By

Mike Daumen
Product Management
Charles Rice, Chris Davis
Editing
Charles Rice
Graphic Design
David Jarvis
Interior Art
John Longenbaugh
Joseph Wigfield
Layout
David Jarvis
 POLICE PROCEDURAL

Introduction Another traditional case is the hunt for a serial the scene of the event to assess the site and
killer. Unlike most everyday crime, in which the collect evidence. The most common piece of
Police procedurals, like most mysteries, are victims and perpetrators tend to know each other, evidence found here is the murder victim’s
difficult to pull off in roleplaying games. such predators have seemingly unfathomable corpse, although it is possible to run a mystery
Should a GM establish the entire trail of clues reasons for choosing their victims. Unraveling the based on a missing person. In such cases, there
and information that stems from each witness connections between them becomes an important needs to be some evidence that this person
and crime scene, and hope the players don’t part of the case. has been murdered and did not flee of their
feel railroaded? Will play hinge on a critical Regardless, a GM can apply these rules towards own accord. Other things are often present,
roll that, if it fails, keeps vital information non-standard homicides, or even other crimes, with such as fingerprints or other images left in
from the party? Do the players watch enough a minimum of changes. The police might know the soft or impressionable material, the murder
crime dramas to make their own way through perpetrator at the outset, for example, and most of weapon itself, or personal identifiers from the
the investigation? the action will involve tracking him. Instead of a perpetrator such as fibers or hair.
These rules seek a middle ground around corpse, the party might face a distraught or angry Armed with this evidence, and the statements of
the pitfalls of running a technically oriented arson victim – or someone with her own secrets whatever witnesses are available, the team sets
police investigation. They allow players to to keep from the police. They could face a classic out to piece together the events that resulted in
take the lead, and decide in broad terms how locked-room mystery, from which a priceless the death of a person. Was there a relationship
to advance their case – sometimes coming painting or gem has been stolen. between the killer and his victim?
up with the evidence they find on their own. What sort of motive did the murder have
Meanwhile, the GM can insert as many clues,
Investigation Protocols
– financial gain, revenge or another strong
NPCs, or wrinkles she decides are necessary passion, or an aberration stemming from
or interesting to the overall plot. Several skills Generally, a murder attracts the attention of law a mental defect? Was the murder weapon
become important, as the steps in a successful enforcement when someone stumbles upon the used in other crimes, or does it lead back to a
inquiry require a variety of different tasks corpse. This can be an associate of the victim, salesperson who might be able to describe its
– from the frontiers of science to tried-and- or someone who might typically be found at the owner? Are the fingerprints taken from the
true law enforcement methods. crime scene, such as an office worker. The witness windowsill on file with the FBI? Does the DNA
remains available while the initial site investigation from skin under the victim’s nails match with

The Evil that Men Do

takes place. It is also possible that a beat cop or car that found at similar crime scenes after every
comes upon a murder scene in the regular course of full moon for the past five months?
The most common mystery for a fictional patrolling an area. Eventually, the investigative team will have
police team to solve is a homicide. For one Another alternative is the delivery of an collected enough data to have a sharp enough
thing, the victim is unable to voluntarily anonymous tip. Law enforcement personnel picture of the alleged killer to move forward.
provide details about the crime. Most constantly evaluate the particularity and prior track The suspect may already have answered
fictitious murders have few witnesses records of tipsters, because this is a lucrative source questions at the station house before, but
of any kind, to compound the obscurity. of information about the criminal community. But escaped detection with a cool demeanor. He
Furthermore, these investigations tend to there are dangers, if a criminal gives a false tip, to could be a totally new lead from an unexpected
begin along recognizable lines – although they frame someone else or derail the investigation from source. A pattern of unusual deaths may finally
are soon distinguished with unique twists and the outset. fall into place, with the next one occurring soon
turns. As soon as possible after receiving notice of unless the party acts fast!
a crime, one or more investigators will arrive at

