Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Reinvestigation

Sometimes crimes go unsolved or "cold". Other times, like in Sole Survivor, a reinvestigation or a "follow-up" takes place. Here's a basic idea of the steps involved in a reinvestigation.


  • Step One: review all case files and reports generated. This includes interviews, statements, and reports typed by by officers and examiners - i.e. autopsy, ballistic reports, etc.
  • Step Two: review the crime scene photos, diagrams, maps, and, if possible, view the scene. Make note of possible witnesses or discrepancies. 
  • Step Three: re-interview witnesses as needed or as available. Also re-interview suspects.
  • Step Four: look at the evidence if possible. Determine what, if any, follow-up tests might be useful, especially with a cold case.
  • Step Five: consider a reconstruction of the crime scene.
  • Step Six: check databases for similar crimes or information on suspects.
  • Step Seven: proceed as necessary - maybe arrest or have search warrants for suspects' homes.
Again, this varies depending on the crime, the circumstances, and the outcome of the case -- solved versus unsolved, etc. 

I've found that it helps to have crime scene sketches and "reports" of various incidents for the J. Carter & Associates series. They don't have to be pretty - just functional. I tend to put my locations in or around real locations. Sometimes the buildings are real (the library in Sole Survivor is located in Edgewater and has a road beside it and a small patch of trees) and others are placed where some buildings already exist - the house on the cliffside for example - or the Robertson mansion.