20 December 2012

I was tired and awake for some time.

Did a whole lot of case reviews at work last night, before being called out to a domestic. 'Tis the season, afterall.

Night before was a stabbing outside a take-away, over some 'disrespect'. Last night was a domestic about money.

One year one of Mum's boyfriends went out on a bender - drank the money she'd been saving for presents and Christmas dinner. She threatened him with the bread knife. Thankfully he left before she took it any further. Sometimes I forget that when it came to us kids, she could dish it out as well as take it. When people got on the wrong side of her she had a nasty streak herself. Not surprising, really.

Anyway, the point of all this is it reminded me of an Op I was going to talk about. I suppose, mainly, we think about victims of crime, and we hope to find the attacker, partly because that's a dangerous person off the streets, but also so the family and friends of the victim can have that closure of knowing that justice has (hopefully) been done.

Sometimes, we don't find the killer.

More rarely, we don't even know who the victim is. Seems amazing, in this day and age, but around the country, there are probably about 1000 bodies which have never been identified. Seemingly destined forever to stay in cold storage, and never be laid to rest.

Thames Valley have launched Op Nightingale recently, to try and identify some of theirs. Maybe have a little look. You never know - you might spot your old next door neighbour, or that bloke who used to sleep rough near the bus stop...


89 comments:

pandabob said...

I've never understood why supposedly happy time always bring out the worst in people but it always seems to be the case :-( I heard that there's always a spike in cases around big sporting events as well.

I'd never really considered the idea that victims aren't always identified, how does someone die in any way and no one notice?

I hope you're having a relaxing evening and that you didn't get too much sleep during the day ;-)

Small Hobbit said...

It seems very sad that there are people who aren't missed by anyone - no family, no friends; no-one to either notice that you're not around or respond to an appeal to identify the body.

Greg Lestrade said...

supposedly happy - but also stressful, lots of people trying to 'do the right thing', play nice with the family, the in-laws, spending way too much money and drinking too much booze.

The sports is more about the alcohol and the emotions running high.

As for the unidentified victims...yeah. I don't know if it's more sad or less. Sometimes it's kind of nice to think they're not missed... other times very sad. And we can't know if it was by their choice or not.


I shall be ready to try and force my body clock back to 'real time' tonight!

pandabob said...

why do we spend Christmas with people we spend the rest of the year trying to avoid? it makes no sense and yes probably explains the problem.

Good luck with sleep when you get to that point, I've lost the ability over the last few days but I'm hoping practice will make perfect again at some point ;-)

Greg Lestrade said...

Hah, well, I'm planning to spend it with the people I don't get to see enough, this year :)

Good luck on the sleep front - school holidays, especially as exciting a holiday as Christmas, wouldn't seem to suggest good sleeping patterns.

pandabob said...

That sounds like a plan for a great Christmas Greg :-)

sleep is what it is or what it isn't and there is very little about it that can be controlled especially when you have small bundles or elbows and knees living with you ;-)

REReader said...

There are periodic stories on the news in New York trying to get people to submit DNA samples if there are any family members who have gone missing, deliberately or otherwise, because the NYC Medical Examiner's office has a large federal grant to help with using DNA and forensic anthopology in identifying human remains and finding missing people--but without DNA from family members, or from the person, there's nothing to match the remains to. I do find it sad, but not very surprising, that there are so many unindentified remains here, because New York is one of those places that people go to disappear.


I hope you get a good rest tonight, both of you, L and John, despite the excitement of a SHOW tomorrow... :) (But I do hope it!)

(Oh, and I like the double applicability of your blog post today, L!)

Greg Lestrade said...

Thank you. Fairly proud of the title myself.

AnonyBob - yeah, the small bundle I sleep with will hopefully not try fighting the floor tonight. And the elbows and knees will definitely wake us up early - even though the show isn't until the afternoon!

pandabob said...

better the floor than something that can fight back but I should think having you around to restrain him will ensure its not a problem ;-)

I hope Sherlock sleeps well because he will need all his energy for the show :-)

Just in case I don't get chance to say it tomorrow Good luck to both of you in your performances and don't you go letting Sherlock down ;-)

Greg Lestrade said...

AnonyBob - after three night without him, I imagine I'll be hugging him like a limpet on a rock!

We shall try not to let Sherlock down! I'm not sure if we get marks out of ten, or if he just tells Santa we've been bad if we mess up...

John H. D. Watson said...

I look forward to the limpet impression. Just can't sleep without your icy feet anymore.

Greg Lestrade said...

You're just too hot for your own good...

Small Hobbit said...

Have a great day all of you. Best wishes to you for the performance today - we look forward to hearing all about it.

A from NW said...

*pops out of hiding*

Good with your performaces tonight! ^.^ I'm sure everything will go off spectacularly well!

(Work has not gotten better. I may have to resign to protect my personal integrity and shield myself from legal responsibility. It's a mess.)

