I'm not so sure I believe this statement by them:
"Investigators are awaiting Bearsons final autopsy and toxicology reports, as well as items theyve sent to the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for forensic testing, he said."
They've previously stated that the crime lab is giving this case top priority and yet 3 months later and they're saying NOTHING is back yet? Hard to swallow.
Time to set up a reward fund and see if that doesn't get a few tips rolling in. Sure, they'll get some bogus tips but what the heck, it's worth a shot since they apparently have nothing now. And they need to set up that reward fund ASAP before people forget all about this case.
I absolutely believe that statement. Given that there are only 2 BCA forensic labs in the state of Minnesota, even a "top priority" case will have delays. I don't claim to have knowledge of how long the backlog of cases is at the BCA, but I am not surprised by a delay in these types of cases. Especially not with toxicology and other forensic testing. Plus, with the past issues of the St. Paul Police Crime Lab, it is my understanding that more drug testing cases have been sent directly to the BCA for testing, which could also result in a backlog. (
http://blogs.mprnews.org/cities/2013/08/st-paul-police-crime-lab-back-up-and-running-after-scandal/) **NOTE: this is NOT the BCA lab in St. Paul, this is the crime lab from the St. Paul Police. Two different labs.**
Even outside of these delays, I also keep an open mind to other things the labs might be testing. For example - if TB's death was related to a beating, it is possible a weapon of some sort was used. Final autopsy may be withheld pending identification of a weapon that matches the injuries. (not saying that's the case, but it's a theory that has been thrown out there. Plus, we don't know what outside items the investigators have sent to the BCA. But it's a possibility, right?)
Here's another thing that should be considered: DNA testing. If DNA is recovered from the items sent to the BCA or on TB's body, then that DNA will most likely also be subject to testing, resulting in additional delays. I am assuming (I know, I know) that TB had blood on his body. It would be important to test that blood to ensure it was his. If a different blood type was found on his body, for example, then that blood would most likely be tested...resulting in another delay while that is being tested. Then, if they have other blood/DNA found on other items, then that blood/DNA would also be tested against the blood/DNA found on other things to determine if it came from more than one person, etc. - and even submitting DNA to a national database and hoping for a match can take time, as well, with no guarantees anyone will be matched. I don't know if that has happened here, but if it has, it could be another reason for a delay.
I know it is frustrating to not have information. In this day and age, when we have so much information at our fingertips, it's hard to have blanks in our story. But the police in this case don't have any control over the lab and how long it takes them to complete a test. And while it is grating to have to wait for these results, I'd rather have them take a while and be done right than rush along and end up with something that couldn't be used in court, or ruin the evidence, etc. I have patience because I have faith in science. Witness statements and memory can change/fade over time. Social media statements can be construed any way to match the interpretation we want it to have. But science? Facts and data that can be reproduced and confirmed in separate, non-partisan labs? That's the type of thing we hope for in a case.
Right now, I don't think 3 months is an unreasonable amount of time given we don't know cause of death or items sent to the BCA for testing. I might change my mind in another 3 months, but right now, I'm okay with waiting. I don't fault anyone for having impatience - this case has gone on for a while already, and I know that historically, the longer the wait, the less likely it is to be solved. I'm just hoping that the delays with the testing are because there's actual evidence that will help solve the case, and that's why it's taking a long time.
My own opinion, of course.
