Somebody saw something and somebody knows something out there. It may be that person knows everything because they are close to the suspect or they may have a tiny sliver of information that somehow fits the whole jigsaw puzzle together, but someone can solve the case. That is the premise the investigators must rely on as they sally forth to catch a criminal like the serial rapist in Ann Arbor.

I once read that several decades ago a chief of detectives in the New York Police Department stenciled about knee high on the inside of the doors of bathroom stalls in the Detective Bureau “GOYA -- KOD.” That acronym stood for something akin to “Get Off Your Seat -- Knock On Doors.” The sharper readers of this family friendly news outlet will understand why “Seat” does not start with an“A.”

Guaranteed with the onslaught of tips that are pouring into the Ann Arbor Police Department from its own Hotline (734) 794-6939 and Crime Stoppers (Anonymous tip line for cash) 1-800-SPEAK UP (www.1800speakup.org), detectives are burning up plenty of shoe leather and gas to investigate tips.

It is a daunting task and at times in the beginning of such investigations it can seem overwhelming. Once the investigation is organized -- and the Ann Arbor investigation is well organized because supervisors and detectives know the drill from past experience -- things fall into order and the investigation advances.

The first order of business in a large scale investigation is organizing the dozens of tips which rapidly turn into hundreds of tips. There are computer programs available like Rapid Start to organize tips, but they depend on a lot of data entry and should be used as an investigation churns on.

The quickest way to organize the incoming tips is low tech and very effective. It involves assigning each tip to one of four files or binders and assigning a priority to the tip. The binders are entitled something like “Named Suspect/Named Tipster”, “Named Suspect/Anonymous Tipster”, “Unnamed Suspect/Named Tipster” and “Unnamed Suspect/Anonymous Tipster”.

Named suspect tips involve, as the title implies, a named person to be investigated. These are some of the most valuable tips. When numerous tips come in, with the same named suspect, that person rises to the top of the “persons of interest” or suspect list. That suspect is given the highest priority to investigate.

Assigned investigators will check into that person’s background using numerous law enforcement databases. Most criminals in cases like this aren’t new to their profession -- their criminal careers evolve over time. The exceptions to this would be the criminal who has just become an adult, someone from another country or state (some do not contribute to national crime databases) or a criminal who has established a new identity (this may work until they are fingerprinted and linked back to their old identity). These “exceptions” may not have established criminal histories or files on law enforcement databases.

After a background is done, these high priority targets are then interviewed and further investigated based on their cooperation level and the forensic evidence available in the case. The suspect is then cleared, charged or investigated further.

Unnamed suspects in tips are more difficult, because first the investigator has to put the proper name on the person who is being described. Some of these subjects can be named quickly when the tipster has a specific address or vehicle and plate number.

The unnamed suspect tips that are most challenging are the ones that inform the police they saw “a man who looked just like the composite, walking on Liberty Street during the Art Fair.” That particular tip would be given a low priority because of the nearly impossible chance to confirm or deny the information and thus identify the person in question.

Tips are thus prioritized and assigned to a detective or team of detectives to investigate. The tip, assigned investigator(s), as well as the named suspect (if there is one) and date of the tip are them linked on a spreadsheet. Spreadsheets are easily read by bosses checking for progress and they are a quick reference to make sure similar tips or multiple tips on the same suspects are assigned to the proper investigator(s).

The toughest thing for the investigators to remember is that this is a “marathon” and not a “sprint.” Several time through the investigation detectives will get excited about a suspect thinking, “this has to be the guy” only to “clear” that suspect and have to start over again on another tip or lead. These investigations are also just like a marathon not just because of all the highs and lows but at the finish line, when the proper suspect is in handcuffs, there is no greater sense of achievement.

Lock it up, don’t leave it unattended, be aware and watch out for your neighbors.

Rich Kinsey is a retired Ann Arbor police detective sergeant who now blogs about crime and safety for AnnArbor.com. He also serves as the Crime Stoppers coordinator for Washtenaw County.