CSI Burnaby

Case Number #0003
Date: 16th April, 2011
Investigating CSI - Agent Smilingpug
Location - The home of two cats and a Pug in Burnaby

Once again Agent Smilingpug has been assigned
to investigate an incident at this Burnaby location.

It was a sunny afternoon when Agent SP arrived on the scene.

Earlier, the residents had stepped out into the backyard for some gardening.

It was then that they discovered the crime.

An odd object lay on the ground near Catnip Garden.

The Mum took these initial photos, upon discovery

Winston was immediately on the scene barking and growling at the unknown object

Kizzy came over to see what the commotion was about as it was in HER catnip garden

Tika was very scared after she saw Kizzy sniff and run off,

but she took a quick look before running back inside

Agent SP arrived in the yard to witness...

2 frightened cats, 1 very growly pug and 1 shocked Mum, over this discovery.

All residents were removed from the area and told to stand on the patio.

Agent SP commenced the investigation by taping off the area with yellow crime scene tape, starting on the patio as to keep the residents from messing up the evidence even further!

 then the immediate area was taped off

Evidence was then collected, photographed and documented

(Please note for the record that Agent SP has
misplaced the number 1 marker)

Figure 2 here shows an orange orb.

Upon inspection it appears to  be a rubbery substance filled with air.
Agent SP immediately concludes this object to be a hellium ballon.

Figure 3 shows holes and dirt plugs in the grass near the object

Measurements are then taken

 

It appears the ballon is 27" around.

According to investigation;

this ballon was once filled with more air than it was upon discovery.

(This is based on signs of shrinkage of the object.)

 

Agent SP prepares to bag the ballon.

Unfortunately it is too large for standard issue evidence bags.

Agent SP improvises with this bag.... compliments of the Mum.

Evidence is then tagged and sent to the lab.

Agent SP then sets upon interviewing the residents.

Based on previous experience Agent SP does not waste time

interviewing the 2 cats and pug.

Agent SP has learned that...

Meow, Woof,  Meow is off no help to the investigation.

The Mum is interviewed....

She is contained to the patio and asked to discribe the turn of events

In her words she describes coming out the sliding door and into the yard.

At first look she thought is was a huge orange.

Winston went over first, followed by Kizzy then Tika.

Mum did not get near it as she ran to get her camera.

She took photos then called the Agent.

No, it never occurred to her to keep everyone away from it so not to tamper with the scene.

(Agent SP noted that this was not to smart of her!)

No, the object was not there the day before.

No, she had never seen it before until today.

Yes, she has seen objects like this one before at past birthday party

events, They were attached to string.

No, I don't think Kizzy, Tika or Winston would put it there.
The girls are very frightened of it and will probably have nightmares from it.
Winston is very angry that a foreign object invaded his yard.

The Mum then pointed out to Agent SP that....
Kizzy, Tika and Winston are not capable of filling this object with air and placing it there as they are not primates and do not posses opposable thumbs, thus making it impossible for them to hold object to fill and tie it!

(Agent SP referenced dictionary for this "opposable" word, definition is as follows....

(of the thumb of a primate) capable of moving toward and touching the other digits on the same hand.)

 Agent SP notes that this ballon had nothing attached to it in the form of "string"

Figure 2 demonstrates this

Agent SP takes photos of the empty garden

(according to the Mum this area is being prepped for a veggie garden)

There is no evidence of any paw or foot prints.

Agent SP jokingly questions if this ballon "fell from the sky" as there is no trace of any

finger, paw, or foot prints, no sign of fur or hair either!

Unfortunately,

back at the Lab, testing of the ballon came to a grinding halt

when the scientist's experienced a

LOUD

 After the initial shock of the POP,  scientist's were left with this....

which in turn made testing inconclusive.

Holes in the grass in figure 3
play no role in the how the object got there.

(Holes were made by an aerator which is done every spring in order to keep grass healthy.)

After much investigation Agent Smilingpug has no conclusion as to how this ballon arrived to be in the Catnip Garden.

What it's purpose was and where it came from. 

Agent Smilingpug has boxed and shelved the evidence

This case has been declared part of the....