LIMESTONE — When personnel at Loring Air Force Base need a modern-day Dick Tracy they rely upon the members of the security police investigation team.
The team, made up of three investigators, is responsible for solving minor crimes committed at the military installation.
Crimes at Loring range from breaking and entering to vandalism to theft of personal property, said Tech. Sgt. Kirk S. Balash, who is in charge of the investigation section.
“If a major crime like assault, rape or murder happens, we could also be called upon to work with the Office of Special Investigations on base to help solve it,” he said.
Balash said to be good “snoops” at the scene of a crime, members of the team have to be able to look for things out of the ordinary.
“Anything can help,” he said. “Fingerprints, footprints, a matchbook, even a piece of clothing.”
Balash said a misconception people have is that the team may take fingerprints, put them into a computer, and have it spit out the name of a suspect.
“We can take all the fingerprints in the world,” he said. “But if we don’t have any leads or any suspects to match the prints up with, they don’t do us a lot of good.”
Of the 55 cases the team has taken on so far this year, 85 percent have been solved. Some are still open for investigation.
Because the team works regular day shifts, Balash said they sometimes rely on the law enforcement’s night shift to be their eyes and ears.
“If they have some time after doing their night duties, they might help us by watching a building or a person for us,” he added.
In addition to investigating crimes, the team has other duties as well. They handle lost and found items, store evidence and maintain the lot used for impounded vehicles.
Team members also have the responsibility of performing as negotiators during a hostage situation.
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