What is project pilot?
May 5th 2009 5:30pm, Durham Regional Police Service Forensic Unit were advised that there was a call for service in Pickering, ON for a possible double homicide,.
Info was received there were two males, duct taped in the trunk of a car with obvious signs of trauma.
How long did the investigation take?
4.5 years
T or F
News said that the bodies were “bullet riddled”
TRUE :(, this means the bodies were pierced with numerous holes
Describe the scene
- Rosebank Road runs North and South from Taunton Road in Pickering – mostly farm area
- Blood was visible under the car’s tires
- Pinflags were put down during daylight (every half a kilometre) so that they knew is was safe to walk in that area
- 2 male victims located in the trunk of the Nissan Altima - duct tape around mouth, eyes, ankles and wrist
- During coroner exam, he was leaning in to put the ID tag on John Doe 2’s belt and
found a gun!
What happens when your Duty Inspector tells you that you cannot use your own facility to remove the bodies?
- Called Toronto and asked to use one of their bays!
- Toronto FIS was gracious enough to allow us to come and use their bay for body removal
- Brand new forensics building in Durham now, thoug
- 3,00-23,000 square ft
Describe processing of the scene.
- They went into the trunk to find trace evidence – before the bodies were removed, so that they weren’t interfered with
- Projectile located under the head of John Doe 2
- Shellcase was found at the back, under the other body
- These casings showed that they were killed in the car, wearing socks
- Car was then sent to CFS
Who were possible victims?
- Both Punee CHHINA and Harjinder SANDHU reported missing on May 4th
- SANDHU was currently on charge with 30 kilos of cocaine
Describe the autopsy of John Doe 1.
Harjinder SANDHU
○ More duct tape that the other body
○ Piece of latex glove located while removing duct tape from his feet
-Piece of latex was also found on Chinna at the same time
○ Enterance wound under neath chin
○ Exitwound–big and beveled on the top of his head
○ Cause of Death: Perferating gun shot to the head
Describe the autopsy of John Doe 2
Puneet CHHINA
○ Enterance wound in the forehead with lots of stippling around the wound – close proximity gun shot
○ Skull was fractured
○ Large exit wound at the back of the head (bigger than the entrance wound, duh)
○ Cause of death: Perforating gun shot wound to the head
Describe the traditional investigation.
- Investigators canvass and interview residents of Rosebank Rd
- Persons who filed missing persons report were interviewd
- Request was entered for cell phone recods
How many DNA profiles from inside of vehicle were found?
- With 8 DNA profiles, it was decided to obtain as much DNA as possible. 15 witnessed provided consent samples.
• Peel Regional Police provides info that Vijay SINGH is responsible for the homicide
• The homicide is a result of CHHINA stealing some coke from SINGH
Describe finding the suspect.
• Investigators independently link Vijay to murders in 2 weeks
• Interviews, search warrants and cell records corroborate CHS information
• SINGH lived in Scarborough
• HE HAD AN EYEPATCH
• Singh’s known associates: Goffus (right hand man) and Le (enforcer)
POI to Suspect – Duct tape on CHINNA’s wrist matched John Le
What happened Dec 22, 2009
- Investigators canvass area of 100 Agincourt
- Investigators speak to SINGH at his door and give him a flyer
- Fake Canvass – Searching for the missing people
- Girlfriend said “Do they know you did it?”
Who tries to flee?
Le tries to flee.
• It’s indicated that he’s travelling to Vietnam for an “extended vacation”
• Charged with murder and kidnapping x2 (5 charges total)
What happened Jan 28, 2010
Searched SINGH’s residence
• 25 people went into house and looked, then Jim went in to look for trace evidence (order of events made no sense :c)
• In February 2010, SINGH states that he may flee to India – this is the response to continued police pressure
• He was in DC at the time
Who confesses?
Lopez (the informant) spills everything over 4 days – including 4 other homicides.
What was found in SINGH’s storage locker?
Bunch of submachine gunss and ammo was found and an empty gun case was found!! Matched the gun found at the scene
Describe pre-trial hearings.
Lost all wire tap evidence
Describe trial
• 12 week trial – 40 witnesses for crown
• Jury Protection throughout trial
• Tac Team used for transport daily of accused
SINGH and LE were both charged (2nd degree Murder though, which really made no sense)
