Twice during the episode, Lt. Dan asked Second Life guy to track the IP address of another user on the grid. Including having a high speed jet pack (magic legs?) race to follow the griefing furry.

Looking up at Eros v. ‘Catteneo’ (just in case Leatherwood is NOT ‘Catteneo’). Alterman needed to request the IP address of ‘Catteneo’ through a normal court process.

So when did tracing an IP address become “hot pursuit”? I don’t feel like going through the wiretap acts just right now, and maybe the furry in showing knowledge about the real Venus’ death created enough probable cause to pursue the IP address without a warrant, but there was no crime being committed at the time, and the same procedure that the Detectives used in getting Venus’ IP still existed. (Although that’s an interesting suggestion, the IP was turned over by the Lindens pursuant to a police investigation without needing to get a warrant or court order. The police simply needed to ask.)

I know CSI:NY is fictional. But I like to through up flags when soemthing procedural doesn’t feel right.