3 answers
Zakura
Student
Baguio, Cordillera Administrative Region, Philippines
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Can a Private Investigator/Detective solve a HOMICIDE CASE?
Can a Private Investigator/Detective solve a HOMICIDE CASE? #criminal-justice #homicide #case #homicidecases
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3 answers
Kim Igleheart
Career Counselor | Police Officer
1738
Answers
San Antonio, Texas
Updated
Kim’s Answer
The case would be officially handled by the police.
Working for a criminal defense attorney (if a suspect had been arrested), your investigation could lead to a different suspect. That information would be turned over to the police or the district attorney, who likely would "take the credit" for solving the case.
If no suspect had been arrested, it is possible the family would retain you to conduct an investigation if they were not satisfied with actions taken by the police. Again, in order for there to be an arrest, the information would need to be turned over to the police. A private investigator often works in the background, and does not always get recognition for his/her work.
Working for a criminal defense attorney (if a suspect had been arrested), your investigation could lead to a different suspect. That information would be turned over to the police or the district attorney, who likely would "take the credit" for solving the case.
If no suspect had been arrested, it is possible the family would retain you to conduct an investigation if they were not satisfied with actions taken by the police. Again, in order for there to be an arrest, the information would need to be turned over to the police. A private investigator often works in the background, and does not always get recognition for his/her work.
thank you very much for answering my question
Zakura
Michelle Flahive-LeFebvre
Latent Print Examiner
63
Answers
El Paso, Texas
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
If the family of a victim in a cold case hired the private investigator...they might find out some information - but they would still need to work with the police or sheriff's office to solve it.
Ramesh Nyberg
FL
18
Answers
Miami, Florida
Updated
Ramesh’s Answer
Since I've been both, let me answer this for you: it is the job and duty of public (police) investigators to be assigned homicide cases and solve them. A private investigator will rarely work on a homicide case, with two exceptions:
1) They are hired by a family that is unhappy with the police investigation - this is rare, but it happens
2) They are hired by a criminal defense attorney who represents a defendant accused of murder - this is more common, where the investigator is trying to assist in the defense of the accused by finding evidence that is contrary to the prosecution's case.
Scenario 1, yes, the investigator might well "solve" the case, but whatever evidence/witnesses he or she has uncovered to solve the case will be turned over to law enforcement so that they can bring the case into the court system. The private investigator then becomes a witness.
I hope this helps
1) They are hired by a family that is unhappy with the police investigation - this is rare, but it happens
2) They are hired by a criminal defense attorney who represents a defendant accused of murder - this is more common, where the investigator is trying to assist in the defense of the accused by finding evidence that is contrary to the prosecution's case.
Scenario 1, yes, the investigator might well "solve" the case, but whatever evidence/witnesses he or she has uncovered to solve the case will be turned over to law enforcement so that they can bring the case into the court system. The private investigator then becomes a witness.
I hope this helps