If it's your property (home, photos, memories) that is destroyed in the process (possibly leaving you at least temporarily homeless), I would say it's significantly different. Should police reallty be empowered to employ "scorched earth" mentality?
I'm not saying that's what happened. Maybe the suspect set the fire. But to answer your question, YES, there is a big difference. They can wait him out. Shut off his water and electricity. Negotiate. Lie. At least give it 72 hrs or a week.
Wasn't he reported to have hostages? Or did that turn out to be incorrect? What about them? Had he killed them? Could LAPD have known if they were alive? What about their bodies?
-rvb
I'm surprised they just didn't drone strike the cabin.
In the interest of officer and public safety of course.
They were caught red handed.
Report: Dorner's wallet found in burned-out cabinAfter authorities interviewed the boat captain early Thursday, they found Dorner's wallet and identification cards "at the San Ysidro Point of Entry" near the U.S.-Mexico border.
Christopher Dorner's wallet found inside burned cabin, reports say | World news | guardian.co.ukA wallet with a California driver's license bearing the name Christopher Dorner also was found, the Associated Press reported, citing a law enforcement official who was briefed on the investigation but declined to be named because of the ongoing probe.
Chris Dorner's wallet and California driver's license found after shootout, blaze: Sources - Washington TimesInvestigators have reportedly found Christopher Dorner's wallet beside charred human remains at the forest cabin where he made a last stand, giving California police some peace of mind as they prepared to bury their dead.
LAPD: Dorner hunt still on in Big Bear | UTSanDiego.comOne official with knowledge of the police investigation who spoke on condition of anonymity said investigators found a California driver’s license with the name Christopher Dorner on it, along with a wallet and various personal items, inside the cabin, according to The Associated Press.
An investigator working the case said that a wallet and identification cards belonging to Dorner were recovered last week at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, according to a federal complaint filed Thursday in Santa Ana. That contradicts with what authorities said on Thursday, when it was reported that a shuttle bus driver turned over Dorner’s wallet, LAPD police badge and photo ID to San Diego police after a passer-by found them near Lindbergh Field.
Wallets generally won't burn up too badly because of their density and because they usually pressed up against the body. The outside may burn but the contents will remain fairly well intact. Generally.
What exactly where they caught red handed doing? Cussing? The shame...