Unfortunately many missing children occur each day and some are found dead while others are yet to be found. Each of these families feel that their investigation is the most important and that all others should be put aside while the authorities work on theirs. Tell that to the mother in Fort Myers who's baby was stolen at knife point. How about Trenton Duckett's dad who is desparately looking for his son. There are dozens of others in the Florida area that are missing and hope is that they are still alive. Would prioritizing a piece of evidence that would lead to the missing child that could still be alive and saved, be more important than a piece of evidence that leads to a murderer. Now there is room for debate as in one case the processing of the evidence may save a life and in the other it may lead to a murderer. These are decisions that have to be weighed by the law enforcement agency and labratory conducting the tests. It would be nice if the labs only received a few cases a month but to put it realistically, look at your Florida map, look at all the cities and communities. Granted not all will be sending evidence to the lab at the same time but a large number will. Jacksonville, Miami, Tampa, are the larger counties in Florida and the lab processes evidence from murders, rapes, kidnappings, arsons, and many other types of crimes. To think that a police agency is deliberately sitting on their hands and not doing anything is ludicrous. Imagine a police chief or sheriff telling his investigators, "Looks like a good piece of evidence to me. Don't send it to the lab as I really enjoy reading all those blogs about how badly we are doing and it could solve this murder, but I'd rather cause the family and community more concern." Or, the chief or sheriff can say, "Arrest him/her, we don't have a good case yet and when we get to court they can throw it out. We may get sued for false arrest but it will make the bloggers happy." Does anyone remember the OJ and Robert Blake cases? Two fine examples of sloppy police work or so it is written. As for the controversy of the clothing and blanket. If the blanket was readily available and near the victim, I can imagine a total stranger wrapping the victim or carrying the victim in it as it was there. If the suspect had to seek the blanket from another room or closet, there may be merit to knowing the victim. While I know the feeling of frustration is consuming some residents of the area and venting is good, remember, "Patience is a virtue." Roy and Sylvia Brown have waited eight (8) long years for Willie Crain to reveal the wherabouts of Amanda. Crain sits on Death Row, convicted on real evidence and refuses to tell the Brown's anything that will help bring closure to Amanda's death. Until I see real proof that the NPPD is dragging their feet; deliberately not arresting a suspect or so inept that a murderer is roaming free with their knowledge, I have to defend and stand up for their actions. As one can see they keep closed mouth as there are pieces of evidence that only the murderer knows, hopefully during interviews and interrogations, that will be revealed by the suspect and another piece of the puzzle will be complete. Gather the evidence properly, that means that every piece is logged, everyone that touches it is recorded and it is not contaminated. Use real evidence vs circumstantial or speculation. Review the evidence and case with the prosecutor and seal any loop holes the defense may try to create. Rather than me trying to write, explain or defend the actions of any investigative agency, please review the Criminal Justice and Police Standards, http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/CJST/ and read about the training and procedures. Support your local law enforcement! What do you think?

Bud Fisher