NCJ Number
84462
Journal
International Criminal Police Review Volume: 37 Issue: 354 Dated: (January 1982) Pages: 9-15
Date Published
1982
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Extensive timber thefts from Federal Government land in Oregon and Washington, beginning in the early 1970's, have prompted appropriate Federal agencies to cooperate in the implementation of sophisticated investigative procedures that have produced a significant number of convictions.
Abstract
The FBI, the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Attorney's Office, as well as other Federal and State agencies, have focused their investigations on three broad areas: (1) the cutting of isolated trees by a few persons for commercial sale in various forms, (2) the removal of entire loads of logs from a national forest for sale without paying the Government, and (3) timber purchasers' efforts to reduce the fair market value of timber through cutting methods or violations of various antitrust provisions. Crime scene investigations can produce evidence of paint transfers from the use of various tools, toolmarks left on the stumps, and other debris left by the thieves. Investigations also include interviews of witnesses and checking possible outlets for the sale of stolen timber or its products. In cases involving large timber sales, agents have reviewed Government contracts, documents, letters between the forest service and members of the timber industry, as well as conducting interviews with the U.S. Forest Service employees who can help interpret the meaning of such contracts and letters. Photographic illustrations are provided.