~A from NW (who is back on the job hunt while on holiday)

Greg Lestrade said...

Sorry to hear that, A. I hope you can find a new job where you're appreciated.

Sherlock was very excitable this morning. John and Mycroft and I started the day by riding out and having a nice calm walk... Because the calm will end very soon, as performance time approaches...

Anonymous said...

Mrs N must be having an incredible day, with every kid in the class trying to bounce off the walls. Have you planned a post-performance treat (it is cake season after all) for everyone?

AfNW, good luck in finding another job. I hope an excellent opportunity shows up for you soon!

rsf

REReader said...

I was just thinking that very thing, about Mrs N and excited performers, rsf!

Best of good luck on that job hunt, AfNW. I hope you find a good job for the New Year.

Sounds like a perfect counterbalance for the approaching show time, L--have a lovely quiet time, all three of you!

Greg Lestrade said...

I think she has a few parents in to help with the chaos - especially when it's time for costumes and things.

Sherlock also casually dropped into conversation this morning that we should bring cakes or biscuits for the after-party. I said it would have been nice to have a bit more notice, but got a stare and ' but there's ALWAYS cakes and biscuits'... So Mycroft and I also baked, and John decorated.

REReader said...

Heh heh--at least he mentioned it, instead of asking where they were when you showed up! (What kind did you make? :))

Greg Lestrade said...

Well...

That broke all possible expectations I had for chaos. And i had pretty high ones.

John H. D. Watson said...

Could've been worse...

REReader said...

Oh, please don't leave us hanging there! What happened? How was Sherlock (brilliant, I'm sure!), how was the music, how did the goat react to the spotlight?

Greg Lestrade said...

It was less 'The nativity' more 'Apocalypse Now'.

John H. D. Watson said...

It was really only a very small fire. More smoke than actual flames.

Greg Lestrade said...

The children appreciated it more than the goat or the teachers, though.

REReader said...

Fire?!?

John H. D. Watson said...

Yeah, I've seldom seen a goat run that fast.

Greg Lestrade said...

Less a fire, more a flaming meteor signalling the end of life as we know it.

And yes, that goat was nimble on its hooves

Sherlock said...

It was a STAR.

REReader said...

After all, stars do burn!

How did your dancing go, Sherlock, did you get lots of applause? Did Lestrade play his songs right?

Greg Lestrade said...

Mm, burning on their own in space is a bit different to turning into a blazing fireball and scaring goats...

REReader said...

I'm not sure about the not scaring goats, but yes, that is a significant difference. :)

John H. D. Watson said...

Lestrade played very well and was fortunately close to the stage when the star's lighting gel started to smoke.

Greg Lestrade said...

You were the one who leapt to turn the star off (bad luck, baby jesus) and stop the end of the world...

REReader said...

Aha! So a malfunctioning prop then. Much better than most of the alternatives that come to mind. (And yay, two heroes!) (Yes, I think it would qualify. Definitely.)

I hope no injuries were sustained in smothering the star? (Aside from those to Christian theology, that is... :D)

pandabob said...

Well that sounds like a run of the mill school play ;-)

I'm glad you were there to save the day guys and that you put on a good performance :-)

John H. D. Watson said...

You got the goat and kept the children from crowd surfing the audience in an attempt to find their mums though.

Apocalypse: http://audioboo.fm/boos/1124953-end-of-the-world-here-s-how-bbc-radio-4-will-announce-it

Greg Lestrade said...

Is a spotlight a prop? dunno.

If anyone was going to crowdsurf it would be me! I'm the wannabe rock star! :)

Was just lucky catching the goat before it got the hell outta Bethlehem...

John H. D. Watson said...

Ha. You and Sherlock...

Yeah, the goat was definitely making a break for greener pastures.

REReader said...

Is a spotlight a prop? dunno.

Technical difficulties, anyway!

Did they go back to finish the show, or was that the cue for curtain?

Greg Lestrade said...

While sherlock made for the cakes. I worry they must think we dont feed him at home.

John H. D. Watson said...

it's not even as if we don't feed him cake...

Greg Lestrade said...

Exactly!

RR - the show went on. Although Sherlock had done his bits, so was all for abandoning it.

REReader said...

That's the team spirit! :D

I'm sure the other parents have their own bottomless pits, so know how to interpret... :)

Anon Without A Name said...

Sounds... eventful :-) I take it the Holmes and Lestrade performances were well received? And the Watson/Lestrade heroics were properly appreciated?

Sherlock said...

I said we should have a smoke machine the real smoke was smelly and Mrs T had to open the doors once the goat was caught.

I got a good report and that means I GET A JACKET.

REReader said...

YAY, SHERLOCK!! Well done for earning a good report!

(Real smoke does smell very nasty. Very.)

Greg Lestrade said...

