the buzz log

In the criminal justice system, the people are represented by two separate yet equally important groups: the police, who investigate crime, and the district attorneys, who prosecute the offenders.

Wait—add a third: the viewers, who track down criminals on their own. Here is one story: Justine Faeth saves a dirty cup and used tissue, and catches a thief.

These days, most people would be hauling out the Purell and Lysol to clear away the biohazards, but Faether's not most people. Not only is she a New Yorker savvy to the ways of the criminal element, but the assistant at the Manhattan production company faithfully watches "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." After a co-worker found her iPod, phone, and wallet stolen from her bag, Faeth suspected the stranger who came by to pitch a story idea and then kept hanging around, claiming to feel poorly and fetching himself a glass of water before he'd leave.

The Law part, though, almost got foiled when the police didn't seem too interested in taking the cup and tissue, brewing with DNA evidence and germs, for only a robbery. But, the cops had a change of heart after watching video surveillance tape: The next day, they retrieved the cup and tissue from the trash, and arrested ex-con Kevin Moore, allegedly responsible for a rash of robberies. The Order part kicked in when Moore was charged with burglary and larceny.

Of course, any good "L&O" story has a twist: Faeth's tale of forensic preservation and fandom got her on the Today Show, where she received a shout-out from "L&O" role model Mariska Hargitay, and a walk-on. So far, no such offer for Moore, who made this all possible. Maybe there's an opportunity at "Law & Order: Criminal Intent."