“Who is Where?” Cold Case Investigation and Collaborations Between Law Enforcement and Academia
Published date | 01 November 2023 |
DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/10887679221137583 |
Author | Karen Holt,Allison Rojek,Makayla Mason,Larry Rothman |
Date | 01 November 2023 |
Subject Matter | Special Issue Articles |
https://doi.org/10.1177/10887679221137583
Homicide Studies
2023, Vol. 27(4) 493 –505
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DOI: 10.1177/10887679221137583
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Special Issue Article
“Who is Where?” Cold
Case Investigation and
Collaborations Between Law
Enforcement and Academia
Karen Holt1, Allison Rojek1, Makayla Mason1,
and Larry Rothman2
Abstract
Innovative strategies can be utilized to investigate unsolved homicides, particularly
through translational criminology. We present a case study of a collaboration
developed between faculty and students in the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan
State University and Michigan State Police’s First District in Lansing, Michigan. We
highlight the benefits of including academics and students in these investigations and
explore and critique the methodology we utilized to review a 41-year-old cold case
homicide. We argue that these teams are a valuable resource with implications for
the criminal justice system, the legitimacy of law enforcement, and the victims and
their families.
Keywords
cold case homicide, translational criminology, multidisciplinary approach, investigation,
policing, inactive homicides
Introduction
Translational criminology refers to the interface between scientific discoveries
through empirical research and policy and practice (National Institute of Justice/
1Michigan State University, East Lansing, USA
2Michigan State Police, Lansing, USA
Corresponding Author:
Karen Holt, Michigan State University, School of Criminal Justice, 655 Auditorium Road, East Lansing, MI
48824, USA.
Email: holtkar1@msu.edu
Correction (June 2023): Article updated online to correct “(cite)” to “(Davis et al., 2014)” in the
Discussion section. Reference “Davis, R. C., Jensen III, C. J., Burgette, L., & Burnett, K. (2014). Working
smarter on cold cases: Identifying factors associated with successful cold case investigations. Journal of
Forensic Sciences, 59(2), 375–382.” has also been added in the References section.
1137583HSXXXX10.1177/10887679221137583Homicide StudiesHolt et al.
research-article2022
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