CSI Toronto

Richard Lautens - Staff Photographer

When I first began this job at the Star just over 23 years ago, I never imagined some of the experiences I would have. 
Take today for instance.
I was sent to the scene of an overnight murder where a teenager was shot in the face at 2am.  I didn't get there until 9am mind you.
I first take a few photos with my iPhone to put on our website and then make some more pictures of the scene, the police and the general activity in the area. 

A teenage girl apparently didn't want her photo taken near the scene

Before long I see a trail of fairly fresh blood across the street from the scene.  A few drops could be found every four feet or so.  I go up to one of my buddies from a competing publication, Tyler Anderson and utter the words I never thought I would say in my life, "Tyler, you wanna follow a trail of blood?".
It seems odd asking this of the competition but quite frankly when you are in a very dodgy neighbourhood and there is a guy running around with a gun who is potentially at the end of the blood trail a little company is in order.
We followed this trail around corners, through intersections, even past Photography Drive for a total of 2.6kms according to my GPS.

Tyler Anderson from the National Post scans the ground past Photography Drive

Unfortunately the trail ended after doubling back on itself right beside a small wooded trail.  A short walk down the trail came up with no other leads or evidence of anyone wandering through bleeding so the hunt was over.  I was disappointed there was no bloody door knob at the end with me of course ending up the hero investigator.

The last drop on the trail

So much for my career in policing.

rlautens@thestar.ca