted: "We called Once the case is chosen. and actual police video tape in their them in and told them what we this may be done with or without segments. wanted to do, what our goals the cooperation of the police The first program featured a were, and asked for their help." department. the re-creation. or segment concerning a breaking­ And. Broward County, FL, Sher­ dramatization. begins. Real police and-entering case. The police and iff Nick Navarro believes that officers/victi ms can be used. but camera crew responded to a 911 "We in law enforcement have often actors are hired. Depart­ call from a woman who had fled long recognized that our effective­ ments may be asked to provide her home upon hearing a burglar ness is vastly increased when we evidence. duly officers. police enter. The police then surrounded have the support of the public at cars. equipment. or other real-life the. house and were able to disarm large." ~upport for the episode. Pictures. and capture the burglar. As a result of "Eye on plots. investigative theories. and ,. Eye on Crime's" first pro­ Crime's" first show, local police poignant stories all become the gram also featured a segment on received viewer tips which led to "pegs" that make the story work. the" Loan BaneJjt," a local maJe, arrest warrants being issued in The media relies on the so-called who was wanted by both the 10caJ one of the cases reported. "six C's": Catastrophe. crisis. conflict. crime. corruption and color. and to a degree, these pro­ grams are part of the larger TV game plan,.:!

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------M@

" '... we give case investigators an opportunity to be put directly in touch with those viewers having that one vital clue ... that helps to solve a case ... ' " -Stuart Schwartz, "Unsolved Mysteries"

Characteristic of both pro­ apprehension must be done distinct public service, but at the grams are the call-in numbers and quickly, so too must lead differen­ same time, the networks are in the the availability of trained inves­ tiation. Several thousand calls business to make money. They tigators to respond immediately to come in-some from cranks, some must maintain a certain audience leads. AMW, for example, uses from well-meaning but not helpful share and attract advertisers. To 1-800-CRIME89 and trained oper­ citizens, and some from people do this, they must bring cases to a ators who relay tips to investiga­ with vital information. All need to successful conclusion. Statistics tors in the studio. be screened so that the good leads are important, and departments Within this partnership, each can be immediately identified and should be careful to give credit player has a specific role. Feeding covered. A workable system is where credit i~ due. As a general information to the public is the essential. rule, a bona fide tip doesn't have business of the television show: The TV program, the law to lead directly to the fugitive, or apprehending the fugitive or solv­ enforcement agency, and the pub­ case solution, but it must be a cat­ ing the case is left to law enforce­ Iic all benefi t when fugi ti ves are alyst, or important link, to that ment. To succeed, the solution or caught and cases solved. Cer­ process. tainly, each program provides a

6 FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin ______•

H 'I see a new relationship emerging between Jaw enforcement and the media.'" -Michael Linder, IlAmerica's Most Wanted"

Pros and Cons James Roberts, who was wanted These television programs There is no question that for rape, mUltiple murders, and also have other benefits outside of crime-time television works! escape from a State prison. At the solving cases and apprehending AMW, for example, has featured time, Roberts was working in a fugitives. They help to revive cit­ over 166 wanted fugitives, 125 of homeless shelter in New York izen cooperation with law enforce­ whom are FBI fugitives. The City earning $18,000 per year. ment and provide an outlet for results of this coverage are stag­ During a stay in the hospital for a citizens to voice their frustrations gering: 78 FBI fugitives were stomach illness, Roberts saw him­ concerning the ever-increasing taken into custody, 9 of which self profiled on television. He then crime rate. were "Top Ten" fugitives. Of the quietly checked himself out and Increasingly, in today's "Top Ten" captures, five were a went into hiding. However, as a society, many people are forced to direct result of AMW's coverage result of the many telephone calls live in areas infested with various of the crime. and leads derived from the pro­ criminal activity. This is taking its One of those captured from gram, a 12-mal1 FBI team cap­ toll in fear, vigilantism, and death. an AMW viewer tip was David tured Roberts 4 days later on These programs give citizens an Staten Island.

