Forensic Evidence in Homicide Investigations

The grantee will conduct a study to determine how homicide investigators use both analyzed and unanalyzed forensic evidence during the course of their investigations. Research questions include the examinations of how evidence contributes to an investigation, how evidence combines with other investigative procedures to lead to arrest, how investigators decide the items of evidence to submit for forensic analysis, and how results from forensic analysis influence the direction of investigations. The Cleveland, Ohio, Police Department has agreed to cooperate in this study by providing access to investigative reports and forensic analysis reports, as well as access to homicide investigators to discuss their assigned cases. Data will be collected on approximately 300 homicides that occurred between 2009 and 2011 in the city. Data will be analyzed using bivariate and multivariate analyses as appropriate to answer the research questions.
ca/ncf