The Identity Snatcher

1

TW: description of a murder scene (pls let me know if I missed any)

Stepping out of the car, I prepare myself for another typical day at work. The sickening metallic smell of blood wafts through the air the closer I get to the abandoned building. At the entrance, I spot droplets of dried blood signalling the victim put up a good struggle. Cooper, the scene leader, meets me out front,

"Graham, this homicide we're about to see is a step up from the others. Whoever 'The Identity Snatcher' is, they really took their time with these ones."

Not thinking much of it, as homicides are part of everyday life for detectives, I walk into the abandoned building. The stench, however, becomes almost unbearable. Cooper is right, this one is going to be more confronting than other homicides I've investigated. In the middle of the musty abandoned building, two bodies are dangling by chains, with their throats slit. Two pools of blood are congealing below them. A bitter taste fills my throat, much like having chewed aspirin. In all my years of being a detective, I've never seen such a horrific murder.

Not having much time to dwell on the horror of it all, a forensic officer grabs my attention.

"Ah Graham, you're here. We found some abrasions seemingly caused by rope. Whoever these victims are, they sure did put up a good fight."

Taking a second to breathe deeply in order to clear my head, I respond,

"Thank you. If the rope is found we will need to examine it closely for DNA. Do we know who the victims are?"

I asked even though I already knew the answer. If this was like the other two murders, all the victim's IDs would be gone.

"I'm sure you expect this but yet again, if there was any ID on them, it's long gone." states the forensic officer.

Whoever this serial killer is, they seem to steal all the victim's IDs and then pose as them online, making it impossible for us to identify them. Hence, having gained the name 'The Identity Snatcher'. Taking a deep breath, I prepare for what I consider the worst aspect of being a detective, examining the scene. Cooper was certainly right. This homicide is more gruesome and definitely messier than the others. More mess means more room for error and a higher likelihood of finding evidence.

Fighting the urge to throw up and walk away, I inspect the homicide scene, looking for possible missed evidence. While finding evidence has been equally as hard as finding a needle in a haystack in the previous 'Identity Snatcher' homicide scenes, something feels different about this one. I have a feeling 'The Identity Snatcher' may have left something behind. In a corner behind a stack of boxes, something catches my eye.

"Cooper, did your team find something behind these boxes in their first search?"

No one mentioned evidence being behind the boxes in the briefing. While missing evidence is common in the first initial search, no mistakes can be made with this case.

"No, why? Did you see something?"

"Maybe. Something caught my eye but it could be nothing. I'll check it out just to be certain."

Rounding the boxes, I spot a tiny shimmering key partially submerged in a pool of blood that stands out like a sore thumb. For making the building look like a slaughterhouse, 'The Identity Snatcher' sure was sloppier this time around. Finally, something that could turn this investigation around.

"Get this key to forensics. We need to see if there's any DNA on it."

I didn't expect 'The Identity Snatcher' to make this murder so confronting. Taking a moment to compose myself, I've decided I've seen enough. The key along with the other evidence found should be sufficient.

"Let's take the evidence back to the lab for examination and let the cleanup crew do their job."

The drive back to the station was hard. Not only was I thinking about the possible new leads we have, but I was also thinking about how confronting it all was. While I've seen and solved many homicides in my career, I've learned to not let them affect me. You learn to only see them from a statistical and logical perspective. Not to say they don't have an effect on me, but because it's part of the job. Over time homicides almost become to feel normal.

My thoughts are disrupted by Cooper calling me.

"Graham, we have the forensic results for the key. They found fingerprints but they're too messed up to identify."

Our one main lead is already proving to be almost useless. Fingerprints are an easy identifier but that's not to say there's not other DNA we can use.

"Did they find any other DNA to use?"

"They're testing for that now. Let's meet back at the station to look at the other evidence found at the scene."

Stepping out of the car, I come to the conclusion that the job of a homicide detective is often confronting and eye opening. Sometimes our job changes us for the better or for the worse. 

A/N: hey! so this was originally a short story for my English assignment. I will probably extend it if I have time