Ten recommendations are offered for ways in which law enforcement executives can assist in improving outcomes of homicide investigations.
First, establish and sustain an ongoing interaction with the department's homicide unit. Second, develop a formal structure that standardizes the management of homicide investigations. Third, require information sharing on the progress of homicide investigations. Fourth, ensure that homicide investigations are allocated appropriate resources of personnel, time, and expenses. Fifth, assess the current response of the department to victim-survivors of homicides. Sixth, build and reinforce partnerships with other criminal justice agencies and non-governmental organizations that can contribute to the provision of information, personnel, and operations for various types of homicide investigations and victim services. Seventh, build community resources and provide them guidance on options for their participation in homicide investigations. Eighth, manage political and public expectations of homicide investigations so that the realistic possibilities and limitations of homicide investigations are clear. Ninth, know the statistics related to homicides (solved and unsolved) within the jurisdiction served. Tenth, measure the factors in case closures and lessons learned. Ways of implementing each recommendation are discussed.