L'Affaire Vera Cruz (C)Infogrames written by Gilles Blancon The Story ========= You have just been appointed Detective Sergeant in the Crime Squad at Saint-Etienne (Loire). As an Officer of the Police and in your capacity as a Judicial Police Officer, you are capable of leading any criminal investigation. No sooner have you taken up your new post you are called upon to investigate what the press is fast calling - THE VERA CRUZ AFFAIR. On August 8th 1986, you are notified by the caretaker at the 'Forest' apartments block of the discovery of a body. It has been provisionally identified as one of the residents and, from the caretaker's description, it is believed to be a case of suicide with a shotgun as the weapon involved. You and your team must go to the scene to ascertain the facts. Once this is complete you will have to carry out the actual investigation using the methods at your disposal. Principle of the game ===================== Has the resident at the FOREST really commited suicide as the caretaker believes ? You must start your investigation by carrying out routine inquiries at the scene of the crime. HOWEVER, a word of advice, AN INVESTIGATION CANNOT END WITHOUT EFFICIENT AND EXHAUSITIVE INQUIRIES. These serve as a basis for research and often evidence. Remember this..... 1.The Forest Residence: The Scene of the Crime ---------------------- The victim is lying on the floor in the middle of the room. As you study this macabre scene you notice that various items are slightly misarranged. You must not touch anything, but you are able to take photos. MOVING THE CAMERA - Use the cursor keys. TAKING A PHOTO - Press F7 Make sure that you have made a note of ALL the details and, when you are ready, press F1. The Disk will load the second part automatically. If you change your mind before this second part is activated, press any key and you will return to the scene of the crime. It is time to summarize the evidence and as you speed back to your office you make a list of suspicious details. Key in each piece of evidence, separating each one with a space and, once the list seems complete, press RETURN. 2.The State Police Force ------------------------ The State Police Force is one of the oldest French institutions since its origins date back to the Marshalsea during Napoleon's time. Its experience regarding judical affairs has led it to computerize very quickly, far ahead of similar services in other countries. This is one of the reasons why, in addition to traditional methods (such as comparing evidence/interviews/alibis etc.) you can use the DIAMOND COMPUTER NETWORK. Utilizing this sophisticated system, you will be able to communicate with other police service, justice departments, prison administrations and with the National Police. Access procedures of the Diamond Network Code M (Message) -------------------------------------------------------- A message addressed to any service must include the code for that service and its base town. The message must include the type of information required in as much detail as possible. The reply from the service contacted will arrive in the form of a listing in a few minutes. N.B.: All messages must be confirmed by pressing RETURN **Services you can contact on the Diamond Network** ---------------------------------------- I. Another Police Squad: Computer Code: 'GIE'+ name of squad If you want to contact the St.Galmier squad (42) write GIE St Galmier opposite 'ORIG', and then make up your message in the form INFORMATION ON 'xxx' AFFAIR If the squad you communicate with is concerned with that particular case it will reply giving you all the information in its possession. There is one police squad per town. ------------------------------------------- II. Judical Research and Comparison Center: Computer Code : CRRJ The police Force has a research coordination center. If you wish to know the record of someone known to the judiciary or to make a comparison on a particular object which could be a clue, you can contact this service using 'CRRL LYON' and should compose your message as follows FOR INFORMATION ON 'object' - (as much information as possible), or ON 'a certain person' (Christian name and surname). If the person has a record you will get a photograph and some information. ------------------------------------------- III. Police Headquarters: Computer Code: PREF To get the name of the owner of a vehicle from the registration number, you should address your message to PREF St Etienne (if it is a 42 vehicle, the number of a vehicle corresponding to a town) then input the message IDENTIFICATION No 1111 AA 42 (for example) If the registration is useful to the inquiry you will get the information you require. --------------------------------------------- IV. Prisons: Computer Code: PRIS If you wish to obtain some information on a detainee you should address your request to PRIS BEAUMETTES or PRIS ST PAUL with a message such as INFORMATION ON DETAINEE DUPONT LEON. if this is useful to the inquiry you will quickly get a reply. ------------------------------------------- V. A Police station: Computer Code: CIAT Certain police stations may have dealt with something, or someone, connected with your investigation, it might be useful to contact them to get additional information. You can call them using, for example CIAT MARSEILLE then compose your message to read INFORMATIN ON 'xxx' AFFAIR TRADITIONAL METHODS -------------------- Option S: Statement. To hear someone's statement you need to know their name and address (or where they can be found). Option C: Comparison of Evidence. You can compare an alibi or other evidence of one person with certain facts collected during the investigation. But this comparison can only be carried out on the basis of a statement . Option E: Various Examinations. In your capacity as a Judiciary Police Officer you can carry out different examinations such as graphological examinations or an Autopsy (e.g. AUTOPSY VERA CRUZ). Option A: Arrest. If you are certain of someone's guilt, it only remains for you to arrest him. Final Advice: Watch out for arbitrary arrest. Have you got all your facts right ? -------------------------------------- Other vehicle numbers: 75 = Paris 13 = Marseille 26 = Valence 42 = St Etienne 63 = Clermont Ferrand 69 = Lyon Wish you a lot of luck playing VERA CRUZ and also a lot of fun !