SNIPER RAMPAGE REACTION
Published in U.S. News & World Report - November 11, 2002 issue

People, including viewers of the popular television series like "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, " should understand that forensic science is often vital to, but not the cure-all for criminal investigations. Indeed, when it came to investigating this unique sniper, an arbitrary killer of innocent people going about their daily lives, law enforcement faced enormous odds against catching what can surely be called a clandestine terrorist, feeding on power and fear.

Investigative imagination, law enforcement synergy, dogged police work and public vigilance are what will most likely stop and solve these crimes and bring the person(s) responsible to justice, not unreasonable super sleuth expectations or saturation coverage by the media. It can be hoped, the sniper's deadly success won't give Al-Qaeda terrorists ideas or bring copycats killers out from under their rocks.

THE HUNT FOR A KILLER
Published in Time Magazine - November 11, 2002 issue

Everyone should now understand that while forensic science is often vital to criminal investigations, it is not the cure-all.

Investigative imagination, dogged police and public vigilance are what solve crimes, not unreasonable super sleuth expectations or saturation news coverage by the media. I hope the Beltway shooting won't give al-Qaeda terrorists any ideas or cause copycat killers to come out from under their rocks.

THE HUNT FOR A RANDOM SNIPER
Published in the New York Times - October 15, 2002
(the lead letter of six)

To the Editor:
Re: "Endless Frustration but Little Evidence in Search for Sniper'' (front page, Oct. 14):

As a former criminal investigator, I know that forensic science is often vital to, but not the cure-all for, criminal investigations. When it comes to investigating this sniper, an arbitrary killer of innocent people going about their daily lives, law enforcement faces enormous odds against catching what can surely be called a clandestine terrorist.

The investigative imagination, law enforcement synergy, dogged police work and public vigilance that are present in the sniper case will most likely stop and solve these crimes and bring the person or persons responsible to justice -- not unreasonable super-sleuth expectations or saturation coverage by the news media.