2007-09-20Staff Report 2 "By Surihe Gaomas WINDHOEK With the gruesome discovery of a decapitated head and forearms from the seemingly latest victim of the notorious 'B1 Butcher', it is obvious the elusive murderer has changed his modus operandi by moving from Khomas to the Otjozondjupa Region. Two former police detectives gave this opinion to New Era when approached for insight into the protracted murder inquiry that has strained the police. Former Serious Crime Unit boss of the Namibian Police and now Chief of Investigation and Prosecution at the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Nelius Becker, said if the same body parts that were found in Grootfontein could be linked to those found in the capital, then it is clear that the serial killer is playing a game with the Namibian Police. ""The modus operandi of a killer changes depending on what his fantasies are. Murder cases like these are very difficult and may take a long time. But what is important is that each crime must be seen as an individual case,"" said Becker. When asked what kind of perpetrator this may be, Becker was of the opinion that ""he's a single white male and very organised"". ""He's dumping his trophies. His victims are all Namibian and are all alleged to be prostitutes. He only seems to target Damara or Afrikaans speaking victims but why, that is the question,"" said Becker. If the allegation that the victims are prostitutes is true, Becker felt that the investigation could be more difficult, because nobody knows who picks up these females. ""It's a difficult investigation. It is like the perfect crime, because your victims are prostitutes and that world of prostitution is a hidden world,"" said Becker. Furthermore, the alleged murderer is also taking the risk of driving with these body parts through roadblocks manned by police officers. While at first, the victims' bodies were intact upon discovery, the perpetrator has started dismembering them and dumping body parts around. Sharing the same sentiments, retired Namibian police detective, Jacque Malan, said with items such as a bloodstained sleeping gown, blood stained car seat and black bra found with the body parts at Grootfontein, these ""exhibits"" are important in the police and forensics investigations. ""From the exhibits, you can get a link between the previous murder cases in Windhoek to what has happened now. The police are doing what we would have done in such murder cases. The way he cuts these body parts may also have a link to the previous cases,"" said Malan. Furthermore, both Becker and Malan agreed that the police are doing their utmost in the current investigations and are on the right track in the hunt for the 'B1 Butcher'. Both advised that the police should become more structured in their search for the killer by working as a team and by dealing with every crime case individually. ""There's usually the investigation leg and the forensics leg, but they both work as a team. The police can solve this case with routine detective work by eliminating the list of suspects one by one and by creating a profile of the killer,"" said Becker. He added that when the police question suspects, the interviews should take the suspect right back to childhood because usually 70 percent of serial killers have a traumatic childhood, whether it is emotional abuse or physical abuse. ""Investigations are mostly five percent work and 95 percent luck,"" said Becker adding that there must be a dedicated investigating team behind these murders. Malan, however, advised that the crime scene, at which these body parts were found, must be kept clear from the public to preserve valuable evidence like footprints. Serial killings of this nature normally take a long time top resolve, but the two are optimistic that the killer would be caught ultimately. Meanwhile, the Namibian Police are working towards identifying the victim, whose body parts comprising a head and two forearms were found at Grootfontein on Monday. Yesterday, Police Spokesperson, Chief Inspector Angula Amulungu, said the forensics and mortuary team has sent fingerprints to the Ministry of Home Affairs for identification. He said there is no further information on the recently found remains and urged the public to assist the police with any information regarding the latest case. " 2007-09-20Staff Report 2
