Cold Case Homicides: Practical Investigative Techniques (Hardcover)

~ (Editor) "The purpose of this chapter is to present the background of homicide in the U.S., how it has been identified and recorded, and the emergent..." (more)
Key Phrases: cold case investigators, forensic unknown, case homicide investigators, Los Angeles, San Diego, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

--Dr. Henry C. Lee, Chief Emeritus, Department of Public Safety Division of Scientific Services, Connecticut, USA

-Jim Trainum , detective, Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police, in Subject to Debate, Police Executive Research Forum Newsletter, April 2007

Richard Walton has successfully created a repository of information for both new and experienced cold case detectives. Drawing from his own experience as well as that of hundreds of detectives, supervisors, prosecutors, agencies and other experts, Walton developed more than just a how to guide; his book is a valuable resource for anyone involved with cold case investigations.
…Most importantly, throughout the book Walton demonstrates
practical application through case studies, which is how law enforcement learns best.
The last chapter of the book list additional valuable resources
that are available to the cold case investigator. Walton details the services available from both the public and private sectors, many of which are not as well known to law enforcement as they should be. Cold Case Homicides: Practical Investigative Techniques is destined to be a classic in investigative literature.
-Jim Trainum , detective, Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police, in Subject to Debate, Police Executive Research Forum Newsletter, April 2007

Richard Walton has successfully created a repository of information for both new and experienced cold case detectives. Drawing from his own experience as well as that of hundreds of detectives, supervisors, prosecutors, agencies and other experts, Walton developed more than just a how to guide; his book is a valuable resource for anyone involved with cold case investigations.
…Most importantly, throughout the book Walton demonstrates
practical application through case studies, which is how law enforcement learns best.
The last chapter of the book list additional valuable resources
that are available to the cold case investigator. Walton details the services available from both the public and private sectors, many of which are not as well known to law enforcement as they should be. Cold Case Homicides: Practical Investigative Techniques is destined to be a classic in investigative literature.
-Jim Trainum , detective, Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police, in Subject to Debate, Police Executive Research Forum Newsletter, April 2007

The International Association of Chief's of Police and the National Sheriff's Association should require that every law enforcement agency in America have at least one copy of this very valuable book.
-Tom Cronin, Criminal Profiler, Commander (Retired) Chicago Police Department

The International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Sheriffs Association should require that every law enforcement agency in America have at least one copy of this very valuable book.
-Tom Cronin, Criminal Profiler, Commander (Retired) Chicago Police Department

This is probably the best book I have ever read in this topic area…detailed description of terminology, case examples, and references provide the reader with an in-depth knowledge of investigation of sexually-related death.

This is probably the best book I have ever read in this topic area…detailed description of terminology, case examples, and references provide the reader with an in-depth knowledge of investigation of sexually-related death.

…I have read material written by the FBI, NCIS, and others, but none of them compare to Mr. Walton's book. Not only is it thorough and professionally written but it speaks to officers/detectives from another officer's/detective's point of view. It is the only piece of literature that I could find on the topic area that was complete and described what has been done and what may be helpful to do while working a cold case investigation. …Mr. Walton should take pride in a book that I consider my Cold Case Homicide Bible.
…The Fayetteville Police Department has utilized this book to revise and realign the Cold Case Homicide Unit in accordance with several suggestions that I made after I read this book.
- James Nolette, Cold Case Homicide detective, Fayetteville Police Department, North Carolina

…I have read material written by the FBI, NCIS, and others, but none of them compare to Mr. Waltons book. Not only is it thorough and professionally written but it speaks to officers/detectives from another officers/detectives point of view. It is the only piece of literature that I could find on the topic area that was complete and described what has been done and what may be helpful to do while working a cold case investigation. …Mr. Walton should take pride in a book that I consider my Cold Case Homicide Bible.
…The Fayetteville Police Department has utilized this book to revise and realign the Cold Case Homicide Unit in accordance with several suggestions that I made after I read this book.
- James Nolette, Cold Case Homicide detective, Fayetteville Police Department, North Carolina

Product Description

Written by a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience in law enforcement, Cold Case Homicides: Practical Investigative Techniques provides effective and accessible information to those responsible for investigating and resolving previously examined - but still unsolved - cold case homicides.

The book merges theory with practice through the use of case histories, photographs, illustrations, and checklists that convey essential, fundamental concepts while providing a strong, practical basis for the investigative process. It combines proven techniques from forensics, psychology, and criminal investigation, and focuses on technologies that may not have been available at the time of the crime.

This guide defines the characteristics of a cold case homicide; details various investigative methods used by law enforcement agencies; explores the actual experiences of detectives in re-opening case files; and presents current technologies such as ViCAP, HITS, and TracKRS used in the identification of cases related to the re-opened case, or its perpetrator. It also highlights technological changes that contribute greatly to law enforcement's abilities to solve cold case homicides such as computerized print technology, the specificity of DNA, and the expanding data banks that enable the linkage of previously unknown suspects to the crimes they committed.

Addressing methods particularly valuable to cold cases, Cold Case Homicides: Practical Investigative Techniques assists the investigator in being prepared, focused, objective - and successful in obtaining the truth.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 672 pages
• Publisher: CRC; 1 edition (June 13, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 084932209X
• ISBN-13: 978-0849322099
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 6.9 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #449,847 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars COLD CASE HOMICIDES IS HOT!, August 9, 2006

By	Steve Hodel (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

Dr. Richard Walton's COLD CASE HOMICIDES is not just a textbook for cops and criminalists. His well researched, plain talking "How To" is for anyone and everyone interested in knowing how a real murder case is painstakingly put together, a fiber of trace evidence here, a reinterview of a cold case witness there, until it is solved. Its all here, from crime-scene to courtroom. This is a must have, easy reading reference book that should be in the library of every mystery fan and writer. Law enforcement professionals know the value of this book and I expect it has already been shipped to most police academies and Criminology 101 classes. But, I believe the book's greatest contribution will come from how it informs the layperson of how real cold case murder investigations should be conducted. Congratulations to Dr. Walton on a job WELL DONE.

Steve Hodel
L.A.P.D. Homicide Detective Supervisor (ret.)
Author, Black Dahlia Avenger: A Genius for Murder

5.0 out of 5 stars Comprehensive and Practical, July 31, 2006

By	L. Velarde (Irvine, California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Dr. Walton has done an excellent job of presenting one of the few textbooks on this topic. This is a thoroughly researched and carefully documented book containing not only Dr. Walton's expertise on the subject matter but that of several other experts in the fields of behavioral profiling, geographic profiling, forensic document examination, and forensic dentistry. The illustrations are excellent and tell much of the story visually. The last chapter, which details how investigators solved one of the oldest cold cases to date had me reading late into the night, even though I knew how it ended from reading newspaper articles at the time!

5.0 out of 5 stars Great textbook for ALL homicide investigations !, July 28, 2006

By	Barry A. Brown "District Attorney Chief Inves... (Northern California) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I am a retired Chief Investigator for a DA's office in California with over 30 years of criminal investigation experience. I currently operate a private investigation business, also in California. I have specialized in the investigation of violent crime for decades and have taught related courses at the college level. This textbook is by far the best homicide investigation textbook that I have ever encountered. While the title might lead one to believe it is primarily a "Cold Case Homicide" textbook, it is actually the best text on ALL homicide investigations that I've found. It's a "must have" for anyone involved in such investigations or teaching a course on any kind of homicide or other violent crime.