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Law enforcement and academics working together on cold case investigations: lessons learned and paths forward

Bryanna Fox (Department of Criminology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA)
Lauren N. Miley (Department of Criminology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA)
Scott Allen (Department of Criminology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA)
Jordan Boness (Office of the State Attorney Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Hillsborough County, Tampa, Florida, USA)
Cassandra Dodge (Department of Criminology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA)
Norair Khachatryan (Department of Criminology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA)
MacKenzie Lyle (Eliot Community Human Services, Boston, Massachusetts, USA)
Sean McKinley (Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, USA)
Jeff Peake (Department of Investigations and Criminal Intelligence, Pasco Sheriff's Office, New Port Richey, Florida, USA)
Maria Rozo (Gulf Coast Jewish Family and Community Services, Clearwater, Florida, USA)

Journal of Criminal Psychology

ISSN: 2009-3829

Article publication date: 25 April 2020

Issue publication date: 5 May 2020

318

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to outline the specific details and lessons learned during a cold case collaborative effort, which granted graduate students and a professor from the University of South Florida the opportunity to assist Pasco Sheriff’s Office in the investigation of a cold case homicide.

Methodology

The collaboration between law enforcement and academics is a new and emerging strategy to investigate cold cases and identify the elusive offenders who committed these crimes. Such collaboration aids law enforcement by obtaining a force multiplier for investigative resources, accessing cutting-edge evidence-based research and cultivating innovative approaches to their work. For academics, such collaboration allows the unique opportunity to engage in translational criminology, which is an important and increasingly encouraged aspect of the field.

Findings

In this paper, the authors provide an overview of the process used to study this cold case as part of an experiential academic course, provide evidence-based research findings relevant to cold case investigations and outline the steps for others to replicate the efforts.

Originality/value

The authors describe in detail the process used to “work” the cold case, academic research that the authors found useful in understanding and investigating cold cases, important lessons learned and advice for future academics and practitioners who undertake an incredible collaborative effort such as this.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to give our sincerest thanks to Detective Todd Koenig, Captain Chris Beaman, Major Jeff Peake, and Sheriff Chris Nocco for collaborating on this fantastic experience, and llowing us to share all that we have learned along the way. The authors would also like to thank Josh Sims and Maria Trogolo for their support and assistance in the development of this service learning project.

Citation

Fox, B., Miley, L.N., Allen, S., Boness, J., Dodge, C., Khachatryan, N., Lyle, M., McKinley, S., Peake, J. and Rozo, M. (2020), "Law enforcement and academics working together on cold case investigations: lessons learned and paths forward", Journal of Criminal Psychology, Vol. 10 No. 2, pp. 93-111. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCP-09-2019-0040

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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