10 Tips on How to Find Old Homicide Cases
Homicides can be among some of the most mysterious and challenging cases for detectives to solve. Unfortunately, this means that many of them are left unsolved, often due to lack of evidence or resources. However, there are still ways to pursue justice even in old homicide cases. With a bit of patience and dedication, you can find the answers you’re looking for. In this blog post, we will cover 10 tips on how to effectively search for old homicide cases and bring closure to these unresolved mysteries.
Go to the county courthouse and look up old court cases
If you’re looking for old homicide cases, one place to start is the county courthouse. Court records are public information, so you should be able to access them easily. Simply go to the courthouse and ask to see the records for any homicide cases that have been tried in the past.
You may not be able to find detailed information on every case, but you should be able to get a general idea of what happened and who was involved. This can be a great way to get started on your research and to get a feel for how these cases were handled in the past.
Check with the local police department for any unsolved cases
If you’re interested in researching old homicide cases, the best place to start is with your local police department. Many departments have unsolved cases on their websites, and some even have dedicated sections for cold cases. You can also give them a call and ask if they have any unsolved homicides.
Keep in mind that not all police departments will be forthcoming with information on unsolved cases. Some may not want to reopen old wounds, while others may not want to provide information that could potentially lead to new leads or suspects. However, it’s always worth asking; you never know what you might find.
Try searching online databases for old news articles
If you’re looking for old homicide cases, one option is to search online databases for news articles. This can be a helpful way to find information on cold cases or unsolved murders.
There are a few different ways to search for old news articles. One is to use a general search engine like Google. You can also try searching specific databases, such as the ProQuest Historical Newspapers database.
When using a search engine, it’s important to use keywords that will help you narrow down your results. For example, if you’re looking for information on a specific case, you might include the name of the victim or the perpetrator. You can also try adding terms like “cold case” or “unsolved murder.”
Once you’ve found some relevant results, take some time to read through them carefully. You may find new details about the case that weren’t previously known. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the library for help.
Check with the district attorney’s office for any cold cases
If you are interested in investigating a cold case, the first step is to check with the district attorney’s office in the county where the crime occurred. The district attorney’s office will have information on all unsolved homicides in their jurisdiction.
You can also search for cold cases on the internet. There are several websites that list unsolved homicides by state. The National Cold Case Clearinghouse is a good place to start your search.
Once you have located a case that interests you, it is important to contact the district attorney’s office handling the case and obtain permission to investigate. Some district attorneys’ offices will allow private citizens to work on cold cases, but others will not.
It is also important to understand that investigating a cold case can be very time consuming and expensive. You will need to be prepared to devote a significant amount of time and resources to your investigation.
Visit the local library and look through old newspapers
If you’re hoping to find old homicide cases to investigate, one of the best places to start is your local library. Many libraries keep copies of local newspapers on microfilm or in digital format, which can be a treasure trove of information on unsolved murders.
To get started, simply visit your library and ask a librarian for help accessing the archives. Once you have the newspaper archives at your disposal, you can begin searching for old homicide cases by keyword or date.
If you’re not sure where to start, try looking for cases that were never solved or that received a lot of public attention at the time. By delving into thesecold case files, you might just be able to crack the case and bring justice to the victim’s family.
See if there are any private investigators who specialize in old cases
There are a few ways to find out if there are any private investigators who specialize in old cases. One way is to ask around. Talk to friends, family, and acquaintances who may have used the services of a private investigator before. If they know of someone who specializes in old cases, they may be able to give you a referral.
Another way to find out if there are any private investigators who specialize in old cases is to do an online search. Type in “private investigator” and “old cases” into your preferred search engine and see what comes up. There may be some listings for private investigators who have experience with old cases.
If you’re having trouble finding any private investigators who specialize in old cases, you could try contacting your local police department or sheriff’s office. They may be able to provide you with some leads.
Hire a genealogist to help you track down old families
If you’re looking for information on old homicide cases, one option is to hire a genealogist. A genealogist can help you research your family history and track down information on old cases. This may be helpful if you’re trying to find out more about a specific case or if you’re looking for information on a cold case.