How thick can someone be?

[Whickerman]

Police have apologised for sending the personal effects of a suicide victim to his next of kin, including his noose...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/south _east/7969110.stm

How could this happen accidentally? Surely someone would've noticed when they were packing the bag?

[paraffin]

Hi, Whickerman:

Devil's Advocate 'ere: If your rich auntie Grizelda died and you were her only known relative, and the powers that be decided to give her wealth to the local dogs+cats home, and you got nothing, would you be happy about that?

[Whickerman]

not exactly the same thing...!

The police sent the rope the man hung himself with to his ex wife

[craft1948]

well if it's his ex-wife she may consider it a trophy....

[paraffin]

Hi, Whickerman,

Yeah, point taken, however the items were sent to his "estranged wife", therefore not exactly the same impact as little devoted wifey who has just lost the love of her life. They'd obviously drifted apart.

And unfortunately for the lady concerned, she was named as "next-of-kin", therefore who else were the Police expected to return his possessions to?

[CrazyCathy]

But the article did say they were still close...

[BillyBB]

Probably more that the Police dare not do anything other than 'by the book'. His property must be returned to his estate/next of kin.

[matty2670]

It was probably bagged up amongst a load of other property that some hapless property officer wanted to get rid of and din't bother checking the contents. Or, some idiot of a PC or Coroner's officer bagged it all up at the Post Mortem. This same thing happened in the police force I unfortunately work for. I sometimes agree with Steve 5 - standards sure have slipped lately, 9 years and I'm out, thank God...

[vulcan]

surely the noose would have been classed as evidence and therefore not part of his personal effects.If somebody shoots themselves do the police return the gun to the next of kin?[I don't know,I'm just asking]

[matty2670]

Not evidence in a 'straightforward' suicide with no suspicious circumstances.

[vulcan]

Thanks matty.