Bureaucratic bungling impeded investigation for missing journalist

Claudia Kirschhoch

THE EDITOR, Sir:

REGARDING THE articles published this past week by Gleaner Reporter Garwin Davis about Claudia Kirschhoch's disappearance, we wish to offer the following comments:

No one has suggested "that the police hadn't used all the resources at their disposal". What we have said based on info reported in Jamaican newspapers and known to Jamaican citizens, is that the Jamaican police lack the resources and training to properly investigate a disappearance or a crime.

For example, the police never secured Claudia's room at Beaches and therefore basic forensic testing was never done. More importantly, Sandals only notified the police of Claudia's disappearance seven days after she was last seen at the resort and then only after we called Sandals directly.

Also, the FBI was only permitted to actively assist after 30 days and, after more than two months, the search and rescue dog was allowed in. In any investigation, time is of the essence. Again, this certainly was not the fault of the police but the fault of Jamaican bureaucracy, and this at a time when information and resources are readily shared among nations throughout the world.

As to Mr. Erskine's request for an apology to Mr. Grant, we would be glad to apologise if Claudia is found alive and well.

Lastly, Jamaica has not been indicted for Claudia's disappearance and does not need vindication. We believe and have consistently stated that criminal actions by one or two Jamaicans do not warrant indictment of an entire country. Thank you.

We are etc.,

FRED AND MARY ANN KIRSCHHOCH

E-mail: FAK42@aol.com

104 Washington Ave

Morristown, NJ, USA

Via Go-Jamaica

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