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 POLICE PROCEDURAL

Procedure This system easily incorporates specific “pre-

made” clues and settings as well. A GM may
giving the players a tangible stake in the
creation of the campaign. It bolsters the
The procedure to follow is relatively simple – a have an interesting map for a seedy bar or dark
collection of tasks that generates prerequisites coherence of the plot in their eyes, by
warehouse on the docks that might make for a confirming whatever conclusions they have
for other tasks. There are five building blocks tense setting; any number of links could lead
to the process: reached in the course of play. If a GM has
investigators there. If she has an idea for an purposefully left the solution open-ended, it
upcoming adventure involving a cursed weapon, can suggest new alternatives and issues for
•Evidence Points – a physical investigation the PCs can find it at the crime scene, in the
of a location or body provides Evidence Points, the investigators to face.
suspect’s possession – or perhaps an evidence tech And most importantly, highlighting the
which are basically formless clues until they are finds it in storage and causes the cycle to begin
analyzed more closely. players’ contributions to the game maintains
anew. interest in the case over the long term.
•Leads – these are facts or references that Finally, GMs should always consider what
indicate a possible connection to the case, results their players expect from their actions,
which demand additional scrutiny.
•Statements – general information taken
too. If they seek tire tracks from the suspect’s car
in the mud surrounding the victim, and this won’t
Endgame
from a witness or someone else close to the Eventually, the case should proceed far
resolve the case too easily or interfere with future enough so that the PCs have a good idea
people or instrumentalities under investigation. complications, make such an exhibit the fruit of
•Exhibits – generally, EPs can be converted of what happened, and who the culprit
their labor. This has several rewards, including is. Securing an arrest warrant is the
into Exhibits, which are concrete facts or items
that a tribunal will ultimately use to weigh a
defendant’s guilt or innocence.
•Confession – the most sought after item, DATABASE CHECKS following procedure: pick a number or roll a d6+1
which can end the investigation in a single Some searches of collected data to get the subject’s appearance frequency.
stroke. (including newspaper archives or Then roll a number of d20s equal to the size of
evidence collections like CODIS and the database. If any of these dice come up in a
Starting with a tip or crime scene visit, a NIBIN) work a bit differently than multiple of the appearance frequency, the subject’s
character will make a skill check to determine other research checks. If someone’s entry is in the database. With this mechanism, lower
whether his activities were successful. If so, the fingerprints are not in IAFIS, for appearance frequencies result in more positive
task will create new resources and steps in the example, no skill check will discover checks, so a multiple felon might have a 3 or even
investigation. While EPs can be kept generic, them, no matter how well rolled. The 2.
the GM should be specific about each new GM should decide, before rolling
resource. For example, if the party has already any dice, whether a database Database Size No. of Appearance Rolls
identified a suspect, a new person of interest can contains information about a
Local/Card File 1
be a witness – or an accomplice. Perpetrator particular subject. State 2
exhibits can be fingerprints, hairs, or a phone If the GM is unsure or National 3
call from the suspect to the victim asking him does not care, she can use the International 4
to come to the murder scene. The statement of
a witness can mention other NPCs as well as
cases that the group has already solved.

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 POLICE PROCEDURAL
final step in the process,
unless the party has other
circumstances which might
justify apprehending the suspect earlier.
Even before they feel they have a strong LEADS tasks like checking a suspect’s financial
case, additional tasks like stakeouts and These are the types of leads available to
wiretaps can confirm what they have found records, running down a list of calls in a
investigators:
and surmised. Both types of scenes offer victim’s cell phone, or reading a trial transcript
•Person of Interest – unless this involves
plenty of opportunities for drama and for connections to a current crime.
the victim, this is typically someone whose
danger, especially if the killer is aware of the •Canvassing – police can often find
name comes up in the normal course of the
investigators closing in on him, and is in a information about a case despite asking people
investigation. Once the police focus their
position to do something about it. with little or no connection to it, provided the
efforts on such persons, they can be reclassified
As a final note, each of these tasks can sample they use is large enough. This can be
as either a witness or a suspect.
be run as mechanical exercises, but “extra” as simple as asking neighborhood residents
•Location – while the crime scene is the first
roleplaying is always encouraged, especially about what they saw on a particular night, or
location that police will visit, other places may
in a charged interrogation, or a quiet stakeout whether merchants remember someone buying
prove just as important to the investigation.
that quickly gets hot. Certainly, the best a knife ultimately used in a murder.
Good examples are a suspect’s last known
use of these rules mirrors the typical police address or a popular bar a witness frequents.
procedural on television, where multitasking •Research – often times, an investigator may
investigators run forensic tests a hundred times realize that a large body of information may
faster than their real-life counterparts. hold an important clue, and the only way to
If the party is chasing a serial killer, there check is pore over the data. This includes
will be simultaneous cases, with additional
victims, enigmatic clues at more crime
scenes, and the exciting moment where the making rolls for the party, or concealing the DCs if This also mentions if any previously
link between seemingly random killings falls she wants a party to act on incorrect results. collected evidence contributes to the check,
into place. The GM should be ready to have and if someone can use illegal means to
improve the odds as well.
How to Read an Entry
the PCs take center stage back from the rules
when the circumstances dictate. DC: The DC of the skill check to be made.
Task Name: Taken from a list of common In some instances, the check may be opposed
with a skill check made by an NPC involved

