The Profiler
Posted on Sun Aug 14th, 2016 @ 1:43pm by Lieutenant Commander Thomas Byrne & Lieutenant Commander Marit Lantry M.D., Ph.D. & Warrant Officer Marcus Lazlo
Mission:
Brave New World
Location: Security Department, Starbase 332
Timeline: Shortly after Security responds to the homicide scene on the Promenade
Unlike on most starships, crime was a way of life on stations as large as 332. Prostitution, illegal gambling, trade, theft, were just some of the crimes one could expect to encounter here, thanks in large part to the station's transient population and the sheer size of the place. Just like in any city, resources had to be used efficiently in responding to crime aboard the station, and while it was obviously true for departments like security, it was equally true for the station's mental health services, who were expected and ethically obligated to tend to the needs of crime victims and witnesses alike as well as provide psychological expertise to any on-going investigations. They were expected, of course, to do a triage of sorts, with violent crimes such as rape, domestic violence, assaults and batteries taking priority over less violent offences.
Certainly, this also included murder, which fortunately, Marit hadn't needed to contend with - until now. The news of the crime reached her as it always did, via computer, any time security reported a crime identified to be potentially violent in nature or involving potentially traumatized victims or witnesses. In this case, naturally, there would likely only be the latter. Upon receiving the notification, Dr. Lantry jumped up from her chair and headed directly to the Security Chief's Office. No matter how badly she wanted to visit the scene, protocol still demanded she wait to be officially called in. Besides, she reasoned, any witnesses in need of questioning were likely going to be brought to the office anyway. At least she hoped that was the case, if they were following trauma informed protocol.
Smiling politely to the desk clerk as she entered, Marit offered, "Dr. Marit Lantry from the crime victim/witness response team responding to the 187. Is the Chief or any of his seniors available? I didn't want to trample over the scene uninvited, but I would like to offer my assistance."
"Commander Byrne is in his office right now, being briefed on the situation," the desk clerk responded. He pointed over in the direction of the circular office with glass walls, positioned in the middle of the bullpen. Inside the command could be seen talking with three other security officers, but their conversation couldn't be heard from outside the office. "They should be through in a moment," the clerk added.
"Thank you," Marit replied to the clerk. She anticipated not being able to meet with the chief right away, so she took a seat and began to review some of her notes from earlier in the day as she waited.
As the conversation in the office finished up, the group of four headed towards its exit out into the bullpen, and as the doors opened, the end of their conversation could be heard. "Have your people canvass the area around the shop for any witnesses. The computer may be able to help place anyone wearing a combadge that was near the area during our time of death window too. Detective, you and the Chief head over to the victims quarters. Take some of Lieutenant Engstrom's people to help you go over the place, see if there's anything there that might be relevant to the case."
"Will do, Chief," Lazlo said, nodding, "But I'll be surprised if anyone was actually wearing a combadge. I'm betting this is civilian," He explained. "Detectives instinct," He added for clarity.
"You're probably right," Byrne agreed. "But we should do our due diligence until a clearer picture emerges. You've all got your tasks, so let's get to it."
Taking note that he was done giving orders and heading in the direction of his office, Marit stood and moved toward him, closing the gap between them in short order. "Lieutenant Commander Byrne, do you have a moment? I'm Doctor Marit Lantry, Chief Counselor, and I was wondering if I could provide some psychological assistance for your current murder investigation. I'm the lead on the victim/witness response team, here to help with interviews and such."
"Ah, Doctor. Counselor?" Byrne said, unsure which honorific to use. "I'm sure your assistance would be greatly appreciated." He motioned for Lazlo to come back over to the pair. "This is Detective Lazlo, he's been running point on the investigation so far."
"Ma'am," Laz said with a polite nod as he offered her a hand to shake.
"Detective," Marit offered with a polite nod. "I'm not here to get in your way, but to offer whatever psychological assistance I can and that you would find useful."
"What sort of experience do you have working with criminal cases?" Byrne asked. "Do you specialise in witness/suspect interviews, profiling...?" he let the question trail off, not wanting to list all of the possible ways a psychologist could be involved in such a case individually.
"A little of everything," Marit answered, pleased with his specificity. "I've worked most closely with witness/suspect interviews and crisis counseling for primary and secondary victims, but I've also done some profiling as well."
"Sounds good. This could be an open and shut case if the evidence we collected pans out, but I know better than to expect that," Laz said, laughing a bit. "We could probably use a profiler and a witness/suspect interrogator," He added, looking over at Byrne.
"Agreed," Byrne said, nodding along to the warrant officer. "I'll leave you in the capable hands of the detective here. I'll let him decide where we can best utilise your skills for now. Keep me informed of anything that comes up," he told the both of them.
Laz nodded, "No problem, boss," He replied, then turned back to Lantry, "As soon as I get final word back on the evidence I'll give you a buzz. If it's the killer's blood, we're good, if it's not, we'll probably need a hand," He said, nodding.
Lt. Commander Thomas Byrne
Chief of Station Security
Warrant Officer Marcus Lazlo
Criminal Investigator
&
Lt. Commander Marit Landry
Chief Counsellor
Starbase 332
