The search for whoever fatally stabbed four University of Idaho students last month includes examining an enormous amount of biological and digital evidence, a kaleidoscope of potential clues.
A break could come at any moment, from a confession or the thousands of tips submitted to police. But in the absence of a sudden development, investigators are relying on forensic techniques to tackle a case, in a time-consuming process that appears unusually complex, according to a half-dozen experts in crime-scene analysis and evidence gathering.
Although blood can be a crucial source of DNA, investigators don’t know from the start which is the victims’ and which could be from a suspect. The same thing goes for other potential clues left behind. So investigators have to collect a lot of specimens.
Police have also faced criticism from students and the local community for not providing more information about their investigation, including why they believe the stabbings were a “targeted attack.” Police have also released conflicting statements about the ongoing threat to the public. “With four victims and multiple bedrooms and multiple floors of a house, each room becomes a scene unto itself,” Ryan said.
The FBI has assigned nearly 50 investigators to the case, while the state police has placed more than a dozen investigators and forensic experts to provide testing and analysis to help Moscow’s team of six detectives. The lack of an arrest has unsettled the University of Idaho, where many students have chosen not to return to campus for the remainder of the semester, or are asking for police escorts around campus. Family members of victims have also expressed frustration.
Experts stress that investigations like this one are nearly impossible to work quickly given the level of evidence that needs to be processed and the potential for mistakes.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Frustration surrounds murder of four University of Idaho students“At this time, no suspect has been identified, and only vetted information that does not hinder the investigation will be released to the public,” Moscow Police Department (MPD) said.
Read more »
Police address stalker rumor in University of Idaho murders investigationOn Monday, police released information on their investigation into the rumor that one of the murdered University of Idaho students had a stalker. FOX13
Read more »
'Gifts to this world': 2 surviving roommates break silence after University of Idaho murders'I wish every day that I could give them all one last hug,' a roommate said.
Read more »
Idaho police to return slain university students' belongings to families | CNNMoscow police on Wednesday will begin returning to their families some personal belongings of the four University of Idaho students found slain last month, the department said.
Read more »
Idaho police to return slain university students' belongings to familiesMoscow police on Wednesday will begin returning to their families some personal belongings of the four University of Idaho students found slain last month, the department said.
Read more »
Cops, FBI still have no leads in University of Idaho slayings —leaving victims’ parents angryThree weeks after four students were found stabbed to death in their off-campus house, local investigators are still struggling to nail down a suspect.
Read more »