Mrs N was very impressed with how you settled in. she says you've done really well.

And RR - depends on the smoke! some is lovely.

REReader said...

Heh. I qualify: House (or school or similar building) fire smoke is very nasty.

Small Hobbit said...

Glad to hear it all went so well ;) Or at least as well as could be expected. Probably best that L wrangled the goat, considering J's previous goat encounters.

John H. D. Watson said...

I agree completely!

Greg Lestrade said...

The goat was probably making a break for John, not scared of the flaming star at all.

John H. D. Watson said...

You can handle all goat related problems in future.

Greg Lestrade said...

Don't know if I can add goat-wrangler to my cv.

John H. D. Watson said...

I was thinking of putting it in the wedding vows. To have and to hold, to goat wrangle and clean up glitter...

Greg Lestrade said...

Oh yeah... what should I get you to say?

"In sickness and in health, with cold feet or warm, until inside-out socks make him leave me..."

John H. D. Watson said...

It'd take more than inside out socks. Don't forget, I wore a farting unicorn hoodie for you, in public!

Greg Lestrade said...

Oh, no, no, no, you may have worn a hoodie for me, but the choice of farting unicorn was all yours! (and Sherlock's), nowt to do with me, Treacle.

I'm going to make some mulled wine. Help me drink it?

John H. D. Watson said...

I would love to.

Mycroft said...

Can I try some?

Greg Lestrade said...

Err...yeah, as far as I'm concerned. But you better ask your Nanny...

John H. D. Watson said...

It's all right with me too, just not too much.

Sherlock said...

CAN I?

REReader said...

(A show of hands from anyone who did not see that coming...)

Greg Lestrade said...

You can have a sip. And I'll make you some hot juice with all the same spices.

Greg Lestrade said...

..I have persuaded Mrs H to join us for mulled wine. She is already looking slightly pink...and attempted to 'measure John up' for his jumper...

REReader said...

I'm sure it was entirely a question of craftsmanship!

Did it taste nice, Sherlock?

Sherlock said...

My juice is nicer.

REReader said...

(I would agree. :))

John H. D. Watson said...

I've never been more thoroughly measured...

Greg Lestrade said...

I take that as a challenge...

Sherlock...your juice is sweeter, and...yeah. I'm glad you like it. When you try wine when you're older you may find you like the flavour more.

Desert Wanderer said...

I wonder if the goat was related in any way to a certain bomb-proof-pant-eating goat of Doc's...acquaintance?

Greg Lestrade said...

DW - I think the goats of the world are slowly closing in on John...

John H. D. Watson said...

And I don't even have my bomb and goat proof pants anymore...

Greg Lestrade said...

I'll get Mrs H to knit you some for Christmas.

Some to go with the jumper I'll be buying you, maybe...

http://www.thepoke.co.uk/2012/12/21/christmas-jumper-of-the-day/

John H. D. Watson said...

Now that is a horrible Christmas jumper.

Greg Lestrade said...

I just...don't get the difference...

pandabob said...

I hope you've had/are having a relaxing evening gents and that Sherlock settled to sleep ok ready for the excitement of his holidays :-)

Greg Lestrade said...

I will let you take a guess about him going to bed, based on fires, escaped goats, cake, more cake, end of term and Christmas...

pandabob said...

I'm guessing not good?

Its going to be a long long holiday!!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a very memorable day! Did the other Mrs. H stay for mulled wine? (I'm assuming it wasn't the boys' mum who was measuring John for knitting purposes.)

On the whole though, I think you've lucked out. It's much better to deal with a bouncy Sherlock than a traumatized goat.

rsf

Greg Lestrade said...

AnonyBob - he did eventually calm down enough to go to bed, and hopefully, by now, asleep.

RSF - no, the other Mrs H had to go after the 'after-show Party' at school. But has promised she will return...

I think the goat took it all quite well. I'm fairly certain it will have gone to bed earlier than Sherlock, anyway...

pandabob said...

I hope you all get a good nights sleep before whatever strange adventures the Holmes/Watson/Lestrade household manages to dream up tomorrow :-)

Greg Lestrade said...

He has, unbelievably, been up again since I last commented! Trailed down here asking if we could go and buy baubles tomorrow...

I'm not sure we're ready to brave the crowds...

Anonymous said...

This time of year I try to aim for first thing in the morning if I have to shop. Not that it always helps, but at least once I'm done I have the rest of the day to collapse!

rsf

Greg Lestrade said...

I'd be half tempted to go out early, but I'd need a crowbar to lever John out of bed...

John H. D. Watson said...

I'm sure I could manage to get up as early as most shops open...

Greg Lestrade said...

Well, we did it. And it was quiet - mainly because the weather is completely shit. Cold, heavy rain, windy... So we ducked in and out of places and are home already!

Anonymous said...

Excellent! Now you can enjoy your baubles and maybe cook something special.

rsf

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