Three weeks after a false bomb threat required the assistance of not just the USM police department, but also of the Portland Police Department and the Portland Fire Department, the situation still remains under investigation. The threat came by way of a note being slipped under the door of room 105 in the Science Building. “We’re not having any more information come in,” said Chief Lisa Beecher of the USM Police Department “We have exhausted all of the leads that we have.” According to Beecher, there are no definitive answers they have ascertained.
Two major Biology exams were being given on the day of the scare. Therefore, one of the first things that USM police did in order to identify the perpetrator was to go over the surveillance cameras in the Science building with the professors. Unfortunately, a suspect was still unable to be identified. “We took the camera footage, and it does show somebody,” said Beecher. “But the person is covered from head to toe, and it’s very brief instances of being able to see this person.”
In an effort to continue the search alongside certain, unnamed biology professors, the professors were able to see the note, as it was hand written. The police have also run tests for finger prints; however the surveillance cameras show the suspect as wearing gloves. According to Beecher, the USM police department will conduct more tests on the finger prints, despite being doubtful about the results since professors and other people handled the note when it was collected.
“We will work hard to see if there is some angle that we have not checked out,” said Beecher. “This case will probably stay open for a long time.”