------______August 1989 17 EMfWJ M Ai appropriate outlet and a means to States found that 62.5% were rear­ may resort to depictions of gra­ cooperate with law enforcement in rested for a felony or a serious tuitous violence, which peak pub­ the fight against crime. misdemeanor within 3 years. lic interest. This can be counter­ According to Michael Linder: Forty-seven percent of these were productive, since it can lead to "I believe we are witnessing reconvicted and 41 % were charges of sensationalism and tab­ the birth of a new era in citizen returned to prison or jail." These loid TV, which are offensive to involvement. 'America's Most criminals are the focus of crime­ most. More importantly, however, Wanted' has organized some 22 time television-the dangerous this detracts from the credibility of million viewers into the first repeat criminals and serious the network and the police agency nationwide neighborhood watch offenders-those who pose the involved, and therefore, should be association. Our viewers are greatest public risk and those avoided. keeping a sharp eye out for whose capture might result from Finally, vigilantism, copy cat crime and for fugitives. Since widespread pUblicity. crimes, exposure of sensitive tech­ our premiere, we have logged However, with all the bene­ niques, informants or cases, and well over 100 thousand tips fits that can be derived from civil liability can also result from which we have turned over to crime-time television, the iaw crime-time television. proper authorities. Americans enforcement manager should also What To Do If Approached are fed up with crime, and be cognizant of the drawbacks. By Crime-Time Television want to do something about Certain sensitive issues, because it. " they might affect the disposition of Every law enforcement man­ ager should give serious thought to Also, crime-time television the case, must be considered all of the issues before a commit­ can help to reinforce and/or estab­ before a department enters into an ment to become involved in the lish a much needed, long overdue agreement with a network to pro­ production of crime-time televi­ union between law enforcement duce a crime-time television show. sion is made. Granted, the deci­ ancl the media. Too often, police One very significant consid­ sion is not an easy one! However, agencies are cast us ineffective or eration is pretrial pUblicity. Losing the following points will assist in insensitive, so a positive working a case in court because of the pub­ making the right choice: relationship with media represent- licity received on a crime-time TV • Weigh the pros and cons, the advantages and the disadvan­ tages. In effect, do a quick Ninety-eight percent of all American homes cost-benefit analysis. "have at least one television set and that set is \I Make case selections care­ turned on for more than 6 hours a day_ fully. Choose cases that will benefit from widespread pub­ licity. \I Consider public impact. Will atives can do nothing but help an program negates the value" of a the case prompt the public to agency's reputation. fugitive apprehension or case solu­ take action? Does it have an A side argument can be made tion. Then there is the issue of unusual twist or peg that will that quick apprehension of dan­ third-party privacy, which must be capture the public's attention? gerous fugitives reduces crime by respected at all times. • Consider the effect on cur­ cutting back on recidivism, which Another point to remember is rent investigative efforts. Will is a recognized trademark of that a primary objective of a net­ the widespread publicity hinder career criminals. In fact, a recent work is to capture the largest share or side-track the investigation? study based on 16.000 prisoners of the viewing audience. Its exist­ However, always remember released from State prisons in J 1 ence depends on it. Thus, many that a network may proceed ZA

without a department's assist­ ance, especially if it involves a Crooks Catch a Crook controversial case and public information is available. Mark Austin Goodman, booked under the alias of James R. • Consult with departmental Eide, was serving a 75-day sentence for a burglary charge at a legal advisers and the prosecu­ minimum security stockade. On Sunday, May 15, 1988, inmates tor. of the stockade were watching "America's Most Wanted" on the • Designate a staff member to Fox Television network. Goodman was portrayed on the program act as liaison. This individual as one of the U.S. Marshal's Top Ten Fugitives. These same should be familiar with the case inmates recognized Goodman as being James R. Eide, a fellow and know how to work with inmate. the media. The inmates learned from the segment that Goodman was e Establish working rules with wanted for 10 bank robberies in Oklahoma, 6 escapes (1 from a the program' s executives. Federal prison) and numerous other charges in 4 States. The Define what is acceptable ancl inmates then reported Goodman to prison officials, who called what is not. For example, who the hotline. This tip was 1 of 274 from people from across the has film editorial review country who thought they knew Goodman. authority-the TV producer or The corrections officers, in order to guard against his the law enforcement agency'? escape, decided to transfer Goodman to a more secure jail. He Will the network cancel or alter never made it. Goodman escaped from his captors by scaling a the program if it is determined fence around the stockade. The U.S. Marshal's office in West the case will be adversely Palm Beach then initiated a search. Goodman was arrested by affected'? Where will the film­ Jupiter, FL, authorities on May 16, 1988. and turned over to ing take place'? Who will be U.S. Marshals. filmed-on-duty personnel, witnesses, etc'? Will the evi­ dence be compromised if shown on television'? • Establish a catchy call-in involvement in fighting crime. networks to produce cri me-ti me number-one that can be easily Americans now realize that they television programs. The value of remembered. do not have to be passive victims such programs has been proven. • Staff the call-in number with of crime. Rather. they can be Cases have been solved: fugitives trained investigators so that all active participants in the criminal have been apprehended: positive vital information received can justice system. publicity bas been generated. be acted upon immediately. Television will be a strong Crime-time television has made a • Keep track of successes. lr a link between law enforcement. the difference. tip results in a fugitive capture media, and the public well into the or case solution, credit the 21 st century. By getting citizens show and make note of time involved, law enforcement and the si'.ved and public benefit television media have tapped a Footnotes 'Wicke Chambers and Spring /. ,her. Til derived. Hold a press con­ viable investigative resource. Used PI?: !-lOll' 10 Prolllol£' VOl/rse/f: VOl/r Prodl/Cl, ference or issue a press release. properly, this resource can be l'oltr S£'/'I'ic£' or hili!' OrMlllli:lI1ioll Oil Te/el'i­ Ir!form the plIblic (lol/ invaluable to every police depart­ liOil (Rockland, CA: Prima Publishin!! & Communications. 19~7). p. 16. ' ac('oll/pl ishmell ts! ment's crime fighting activities. 'Clarence Jones. !-lOll' 10 Spl'lIk TI': II However, law enforcement SelH)£'{<'II.\(' Malll/a/lI'lIell VOl/'re IIII' Nl'II'S Conclusion needs to know how to use the tele­ tl\liami. FL: Kukar and Co .. Inc .• 1983). p,62, Today, we are witnessing the vision medium to its fullest poten­ 'Verified Ilith Ivlr. Allen Beck. Bureau of birth of a new era in citizen tial. One way is to cooperate with .Iu\tice Stmistics.

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