This case study will introduce Jennifer Schuett, kidnapped as an eight-year-old, brutally raped, throat cut and left in a field for dead. Chief Cromie will discuss the challenges of the initial 1990 investigation and working with a child victim. He will discuss the advantages and hurdles of multiple agencies, including the FBI, working together. Jennifer will share her memory of that night, her desire to find her attacker, and moving on with life. Investigators discuss how time becomes an obstacle and an advantage in an eighteen year investigation. Together they will discuss working with the media to find possible witnesses and clues. Advances in technology are discussed, how DNA identified a possible suspect and the steps taken to connect him to Jennifer. Jennifer will talk about highs and lows of the investigation and dealing with multiple detectives over the years. She will describe her experiences, becoming the “Survivor”, and her desire to motivate survivors and professionals who work within the system.
Learning Objectives:
Understanding both the advantages and disadvantages of working with a child victim
Develop strategies needed to review and investigate a cold case
Working knowledge of benefits of multi-agency investigations
