FBI database links long-haul truckers, serial killings

LA Times ^ | April 5, 2009 | Scott Glover

[zaphod3000]

The FBI suspects that serial killers working as long-haul truckers are responsible for the slayings of hundreds of prostitutes, hitchhikers and stranded motorists whose bodies have been dumped near highways over the last three decades.

Federal authorities first made the connection about five years ago while helping police link a trucker to a string of unsolved killings along Interstate 40 in Oklahoma and several other states. After that, the FBI launched the Highway Serial Killings Initiative to track suspicious slayings and suspect truckers.

A computer database maintained by the FBI has grown to include information on more than 500 female crime victims, most of whom were killed and their bodies discarded at truck stops, motels and other locations along popular trucking routes crisscrossing the U.S.

[papasmurf]

Keep your Daughters out of Truck Stops.

.05 /sarc

[papasmurf]

Let me see if I have this straight: Tens of thousands of men on the road alone with thousands of hours each of time un-accounted for.

Therein lies the rub. It's the main reason that their so called theory is a failed attempt to explain why they are not able to protect people, and to put truckers under even more scrutiny.

Truckers are among the most accounted for people in the Country.

First, you have log books, which are verified by Bills of lading, Fuel receipts, food receipts & company phone logs to/from dispatchers, brokers, shippers & receivers.

Then you have weigh stations (and nearly every one has cameras that record when they are closed), then you have regular traffic cameras along every Interstate and many Highways.

Now add in cell phone records, credit card receipts, and Truck Stop surveillance.

Let's not forget the infamous Qualcomm & Highway Master Satellites that about 70% of trucks are equipped with, and GPS if the driver has a laptop.

Unaccounted for? Hardly.

What a shame that our Nations preeminent crime investigation agency would have to stoop to such tactics.

BTW, a LEO doesn't even need a warrant to access any of this info.

[papasmurf]

“Yeow! Looks like the theory works. All the red dots on major interstates would make the existence of trucker serial killer(s) a distinct possibility.”

It could be used to make State Troopers, traveling salespersons, families on vacation, etc., look guilty, as well.

[MeneMeneTekelUpharsin]

Have Ted Kennedy, Bill Clinton or Barney Frank been driving past any of those red dots?

[cherry]

yeah, but truckers are the safest drivers on the road!

[Paige]

Isn’t this a form of “Profiling”.

Remember, an extremely high percentage of truck drivers are white.

[Joe Boucher]

South East Florida here.
Just north of Fort Pierce, Florida there is a rest area on I-95 that has been shut down upon occasion.
Seems a group of prostitutes have put an R.V. they have used to make money.

[Smokin' Joe]

long haul trucker - serial killer.

I wonder how someone is supposed to enter that in their DOT logbook?

[Smokin' Joe]

WHAT BETTER COVER FOR AN SK?

Travelling salesman?

Presidential candidate?

Community organizer?

[WVKayaker]

...millions of places there to put a body.

sssssssshhhhhhh! We like our secrets!

[I Buried My Guns]

DUEL!