FORENSIC TASKS
activities.
Skill check: The list of skills that can be in the action.
used to complete the task. The GM and players Equipment bonus(es): Law enforcement
should always feel free to substitute a session of personnel have a variety a tools to assist
This list is in rough chronological order, them in apprehending suspects and solving
taking a group of investigators from the roleplaying for a skill check, if it contributes to the
game as a whole. crimes. Where applicable, equipment from
discovery of the initial crime to the issuance of the master equipment list can be used to boost
an arrest warrant. GMs should note the degree Synergies: This entry lists any skills that can
assist the main skill check. If a character has five a skill check roll. In most cases, bonuses
of success for comparison on the tables below of the same name do not stack; however, it
to determine the specific bonuses that ranks in the skill listed, he gains a +2 synergy
bonus to the task. is possible to combine multiple bonuses of
follow. The GM should also consider different types.

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 POLICE PROCEDURAL

Enmity: the person involved automatically

has a Hostile disposition towards the
EXHIBITS investigators, and may seek revenge or to
An Exhibit is a piece of evidence with details, but also the likelihood that the otherwise thwart the PCs in the future.
enough weight to factor at a trial. A good suspect could carry them out. This includes Botched: the result appears good (reroll as a
investigation will have one or more exhibit technical questions like the use of a particular success), but will be harmful at trial.
from each of the following categories, as this weapon, or whether a defendant had access Unimpeachable: the result gains a bonus at
helps the tribunal understand the particulars to it in the first place. trial, or cannot be attacked by defense counsel.
of the crime: •Circumstances – this covers any unusual Red Herring: the investigators get a false
•Corpse – the most important piece of questions, such as a particular condition clue (reroll as a success) selected by the GM
evidence in a homicide. In other crimes, the at the crime scene, or whether a lack of Convert to Exhibit (X): burn X EP to get an
victim is usually present to offer additional witnesses in a crowded place makes sense, Exhibit
information on the case. If a corpse is not that a defendant might seize upon to Heat: the person under investigation
part of the investigation, there must be other exonerate himself. becomes aware of police interest and may
compelling evidence that indicates someone •Motive – most murders, no matter how protect his interests accordingly. Witnesses
has been murdered. heinous, tend to have a logical reason for who know the person may become Unfriendly
•Perpetrator – establishing the identity of happening. Even if a defendant was with or otherwise unwilling to cooperate.
the killer is an obvious necessity. This can the victim at the right time, accusing him or Negative: the investigators get certain
be done technically, through the analysis murder makes no sense if they are lifelong knowledge that the person or thing is not
of evidence found on the site; or with the friends with no history of conflict. involved in the crime. This is not as good as a
testimony of witnesses who can place the success, but it is still valid information.
accused at the right time and place. Red Tape: A bureaucratic slipup has left
•Instrumentality – the police must explain this task incomplete. Unless a PC has a contact
how a murder occurred; not merely violent that can address the problem, the attempt is
unsuccessful.
Reputation: A PC’s standing in the law
enforcement community can help accomplish
Prerequisites: In many cases, the party will wants to keep the party guessing as to the fruits of the
things quicker than normal.
need one or more resources before attempting labors, she can make the rolls secretly and report the
All Points Bulletin: Police personnel will
a task. This applies to the “creation” of results.
mount a manhunt to find the suspect. The GM
evidence from raw EP, but also refers to the
result of earlier tasks. For example, a detective Special Results/ Modifiers can reduce the DCs of skill checks used in this
search by the suspect’s Reputation.
cannot conduct an interview before identifying GM Plot: this is a link to a prior case – perhaps an
one or more persons of interest. earlier adventure, or a matter the GM wishes to bring
Result Chart: This is the breakdown of up for the sake of storytelling.
what can happen with the skill check. The Bad Rep: future tasks involving Knowledge
GM may need to keep track of both the margin (Streetwise) have a -5 penalty, and all witnesses begin
of success/failure, and whether the final roll with an Unfriendly disposition for Diplomacy checks
was odd or even. In most instances, if the GM

