Earprints allow German cops to nab alleged serial burglar

MAINZ, Germany -- A burglar behind a $650,000 crime spree has been nabbed through matches of DNA, fingerprints and earprints, German police told NBC News on Monday.
Authorities allege the culprit put his ears to doors and windows in order to find out whether anyone was home before raiding the properties.


Dozens of earprints – in addition to DNA samples and fingerprints gathered at the crime scenes – helped investigators tie the suspect to at least 96 break-ins between July 2009 and July 2011 in northern Germany.

The 33-year-old suspect, who is a Macedonian citizen, is accused of stealing jewellery, cash and high-end electronic devices worth a total of $650,000. He was arrested in December 2011 after allegedly breaking into a building in the northern German city of Kiel but has now been identified as the suspect in series of burglaries.

"Earprints are almost as unique as fingerprints and can be important evidence, as this case shows," Hamburg police spokeswoman Ulrike Sweden told NBC News.

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Discuss this post

So the point of this article is to warn criminals? Warn them of what? Forensics? Big deal!

  • 1 vote
Reply#1 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 10:35 AM EDT

They used earprints in an episode of Law & Order SVU!

  • 1 vote
Reply#2 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 10:42 AM EDT

Yeah, they can also "Zoom and Enhance" which is a complete fabrication on SVU. I used to work in surveillance, and have had to deal with investigators all the time. One time a crime was caught on video and the person drove by a camera with their car. The person actually asked the investigator and I if there was a way to "zoom and enhance" and the investigator almost died laughing and stated to the person that "this isn't television".

  • 1 vote
#2.1 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 10:48 AM EDT

Haha I've wondered about that! I don't have any experience in surveillance but I always figured picture quality is picture quality, unless they're using a really high quality camera to begin with! Thanks for the info! Good to know! Now I can commit a crime even though a vague shadow of me might show up in a mirror across the room froma camera! Whew!

  • 1 vote
#2.2 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 10:54 AM EDT

You're under arrest...can you hear me now?

  • 4 votes
#2.3 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 10:54 AM EDT

I do happen to have experience in surveillance but the girls father and the police report called it something else.

    #2.4 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 12:21 PM EDT
    Reply

    But in America, we cant locate the over 11 million illegal immigrants that are wandering around our country.

    • 5 votes
    Reply#3 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 11:00 AM EDT

    Go gently lick all of their ears and report to the nearest ICE office so you can give them the DNA samples, mmkay?

      #3.1 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 11:10 AM EDT

      Come again?

        #3.2 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 11:42 AM EDT

        Don't mind if I do.

        • 1 vote
        #3.3 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 11:43 AM EDT

        We can't locate them because of the partnership between greedy corporations and our politicians (Rep & Dem).

          #3.4 - Tue May 1, 2012 3:05 PM EDT

          jw101, what does that have to do with earprints and a burglar? Stay on topic.

            #3.5 - Wed May 2, 2012 11:51 AM EDT
            Reply

            Attention TV & movie crime dramas: Now you must have your master criminal hero cover his EARS as well as his fingertips when committing a crime. Also - new material for gory murder mysteries.

              Reply#4 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 11:08 AM EDT

              What in jumpin' jeepelas name was this guy doing with his ears? Dozens of earprints found. What a total assmunch. Remember if you're going to rip people off to cover up your ears. Laughing so hard it hurts!

                Reply#5 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 12:20 PM EDT

                I'm guessing you didn't read the article since it clearly stated he would press his ear against the doors and windows to determine whether or not the space was occupied.

                • 1 vote
                #5.1 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 1:16 PM EDT
                Reply

                Police to thief: "Come ear, I would lobe to wax you some questions!"

                • 3 votes
                Reply#6 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 12:21 PM EDT

                He should have worn a hoodie.

                • 1 vote
                Reply#7 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 12:21 PM EDT

                He should have heard them coming.

                  Reply#8 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 12:56 PM EDT

                  So now the police takes ear prints too? Interesting, I never knew that.

                    Reply#9 - Mon Apr 30, 2012 6:05 PM EDT
                    Comment author avatarAmy MacArthurvia Facebook

                    I had to giggle at this story. Sherlock Holmes would be so proud!

                      Reply#11 - Wed May 2, 2012 10:36 AM EDT
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