The Imposter by Judith Townsend Rocchiccioli Read Free Book Online Page A

you know, pubic hair, oral,
anal, vaginal and rectal swabs, that kind of stuff.  We also got some skin and
blood that we found under her nails.  She must have gotten one swipe at him
before he beat her into submission." Jack paused for a few moments while
Monique and Alex watched the emotions of hate and rage cross his face.  He continued,
his jaw clenched, "I'd like to kill the SOB." Neither Monique nor
Alex doubted the intensity of Jack's desire for true justice.
    "Is
there any forensic evidence other than what you've just told us, Jack?"
Alex looked at him, expectantly.
    "Labs
aren't back yet.  We don't know if we're even going to get the PEPA and the PGM
-- you know, those semen tests -- because too much time may have gone by."
Jack shook his head.  "I sure hope we can nail him with the
forensics."
    "You
got to catch him first, Françoise." Dr.  Desmonde reminded the Commander.
    Jack
raised his eyebrows and glared at the shrink.  "Not to worry, Doc, not to
worry.  I'll get 'em.  In fact, I plan to get him soon.   You know me, Get Back
Jack," the stocky police Commander declared to  the psychiatrist.
    Alex
was deep in thought.  As a nurse and an attorney, she knew the proper
collection of forensic evidence was critical for a court conviction of a
rapist.  She also knew that semen usually contains three genetic markers at
levels adequate enough to allow for routine typing for evidence. 
Unfortunately, PEPA decreases within three hours after intercourse and PGM
would not survive for more than six hours. Consequently, the early gathering,
testing, and analysis of the semen specimen was pivotal to building a
successful case.  The semen genetic markers were ABO blood group antigens and
testing was done by quantitative electrophoresis analysis.  Since the genetic
markers occur in variable amounts in different populations, their presence or
absence in combination with each other often were used to arrive at a
percentage or likelihood of whether the suspect is the rapist or not. 
Hopefully, the comparison of the crime scene evidence with blood and hair
samples from the suspect would provide compelling evidence in court and would
render a guilty verdict.
    Alex
continued to review her knowledge of forensic medicine and asked, "Jack,
how do the experts handle the bite marks on her back and shoulder? Who did you
call in to look at that?" She shuddered as she thought about Angie being
bitten by her attacker.
    "Damn
bastard, a real animal.  SOB must be crazy.  Probably one of your patients,
Monique! Have you thought about that possibility?" Jack turned toward the
psychiatrist, flashing his angry, dark eyes.
    "Yes."
Monique practically hissed at him.  "I've thought about it, Françoise! Do
you think I'm an idiot? That's all I have been thinking about since this
morning! I've got the team working on it now, looking at charts and putting
together a profile among the inpatients." Dr.  Desmonde glared at the
Commander from across the table, barely able to conceal her anger.
    Alex
ordinarily would have interceded between the two, but knew Jack and Monique had
been friends since childhood and were actually pretty close.  Alex also knew
that Jack was uncharacteristically affected by this rape because of his
fondness for Bridgett and Angela.   It would be difficult for the psychiatrist
and the police Commander to be completely objective on this one.  And, me as
well, Alex thought.  Angie and Bridgett have been my friends since I've
been here.
    Alex
asked again, "What about the bite marks, Jack? What do you make of
them?"
    "Don't
know yet.   The crime guys photographed it and were smart enough to include a
reference scale this time." Jack rolled his eyes and told Alex and Monique
both about the time that the NOPD crime team had forgotten to use a reference
scale with the bite mark.  "When we got to court, the evidence was useless
because there was no reference scale with which to compare the size of the bite
with the