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 POLICE PROCEDURAL

Task List
TIP EVALUATION SITE INVESTIGATION AUTOPSY
In many instances an anonymous source Police investigators seek to reach a crime scene When the police suspect that a death is the
alerts the police that a crime has occurred. as soon as possible after the offense has occurred, result of homicide, a medical examiner will
In order to keep this a viable source of in order to preserve evidence. Exposure to the typically examine the body once it arrives
information, however, tipsters often demand elements, insects, and the mere passage of time into police custody. The autopsy can confirm
that their identities remain protected. can degrade pieces of physical evidence. Potential the manner of death as well as uncover other
Seasoned investigators evaluate the witnesses may still be in the area and may vividly facts about the victim or killer, to assist in any
severity of the offense and the accuracy of recall their impressions of what happened. investigation that follows.
similar leads before deciding to act on a tip. Skill check: Investigate Skill check: Investigate
Skill check: Sense Motive Synergies: Search; plant evidence Synergies: Knowledge (Earth & Life sciences);
DC: 15 or vs. Bluff if tip is false Equipment bonus(es): scene plant evidence
Equipment bonus(es): audio DC: 15 Equipment bonus(es): autopsy, visual
Prerequisites: none Prerequisites: Location Lead DC: 15
Prerequisites: Exhibit (corpse)
TABLE 1:A TIP EVALUATION TABLE 1: C: AUTOPSY
Roll (d20 + success margin) Result Roll (d20 + success Result
1-10 Location Lead (crime scene) 1-10 1d3 EP
11+ Person of Interest Lead 11-20 1d4+1 EP
15+ odd Person of Interest Lead (victim) 9-19 odd convert to Exhibit (3)
20+ even Person of Interest Lead (suspect) 16-20 1d6+2 EP and Exhibit

BACKGROUND CHECK
TA B L E 1 : B SITE INVESTIGATION Many persons with potential connections to an investigation
Roll (d20 + success margin) Result have record of interaction with the police. As a result,
Automatic Exhibit (Corpse) [if present]
Automatic Exhibit (corpse) or Person of Interest Lead (victim) detectives often need to gather information about these
Fail (greater than -5 50% chance) Botched collection subjects to determine if they are viable targets for greater
Fail (-5 to 0) None scrutiny. This also applies if the victim is relatively unknown.
1-15 1d3 EP* Skill check: Research
16-29 2d4 EP* Synergy: falsify (Forgery)
30+ 1d8+2 EP and Exhibit DC: 10
Prerequisites: Person of Interest Lead
*These EP can be converted to exhibits at a 3:1 ratio if the investigator wishes. For
TABLE 1:D: BACKGROUND CHECK
example if an investigator rolls a 16 and collects 6 EP, he can immediately convert Roll (d20 + success margin) Result
them into exhibits or save them until later in the investigation. Fail (greater than -5) Red Herring
Fail (even) Heat
Fail (-5 to 0) None
1-10 1d3 EP
11-15 Lead
16+ Exhibit

