Free Profile of Evil by Alexa Grace

killers often prefer a particular area for their body dumps. Ted Bundy favored the Taylor Mountain Forest where he dumped many bodies or body parts, especially heads. He'd toss the head fifty feet from the road, or if he was thinking clearly, he'd bury his victims' heads."
    "Not liking the visual," said Cameron with a grimace.
    Carly continued. "Gary Ridgeway, the Green River killer, dumped his victims' bodies in wooded areas around the Green River, except for two confirmed and another two suspected victims found in the Portland, Oregon, area."
    "So what are you saying?"
    "I'm saying it's very likely there are more bodies buried in shallow graves in these woods."
    "Well, if that's true, the deputies and technicians I have searching the woods will find them."
    "Are you saying you already have searchers in the woods?"
    "Yes, they've been out there about an hour," Cameron replied.
    "You've got to call them back," insisted Carly.
    "Why?"
    "Because when it comes to finding bone fragments and shallow graves, they can accidentally do more harm than good. They need to be briefed by your forensic anthropologist."
    Before Cameron could respond, three young men led by a middle-aged man with a shock of white hair and a trim mustache approached the tent. He focused on Bryan, wearing his white lab coat and said, "I'm Ken Harris, the forensic anthropologist you called."
    Bryan made introductions and Dr. Harris introduced the three young men with him as Indiana University interns completing field experiences.
    "What have you found so far?" asked Dr. Harris.
    Bryan pointed to the table behind him, "We have the skull, a rib cage, and what looks like an arm bone."
    "I see," Dr. Harris responded as he fingered the bones. "And it looks like you've already started the sieving process. That's good. Do you have search volunteers?"
    "Actually," Cameron said. "we sent a group of deputies and CSI technicians into the woods looking for bone fragments an hour ago."
    "That's not good," said Dr. Harris. "They cannot be out there searching until I talk to them about what to look for, and what to do if they find something. These woods are your crime scene. Any site of human remains is a crime scene where the potential for evidence is significant. Untrained searchers can unknowingly destroy valuable evidence."
    "I'll call them back," Cameron said as he stepped away.
    "I apologize," said Brody. "It's just that we've never experienced anything of this magnitude."
    Carly stepped forward. "My name is Carly Stone. I'm a former FBI agent who is working as a consultant for the county. I have reason to think we are working with a serial killer. These woods may be his preferred body dump site. When you brief the searchers, please teach them what to look for and what to do if they should find a shallow grave."
    "I agree, Ms. Stone. There may certainly be more to find in the woods than just bone fragments. As soon as the searchers return, I will brief them thoroughly. In addition, my interns, who have already been trained in searching for human remains, will join them in the search."
     
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    In record time, Cameron gathered the searchers. Dr. Harris stood before them.
    "You are searching for human bone fragments, but you must keep a sharp eye out for shallow graves. If your killer has dumped one body here, there may be more.
    "The wooded area you are searching is a crime scene where the potential for evidence is significant. It is, therefore, critically important that the entire scene, and evidence within it, remain in context. That is, not be moved or tampered with. Respect the entire area you are searching as a crime scene.
    "We only have one chance to extract the remains completely and correctly. If you should find anything, do not attempt to remove it yourself. Flag the area and call your supervisor so he can send someone on my team to your site immediately." Dr. Harris paused briefly and drank from his water bottle.
    "What are some of the things we should