Handling High-Profile Evidence Tows

By Randall C. Resch

Of the year’s biggest criminal investigations, one was the high-profile kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie, who disappeared from her Tucson, Arizona home. As part of the FBI’s ongoing investigation, a Range Rover was impounded as a means to potentially discover trace DNA transferred by suspects. In California, a high-profile homicide investigated the death of a Los Angeles teen whose body was discovered in a Tesla owned by a well-known rap artist.

Because few tow companies are official “evidence contractors,” there’s no formal training towers receive on this specific niche. Let this narrative serve as simple reminders expected of operators called to evidence scenarios.

Important: Vehicles with potential evidence require “special care and handling.” Personnel must fully understand “special handling” when chain of custody demands total care and control.

High-Profile Cases & Media Attention

As what happened in the Nicole Brown Simpson case (June 1994), never remove (steal) items from evidence vehicles. Avoid urges to take “souvenirs” or face being arrested and charged with felony tampering, destruction of evidence, and possession of stolen property. If weapons, ammunition, or contraband is observed, notify the impounding agency.

For high-profile cases, a hoard of media will be at the tow location. Towers themselves will likely be filmed as the vehicle is being loaded. Work steadily, professionally and, most importantly, never make statements as they could be mistaken or misconstrued.

During kidnap, sex-crime, and human trafficking investigations, multiple jurisdictions conduct hundreds, if not thousands, of investigative hours. These cases are extremely complicated. In border towns with proximity to international borders, vehicles determined to be “potential evidence” demand specific handling, care, transport, and storage. When improper handling occurs, entire cases can be thrown out and suspects go free.

Burned Vehicles & Body Relocation

Arson fires intentionally hide evidence of crimes. Before loading burned vehicles, peek into burned spaces knowing burned corpses are difficult to recognize.

If a body is inside and you’re asked to relocate the vehicle with the body still inside, this “special request” requires a “yes” response. Our intent is to serve at the highest level possible. If tow management prohibits recovering upside-down vehicles, or moving vehicles in this manner, the company shouldn’t serve as an evidence contractor.

Agency authorizations should allow recovering vehicles upside down or moving vehicles in this manner. Evidence towers do many things beyond the norm at the IC’s request with no hesitation.

Relocation may be necessary due to:

• Officer safety from an unruly crowd • To protect the dignity of the deceased

Tow personnel aren’t authorized to cover or tarp a deceased person in an attempt to shield citizens from viewing a corpse. Covering the body may alter or contaminate valuable evidence. If a body is covered by police investigators or CSI techs, it becomes part of their crime scene.

Common Evidence Scenarios

Towers should know the nature of the investigation first so they can best hook up or transport the evidence vehicle without touching surface locations containing evidence.

When pedestrians are struck and the victim’s body goes under the suspect vehicle, it leaves bits of clothing, fibers, hair follicles, skin and bone fragments, blood, and other trace evidence. Fabric abrasions, marks, or torn material caught underneath are critical pieces of evidence.

When pedestrians are struck and the victim’s body goes over the suspect vehicle, evidence is likely left on the bumper, grill, hood, windshield, or windshield frame. Trace evidence includes fibers, skin and bone fragments, blood, and paint chips. Fabric abrasions or torn materials are commonly found on the vehicle’s surfaces.

Where pedestrians are struck and witnesses describe the suspect vehicle driving “lights-out,” don’t turn on the suspect vehicle’s headlights. Investigators may need to determine whether headlights or taillights were illuminated at the time of impact.

Fingerprint Evidence & Professional Responsibility

Latent prints discovered during investigations are crucial pieces of evidence linking suspects to crimes. Print experts determine whether latent prints are “fresh” or “old.” Mishandled load and tow activities could destroy fingerprint evidence. Wear gloves, but don’t touch vehicle surfaces when possible. If surfaces are unintentionally touched, evidence can be destroyed.

At the onset of tow or transport requests, determine if suspect vehicles have a “Hold for Prints” and whether the vehicle will be stored indoors. Don’t roll windows up or down, which may smear latent prints. Don’t sit in the vehicle.

Never allow anyone access to vehicles without authorization. Refer inquiring parties to the investigating agency. Don’t be afraid to deny access to family members, attorneys, or news media until evidence holds are completely released.

This narrative touches only the tip of what towers should know regarding what it takes to be an evidence provider. When handling evidence tows, providers will be held to higher standards.

Listen carefully to instructions provided at the time of tow or transport. Your professionalism is required because, at some point, towers may be subpoenaed to testify regarding what actions were taken. Operations Editor Randall C. Resch is a retired, veteran, California police officer, former tow business owner and industry advocate. As consultant and trainer, he authored and teaches tow truck operator safety courses approved by the California Highway Patrol. For 57-years, he has been involved in the towing and recovery industry. In 29-years, he has contributed more than 800-safety focused articles for American Towman Magazine, TowIndustryWeek.com and POLICE Magazine. He is a frequent seminar presenter and beauty pageant judge at tow shows. In 2014, he was inducted to the International Towing and Recovery Industry Hall of Fame, was the 3rd recipient of the industry's "Dave Jones Leadership Award," and is a member of American Towman’s Safety Committee.

Email Randy at rreschran@gmail.com.