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 POLICE PROCEDURAL

TABLE 1: D: INTERVIEW is a good way to

Roll (d20 + success margin) Result defuse any tensions
LINEUP
Fail (greater than -5 odd) Botched Statement The police can try a specialized form of
when sensitive
Fail (greater than -5 even) Red Herring identification if they have a potential suspect
matters arise.
Fail (-5 to 0) None in custody, and an eyewitness willing to try
Skill check:
1-5 EP and accurately point him out. However, in this
6-10 even Canvassing Lead Diplomacy
highly charged encounter, investigators cannot
7-11 odd Research Lead Synergy: Sense
tip the scales against the alleged perpetrator,
12-16 Statement Motive, prior
and must provide several alternatives. This
17-24 Exhibit Statements (+3); trick
25+ Confession [if Suspect] always runs the risk that the wrong person gets
(Bluff)
selected.
TABLE 1: E: IDENTIFICATION Equipment
Skill check: witness’ Spot
Roll(d20 + success margin) Result bonus(es):
Synergy: Knowledge (Streetwise); fixed ID
Fail (greater than -5 odd) False Identification interview, audio
Fail (greater than -5 even) Botched Identification Equipment bonus(es): recognition
DC: 15 or vs. Bluff
Fail (-5 to 0) No Identification DC: 15 or vs. Disguise
Prerequisites:
1+ Person of Interest Lead (Suspect) Prerequisites: Person of Interest Lead
Person of Interest Lead
(Witness and Suspect)
(Witness or Suspect)
TABLE 1: F: LINEUP
IDENTIFICATION INTERROGATION
Roll(d20 + success margin) Result Instead of a friendly conversation with
Fail (greater than -5) False Identification Witnesses to a
someone involved with a case, police can
Fail (-5 to 0) No Identification crime tend to not stay
1-9 Inconclusive Identification choose a harsher style of interaction, in the
in constant contact
10+ Exhibit (Perpetrator)/Conclusive Identification hopes of scaring information out of them.
with the perpetrators.
Because this encounter is adversarial, the
In order to preserve
TABLE 1: G: INTERROGATION their memories
possibilities for impropriety are more, and
Roll (d20 + success margin) Result defense counsel can demand to be present.
Fail (greater than -5 odd) Red Herring and begin an
Skill check: Intimidate
Fail (greater than -5 even) Botched Confession investigation,
Synergy: Sense Motive, Statements (+2)
Fail (-5 to 0) None police will try to
and prior Confessions (+5); trick (Bluff) or use
Fail (-4 to 0 even) None + Enmity get descriptions of
1-9 odd Research Lead of force
anyone involved as
2-10 even Canvassing Lead Equipment bonus(es): audio, interview
soon as possible.
11-19 Statement DC: 20 or vs. Bluff
Composite sketch
20+ Confession [if Suspect] Prerequisites: Person of Interest Lead
artists and mugshot
(Witness or Suspect)
INTERVIEW books can assist in this process, as well as certain
The police often give potential witnesses software.
and suspects the opportunity to describe the Skill check: Craft (Visual Art)
scope of any involvement with a homicide Synergy: Knowledge (Streetwise); fixed ID
victim before relying on an arrest. Conducting Equipment bonus(es): recognition
a non-adversarial interview with such subjects DC: 15
Prerequisites: Person of Interest Lead (Witness)

