If he was not involved in the preparation of a disrespectful composite picture involving state Sen. Jane Orie, R-40th, the lead investigator in the public corruption case against her, when learning about the picture or seeing it for the first time, should have demanded that it be removed and destroyed.

Instead, the picture, titled “Jane Orie Photo Array,” was seen “several” times by the chief investigator, Detective Lyle Graber, near a receptionist’s area at Graber’s investigative offices in Dormont. What’s troubling is that Graber, based on the fact that the picture remains, obviously issued no directive saying that he was upset that the picture had been produced.

According to a Dec. 14 Associated Press article, the picture appears to be a mock photo lineup, a collection of mug shots shown to help witnesses identify a criminal perpetrator. The picture shows Orie’s photo juxtaposed with four others: two demons, an unknown person making a funny face and a photograph of Graber.

Graber should have issued a directive from the start that the picture on display in the building housing his office — a picture revealing immaturity, at best — be destroyed. He should have made clear that he neither condoned nor was amused by the picture.

Because he didn’t, the picture — or at least a copy of it — remained “in circulation,” allowing Orie’s defense attorney to obtain it and raise legitimate questions about it in court.

The main issue that the picture rightfully revived — which was first raised by Orie after charges against her were filed — is whether the case is a political vendetta against her.

William Costopoulos, Orie’s lawyer, has argued that the prosecution of the Republican senator by Democratic District Attorney Stephen Zappala Jr. is motivated by Orie’s opposition to the gambling industry, in which Zappala’s father and other family members have an interest.

In addition, the introduction of the picture, which occurred Monday during the first day of Orie’s pretrial hearing, raised the questions of whether Graber harbored any personal or political animosity toward the senator — and whether the Orie investigation had become a joke in Graber’s office.

At Monday’s court session, Graber testified that the probe had not become a joke, at least not to his knowledge, and that he had no personal animosity toward Orie, whom he said he didn’t know outside the scope of the investigation.

Still, the picture in question is not a flattering reflection on the offices and work of Zappala and Graber. It represents a troubling twist in the case.

Instead of Orie, her actions and the orders she gave to staffers being the sole focus of Monday’s pretrial hearing, the prosecution put itself in the position of having to defend its conduct and motives.

The people of Orie’s district and people across the commonwealth want corruption in their state government rooted out — and those involved in illegal conduct punished.

However, those charged with investigating corruption shouldn’t be on the defensive as well.

Unfortunately, Graber’s response to the composite picture — or the lack of immediate response — deserves as much scrutiny as the theft-of-services and conflict-of-interest allegations lodged against Orie.