By the time Chief of Security arrived the investigation is well under way. The body was already removed from the small storage locker, and in the custody of the CMO. Investigators had determined that the person was not kil led in the immediate area. Additional patrols were called in to assist in searching the vicinity. Customs officers also arrived to help identify the contents of the surrounding storage lockers. Customs was able to determine that the locker with the dead body was not supposed to be in use.
Security who were looking in to the storage compartments in the area found a cargo bay that was unlocked. A records check found that the bay held larger items from several people traveling through the station. When they entered the compartment they found some dark smudged foot prints leading from a heavy container, about 3 meters square. When they moved the container, they found something.... "Commander Ares, we need to show you this....," called the patrol. LA turned to look at that security officer who had spoken to him. "Go ahead," he said, prepared for the update in hopes that there had been a break. Renaud also turned to the officer as well waiting for results. "We found some look over here in this cargo bay. It is the same type as the victim. The bloody foot prints seem to come from under this crate. We were about to move the crate." LA nodded. "Let's get the crate moved. Has anyone scanned the area to see if there is a body underneath?" He left out the fact that the body would probably be pancaked, but that would probably be a given. "Has anyone scanned the blood to build up a genetic profile to identify the person's race and/or identity?" "Yes, sir. We did the scans. There is. of a body underneath, and there is not enough blood for a body to have been crushed by the crate. The type is similar to the victi ms. " LA nodded. His teams were usually on top of things, and it seemed that there was nothing different about this situation. A few techs use a hover lift to move the crate. Under it was more blood. Enough to be where the victim was killed. There was also a sharp line in the blood suggesting that the original location of the crate was just a few feet from where it was found. Aka moved to cover the spot, but still leaving a bloody foot print visible. LA walked over and crouched next tot he footprint, pulling out a tricorder as he approached. He took a quick scan of the footprint to capture the shape in the hopes that it could provide a shoe type and size to, hopefully, help with identifying the individual who owned the show. He glanced toward the reporting officer. "Has the med team provided a time of death? We can use that to access the security camera data, which could prove helpful." Vanessa had remained quiet through most of the discussion since LA arrived. She did not have anything directly to offer the conversation so far, though she was careful to soak up all the information that was being reported. As LA was awaiting his answers about timing, she approached some of the blood and used her own tricorder to try and identify, though color, consistency, and texture, what racial background the victim might have been from. In some ways, it brought back memories of her time as an Operations Manager. "Not yet, sir. The CMO and a team came and got the body already. He promised a report once he had one ready." Before Ares could respond... *** In Sickbay*** In the main sickbay Dr. Khepera and his team moved the body over to the autopsy table. As his technicians began to gather the needed equipment and supplies Dr. Khepera paged the security chief. "Khepera to security chief." "Go ahead, Doctor. This is LA." "I am beginning the autopsy on the victim now. I didn't know if you or one of your team wanted to be present or not?" "I can be there in a few moments," said LA as he glanced toward the rest of the security officers who were working on forensics. Everything was in hand. Also, with Ness and the CO present there were no shortage of brass. "I just have to tie a couple of things up." "No problem. I'll start preliminary non-invasive scans and begin the detailed exam when you get here." ***** The crate covered a pool of blood the size of dinner tray and a healthy amount of splatter. The splatter pattern was consistent with a penetrating wound such as when a significant blood vessel was severed. The blood was not fresh, and had the look and smell of iron based blood. Most likely human, but it also could fit the profile of a couple of other species. The foot print was about a size 10, perhaps 11. The tread pattern suggested a boot, but it was not common within the Federation. After a couple of minutes of processing time, the computer query came back that it was of general Ramesar origin. LA frowned. Well, that sealed it. This does tie the situation to the briefing they received this morning. He glanced toward Nessa since she had suggested working with customs. "We need to get a complete listing of all the Ramesar who were aboard yesterday through this moment." "I can work with Operations and Customs to work on compiling that list. That would allow us to try to include anyone who would just be here randomly for a layover as they were transporting to another location as well as those people who were visiting the station and living on board." She paused, considering whether it would be insulting to LA's team to say the next sentence. With that said, they couldn't worry too much about politeness if it interfered with the investigation's efficiency. "With that said, that list would not include anyone who might have been aboard without going through the proper channels." It was a big station with a lot of access points. (boys?) =================== }}}=) Lisa