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 POLICE PROCEDURAL
EVIDENCE ANALYSIS
This task covers the host of procedures
used to identify physical evidence collected
RECORD CHECK
A variety of law enforcement agencies keep informa-
in connection with an investigation, from
tion collected during the course of criminal investigations
DNA analysis to looking at fibers through
for future reference. This includes data about suspects,
a microscope. Mechanically, it transforms
like ballistics records from bullets recovered at crime
collected EP into more usable factors.
scenes, but also things willingly provided by the public,
Skill check: Investigate
such as prints done during a public fingerprinting drive.
Synergy: falsify
Like some evidence matching tests, a successful skill
Equipment bonus(es): ballistics, blood,
check may not provide positive identification; instead, it
computer, drug, dust print, fingerprint,
could reveal that a potential suspect is not in a database.
genetic, impression, molecular
The GM should decide beforehand if a specific data-
DC: 15
base includes the information sought.
Prerequisites: EP
Skill check: Profession
TABLE 1: H: EVIDENCE ANALYSIS Synergy: Reputation Bonus
Roll (d20 + success margin) Result DC: 10
Fail (greater than -5 odd) Red Herring Prerequisite: Person of Interest Lead or Exhibit
Fail (greater than -5 even) Botched Exhibit
Fail (-5 to 0) None EVIDENCE MATCHING
1-9 odd Research Lead In contrast to evidence analysis, matching allows
2-10 even Person of Interest Lead police to compare physical evidence with other
11+ Exhibit items evidence accumulated from other investiga-
tions. This task includes things like ballis-
TABLE 1: I: RECORD CHECK tics comparison and fingerprint matching.
Fail (greater than -5) Red Herring Skill check: Spot, Knowledge (Physical
Fail Red Tape Sciences or Earth & Life Sciences)
Success Negative/Person of Interest Lead (suspect)
Synergy: GM plot
Equipment Bonus(es): topographical
TABLE 1: J EVIDENCE MATCHING imager/stereomicroscope [bal-
Roll (d20 + success margin) Result listics], microscope, comparison
Fail (greater than -2 odd) Red Herring microscope
Fail (greater than -5 even) Destroyed Exhibit DC: 20
Fail (-5 to 0) None
1-20 Negative/Person of Interest Lead (suspect) Prerequisites: Exhibit
15+ Unimpeachable Exhibit
20+ Exhibit (Perpetrator)

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TABLE 1: K: RESEARCH RESEARCH PROFILING:

Roll (d20 + success margin) Result Often, leads can result from One of the more modern investigatory
Fail (greater than -5) Red Herring the consultation of large techniques asks police to “think like a
Fail (-5 to 0) None
accumulations of data. This criminal,” building a psychological rendition
1-9 odd Person of Interest Lead
2-10 even Canvassing Lead task includes poring through of a likely perpetrator. This can not only lead
11-19 Location Lead someone’s records, or searches to additional sources of evidence, but also
20+ Exhibit through media or technical predict what a suspect might do in the future.
archives. Skill check: Knowledge (Behavioral
TABLE 1: L: CANVASSING Skill check: Research Sciences)
Roll (d20 + success margin) Result Synergy: Knowledge Synergy: Profile class ability
Fail (greater than -5) Red Herring (applicable) DC: 20
Fail odd Bad Rep DC: 20 Prerequisites: EP or Person of Interest Lead
Fail None Prerequisites: Research Lead (Suspect)
1-9 odd Research Lead
2-10 even Person of Interest Lead CANVASSING STAKEOUT
11-20 Exhibit Sometimes, nothing but Police with a hot lead may choose to sit on it
21+ Statement legwork can make headway for a variety of reasons, content to watch and
in a difficult case. This task see if more information reveals itself. In such
TABLE 1: M : PROFILING covers mundane things like tasks, the investigators seek to maintain a low
Roll (d20 + success margin) Result
Fail (greater than -5 odd) Botched Exhibit door-to-door questioning profile and hope to be in the right place at the
Fail (greater than -5 even) Red Herring of neighborhood residents right time.
Fail None in search of witnesses or Skill check: Spot
1-9 EP or Person of Interest Lead (Suspect) information. It also includes Synergy: Profession, Knowledge
10-15 Exhibit visits to merchants and (Streetwise)
16+ 2 Exhibits technical specialists in the DC: 15
TABLE 1: N: STAKEOUT hopes of discovering the Prerequisites: Person of Interest Lead
Roll (d20 + success mar- Result purchase or other details of an (Witness or Suspect) or Location Lead
Fail (greater than -5 even) Bad Rep important instrumentality to a SEARCH WARRANT
Fail None crime. Before entering a private location to look
1-11 odd Canvassing Lead Skill check: Gather for evidence, the police must get permission
2-10 even Research Lead Information
11-15 Location Lead or Person of Interest Lead Synergy: Diplomacy, from a judge to do so. This ensures that a
16+ Exhibit legal basis exists to justify the invasion of
Knowledge (Streetwise) privacy that such a search entails.
TABLE 1: O: SEARCH WARRANT DC: 20 Skill check: Knowledge (Civics)
Roll (d20 + success margin) Result Prerequisites: Crime Synergy: Profession; falsify (Forgery)
Fail (greater than -5 even) Botched Warrant Scene, Canvassing DC: 20
Fail No Warrant Lead, Location Lead, or
1-10 Warrant; site investigation task Prerequisites: Person of Interest Lead or
Exhibit Location Lead
11+ Unimpeachable Warrant; site investigation task

