What Factors Influence Whether Homicide Cases Are Solved? Insights From Qualitative Research With Detectives in Great Britain and the United States

Abstract

A growing body of research examines factors that influence the likelihood of solving homicide cases. Much of this research emanates from North America and is based on quantitative analysis of police data. This article explores the views of homicide detectives, complemented by observations of investigations, in both Great Britain and the United States, regarding factors that affect the chances of solving homicides. Although we find some important differences between nations, the qualitative evidence suggests that the likelihood of solving even the most challenging homicide cases in both nations can be influenced by police agency at the individual and strategic level.

Dead Reckoning: Unraveling How “Homicide” Cases Travel From Crime Scene to Court Using Qualitative Research Methods

“…Subsequently, we draw upon two case studies to illustrate, in much finer detail, the socially organized scientific, legal, and occupational practices deployed by institutionally authorized actors who were involved in establishing cause and mode of death, and progressing these cases through to the point of charging the suspect. The nature of our data means that they depict a higher detection rate than usually seen in Britain, which is around 90% (Brookman et al, 2019). As such, our data do not permit us to reflect more broadly on suspected homicide cases that are discontinued because, with the exception of one observed investigation (discussed below), all cases that we studied resulted in a successful prosecution.…”

Getting the Perpetrator Incorporated and Prioritized in Homicide Investigations: The Development and Evaluation of a Case-Specific Element Library (C-SEL)

“…In the literature, no comprehensive overview of case dynamic factors was found that could be used to select elements for our library. However, in recent qualitative research, detectives described cases as “difficult to solve” when lacking physical or trace evidence (such as DNA, CCTV, fingerprint, ballistic, or other trace evidence) and/or witness evidence [ 8 ]. Elements dealing with witness statements, physical evidence, and digital evidence will be included in the library.…”

“…The increasing availability of data is one of the challenges the police are now facing in community policing, emergency response, and also in homicide investigations. Information overload is accompanied by excessive time demands on detectives to make sense of information, which leads to systematic delays in processing intelligence or evidence [ 8 ]. The volume of information that is generated in investigations can be seen as one of the reasons that cases in the future will become cold cases [ 9 ].…”

Investigating homicide: back to the future

“…However, exploring the reliance on science and detective skills in relation to the investigation of cold cases, Allsop (2018) found that the two worked hand in hand and that detective skills are necessary in ensuring the efficient use of science and technology. Alternatively, Brookman et al (2018) found that with the progression of science and technology, traditional detective skills have diminished, with interviewees describing how shortcuts were sometimes taken because of advances in this field. Furthermore, published audits consistently highlight a poor knowledge of forensic science in the police service, including in homicide investigations (Fraser, 2007) and forensics has been identified as one of the main areas of failure in homicide reviews (Nicol et al, 2004).…”