Prison cards detail unsolved cases

COLUMBIA, S.C., Nov. 16 (UPI) -- South Carolina officials said more than 10,000 decks of playing cards bearing the images of victims in unsolved cases have been sold in the state's prisons.

Each of the playing cards, which first appeared in South Carolina prison canteens about a year ago for $1.72 a pack, bears the picture and case details of someone reported missing or dead in an open case, The New York Times reported Monday.

Tom Lucas, whose son, Brian Lucas, 29, is pictured on the ace of spades, said he was looking for a way to help with the investigation into his son's slaying when he learned about Effective Playing Cards and Publications. The company had created the "unsolved" cases decks for prisons in Florida and several scattered counties across the United States.

With the help of the Crime Stoppers Council, Gov. Mark Sanford and law enforcement officials, Lucas designed a deck for South Carolina prisons and the packs replaced the cards previously sold in the prisons.

Officials said the cards have yet to contribute to the solving of a case, but Lucas said police have received dozens of tips.