Hot Topics in Investigation: Target's Forensic Lab, 1989 Conviction Changes, Using Downtime to Increase Business
- January 03, 2014
- by Kimberly Faber
- In the News
- Social Media
Retail Giant Target Has a Top-Rated Forensic Services Laboratory
Target's behind the scenes blog, "A Bullseye View" revealed that, unbeknownst to many, the retail giant has a top-rated forensic services laboratory. The lab is accredited by the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board. According to the article, the team is small and includes a former criminalist for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and Target "lifer" who has worked with the company in various capacities for over 16 years.
Excerpt:
"Based in Las Vegas and Minneapolis, the forensic team helps solve organized retail crimes committed at Target stores through video and image analysis, latent fingerprint and computer forensics. The team also tackles felony, homicide and special circumstances cases for law bureaus that need the extra manpower, facilities, resources and time – free of charge."
With the overall goal being to keep Target shoppers and employees safe, the individuals who work in the lab process and catalog evidence and turn it over to investigators.
Despite New Evidence, Review of Conviction in 1989 Brooklyn Killing Stalls
23 Years ago Jonathan Fleming was sent to prison for the murder of Darryl Rush, though he still insists he did not commit it. A recent article revealed that new evidence may lead to his release.
Excerpt:
"An eyewitness to the August 1989 shooting recanted her testimony about seeing Mr. Fleming at the scene, saying she had lied under pressure from the police and in exchange for having felony charges against her dropped. Another witness was revealed to have been smoking crack the night she said she saw Mr. Fleming with a gun in his hand as Darryl Rush lay dying outside a Brooklyn housing project."
Investigators have been conducting interviews with a number of witnesses, revealing that one was not wearing her glasses at the time of the event and that another, who was frightened and on probation, admitted that she had lied about what she saw during the trial. A cousin of Fleming was interviewed for the first time in November, according to the article, when he revealed that another person at the scene of the murder fired the shot.
What Do You Do in Your Downtime to Increase Your Business?
Members of the PI Marketing LinkedIn Group have been discussing how to use free time to help boost business. While some focus on contacting current and former clients, others turn to SEO and managing their websites.
Excerpt:
"I will normally use the time for SEO on my websites. I update forms I use in the business and I will either go out and try to sell services or send out advertisements. I will normally check with the small business center to see what free classes are being offered mostly dealing with how to run a business."
While some group members were surprised to see such a focus on keeping websites updated, others spend their time brainstorming new ideas, checking competitors websites, reviewing old files for reopen potential, and sending letters to new law firms introducing their business and services.
Other News and Conversations
- The Truth About Deception
- Surveillance: Frequently Asked Questions
- Your Local Chamber of Commerce: Does it Work for You?
From Around The Web
- Conversations with a Suspected Serial Killer
- Hoaxes that Fooled the World
- From Death Row to New Life
We're testing out a new format for our Hot Topics articles. Comment to let us know what you think!