For the LE people....old police reports?

[1carcrazyguy]

Where to begin on looking for a police report from 1959? I have been asked by extended family to try to locate a car (1958 Pontiac Chieftain Convertible) that someone owned in 1958-1959. They said they know I could find the VIN on a report from 1959 in a small town in the Texas panhandle.

[David]

Probably long destroyed.

[Denny]

Even if you find a VIN, you'll probably get an MVR return with no data. I'd start at the PD that the report originated.

Back when I was in, most of that stuff sat in a storage building and the paper on those reports were deteriorating. Even incidents that never closed.

[1carcrazyguy]

Plan to try to find the VIN before we start looking for an exact color combo match. Should be fun.....

[kingjason]

Even if you find a VIN, you'll probably get an MVR return with no data. I'd start at the PD that the report originated.

Back when I was in, most of that stuff sat in a storage building and the paper on those reports were deteriorating. Even incidents that never closed.

This

They purge MVR returns ever so often but VIN's stay in the system for ever I think or for a long time anyways. I ran bug one time that had not been registered in thirty years or more. By LP I got nothing. Punched in the VIN and got a return. Only thing with VIN's is you need to know the state it is in. I have never understood that since VIN's are unique but yeah it's a pain sometimes.

[93LXHORSE]

What about a suspicious death from 1969? In Galveston county? My dad took my mom out in Galveston bay in the middle of the night and she drowned. They chalked it up as a terrible accident back then.

[Denny]

What about a suspicious death from 1969? In Galveston county? My dad took my mom out in Galveston bay in the middle of the night and she drowned. They chalked it up as a terrible accident back then.

It was,more than likely closed as such back then. Before forensic science really took off, there wasn't much to do but get witness reports and collect evidence. If everyone involved had collaborative stories, 9 times out of 10, it was case closed.

Certain cases that didn't add up got some old school detective work done. There were some really creative minds back then. But again, the range of error was great on their findings since backing it with hard science wasn't as common.

[Denny]

This

They purge MVR returns ever so often but VIN's stay in the system for ever I think or for a long time anyways. I ran bug one time that had not been registered in thirty years or more. By LP I got nothing. Punched in the VIN and got a return. Only thing with VIN's is you need to know the state it is in. I have never understood that since VIN's are unique but yeah it's a pain sometimes.

I wish vehicle manufacturers to make an initial NCIC file on a VIN once it is released to sell, followed by ownership updates for the life of the vehicle.

[93LXHORSE]

He'll there was at least one relative back then raising the question of what did he have her out there at 2 in the morning in Galveston bay on a little boat, with no life preserver, knowing she couldn't swim. But if course they just gave him the benefit of the doubt.