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 POLICE PROCEDURAL
WIRETAP WARRANT
This task combines the principles of TABLE 1: P: WIRETAP WARRANT
a stakeout and a search warrant, by listening to a private phone Roll (d20 + success margin) Result
line in the hopes that someone using it will reveal something Fail (greater than -5 even) Botched Warrant
useful. Because of its intrusive nature, this also requires Fail No Warrant
1-10 odd Person of Interest Lead
judicial scrutiny of the police’s suspicions that this tactic is
2-10 even Research Lead
justified. 12-20 Exhibit
Skill check: Knowledge (Civics) 15+ Unimpeachable Warrant
Synergy: Profession; falsify (Forgery) 21+ Confession
DC: 20 for Suspect; 25 for Witness or Location
TABLE 1: Q: SUBPOENA
Prerequisites: Person of Interest Lead (Witness or Suspect) Roll (d20 + success margin) Result
or Location Lead Fail (greater than -5 ) Botched Subpoena
SUBPOENA Fail (even) Enmity
Many people are suspicious of the police’s intent, frightened Fail (-5 to 0) No Subpoena
1+ Interview or Interrogation task
that their interaction will be risky, or otherwise unwilling to
17+ Unimpeachable Subpoena
cooperate with an investigation. In such cases, investigators
can force reluctant civilians to comply with judicial backing. TABLE 1: R: ARREST WARRANT
Because of the charged nature of this process, it not only Roll (d20 + success margin) Result
requires a constitutional foundation to use, but may involve Fail (greater than -5 even) Botched Warrant
legal efforts to counteract it. Fail Enmity
Skill check: Knowledge (Civics) 1+ Warrant
15+ odd Unimpeachable Warrant
Synergy: Profession; falsify (Forgery)
21+ All Points Bulliten
DC: 15
Prerequisites: Person of Interest Lead (Witness or Suspect) Cheating Many of the tasks contain a Synergy
entry describing the illegal action that
ARREST WARRANT In the perfect world, there would be could further an investigation. An
The culmination of an investigation is the collection of no crimes to investigate. The fact investigator willing to do so can get a
enough proof to convince a magistrate that a suspect is the that anyone is capable of wrongdoing, bonus to the resultant skill check. If
likely perpetrator. Once this happens, police have the legal however, means that investigators can another skill is indicated, the character
justification to detain a target in contemplation of facing pros- also bend the rules. This is not a question must succeed with this new skill, at
ecution. of evil, or even vengeance; many of us the same DC, to gain a bonus equal
Skill check: Knowledge (Civics) might consider ignoring constitutional to the success modifier. Otherwise,
Synergy: Profession, Exhibits (+2), Statements (+1), Con- niceties to address a genuine threat to the PCs can choose a bonus; but in either
fession (+3); falsify (Forgery) public. case, the maximum is +5. Planting
DC: 30 Nonetheless, rules against this exist evidence involves using an Exhibit of the
Prerequisites: Person of Interest Lead (Suspect) to ensure that a respect for law endures character’s choice, which is simply added
in our society. PCs still willing to solve to the case.
crimes by any means can interact with Although this tends to help in the
both these rules and the actions they seek short run, GMs should consider how
to suppress. these actions can affect the rest of the

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 POLICE PROCEDURAL

investigation and especially what follows USING THE INVESTIGATOR ADVANCED

after. When they come to light, illegal
techniques can lead to the suppression of
CLASS
This class provides the Profile class ability, with
the evidence they uncover, or even outright
which a character can collate information about
exoneration of the defendant. If a GM is
a specific target that allows for improved skill
not running the subsequent trial, or if the
checks. This ability works as written with re-
judge determines the illegality wouldn’t
spect to Persons of Interest that have been prop-
have changed the outcome, law enforcement
erly identified. If the subject of this class ability
agencies will still come down on egregious
has not been identified by other means, the bonus
offenses, harming careers and causing their
is halved. If the party subsequently makes the
own criminal charges. Finally, the GM
target at a later stage, the regular bonus can be
should emphasize a character’s emotions if
used.
his actions spring the guilty on a technicality,
Additionally, Investigator characters can add
or cause an innocent to lose their freedom
their Investigator class level to Profiling tasks in
– or worse.
these rules. Other class abilities, such as Discern
Lies and Sixth Sense, can be used when the
LIST OF EVIDENCE ANALYSIS & underlying skills are used for a task.
MATCHING TESTS W/ EQUIPMENT
INVOLVED
One or more types of equipment can CRIME SCENE CLUES
provide a bonus to such tests, but only the Here is a short list of clues that might appear
best one from each category may apply at a homicide scene, for a party whose work
(except where indicated in the table). The demands a quick answer.
GM should decide in advance what items are
in an agency’s lab. Fingerprints
Drug Analysis: drug and molecular Body tissue and genetic material
Ballistics check/match: ballistics Discharged firearms and gunpowder residue
Chemical identification: molecular and Bloodstains
microscopy Footprints and tire impressions
DNA sampling: microscopy and genetic Bullet holes
Hair/fiber sampling: microscopy Clothing fibers
Blood Analysis: blood and microscopy Personal documents
Matching: add matching, plus Electronic records
microscopy or visual. “Out of place” substances
Evidence of concurrent crimes (or lack thereof)

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 POLICE PROCEDURAL

AUTOPSY CLUES
Here is a shorter list of potential clues that an TABLE 1 : S: FORENSIC EQUIPMENT
Item Bonus Type Amount
autopsy should reveal, leading to further tasks.
Drug Testing Kit drug +1
Mass Spectrometer molecular +2
Wounds Gas Chromatograph molecular +3
Identification techniques Microscope microscopy +1
Foreign substances in the body Stereomicroscope microscopy, ballisticsNS +2
Burns Comparison Microscope microscopy [matching] +2
Signs of struggle Scanning Electron Microscope microscopy +3
Conditions indicating the time of death Camera, Pocket visual [scene] +1
Plant and animal effects on a corpse left Camera, Expert visual [scene] +2
Videocamera audio, visual [scene] S +2
outdoors
Tape Recorder audio, interviewS +2
Trajectory String ballistics [scene] +1
GETTING FINGERPRINTED Laser Trajectory Kit ballistics [scene] +2
There are many mundane reasons for having Topographical Imager ballisticsNS [matching] +3
one’s fingerprints collected outside of the criminal Identikit recognition +1
Composite Sketch Software recognition +2
justice system. Many state and municipal
Polygraph interviewS +1
agencies require it as a condition for employment. Blood Reagent blood +1
J. Edgar Hoover used fingerprint drives in the Blood Testing Kit blood +2
1940s and 1950s, often involving celebrities Blood Splatter Kit visual, blood [scene] S +1
and flashy news events. These brought positive Luminol visual, blood [scene] S +1
publicity to the FBI while expanding the size Fingerprint Kit fingerprint, scene +1
of the early database. More modern reasons Impression Mold Kit impression, scene +1
include high-profile anti-crime and child or elder Dust Print Lifter dust print, scene +1
safety campaigns. In today’s world of electronic Entomology Kit autopsy +1
Data Capture Kit computer +1
commerce, some banks use thumbprints as
Drive Imager computer +2
additional measures against identity theft; a PC SIM card reader cel phone +1
with ties to a bank manager or security guard may Electrophoresis Sampler genetic, molecularS +1
be able to get access to them as a long shot. Thermal Cycler genetic +2
Mug Shot Booklet database, recognitionS +1
Card File database +1
State Database database +2
National Database database +3
International Database database +4
N Stereomicroscope does not stack with Topographical Imager
S Stacks with other bonuses of this type

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 POLICE PROCEDURAL

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