DPS License #1607394
A cold case is one in which the trail in the investigation reaches a dead end and the case remains unsolved. Needless to say, the lack of leads and dead ends in an investigation is hugely frustrating, not only for the investigators involved but also for the victim’s loved ones. A cold case investigator in Phoenix AZ, who may have new ideas on how to approach the unsolved mystery, may be called in to help with the case.
This guide covers the key steps, tools, and resources for starting a cold case investigation in Arizona.
What Is a Cold Case Investigation?
A cold case is an investigation in which all active leads have been exhausted and no new information has emerged, typically after three years, though there is no universal legal standard. Cold cases include homicides, missing persons, sexual assaults, and unidentified remains. Over 250,000 homicides in the U.S. have gone unsolved since 1980, and Arizona is no exception.
Going cold doesn’t mean unsolvable. Most cases stall because of limited resources and the technology available at the time, not because the truth doesn’t exist. Families and investigators can cross-reference open cases through the NamUs national missing persons database as a first step.
How to Work on a Cold Case Investigation: The 3-Step Process
For most people, trying to find new information to solve a cold case may seem like finding a needle in a haystack. After all, a long time has passed, witnesses may have died, records lost, and a timely gathering of evidence no longer possible.
The good news is that a cold case investigator expert does not need to start from scratch – there is information available. Some of the useful tools that are accessible to a cold case investigator include: police records, interview records, witnesses to be interviewed, case files, court evidence and death records.
The process of initiating a cold case investigation is a surprisingly simple albeit time-consuming. A cold case investigator will apply their expertise in detective work to the tools available to bring new life into a trail gone cold.
Following are the steps to start a cold case investigation:
Step 1: Gather All the Evidence
Gathering all evidence is a critical first step that will help a cold case investigator understand the current state of a case. This evidence will include information uncovered from criminal investigations, evidence collected by the clients, and –also important today– social media data. Depending on the case, this can include applying forensic document examination techniques we use to re-examine old paperwork, letters, or records for overlooked clues.
In Arizona, families can formally request case files, interview transcripts, and evidence logs from the relevant law enforcement agency under Arizona public records law. Social media archives and news coverage from the period can also fill gaps in the official record.
Step 2: Contact Witnesses
Talking to anyone connected to the case can shed new light on the facts and offer new leads to follow. For this step to prove fruitful, a cold case investigator will need to pose questions that were not asked in the original investigation.
Witnesses often share more with a private investigator than with police as there’s no badge, no interrogation room, and no formal pressure. If witnesses have moved or changed contact information, skip tracing can locate them using public records and proprietary databases.
In the original investigation, witnesses may have been hard to identify or find, leading to insufficient evidence. Talking to every person of interest identified can make all the difference in gaining additional knowledge of the case.
Another benefit of re-interviewing persons of interest is the opportunity to probe and pose questions that were not asked before. Re-interviewing witnesses allows a cold case investigator to uncover new pieces of evidence they need to move the case forward.
Step 3: Continue to Gather Evidence and Ask Questions
Step three is basically steps one and two on a loop that repeats itself until the case is solved. Undoubtedly, this is a laborious and time-consuming process that requires dedicated legwork. A cold case in which a cold case investigator persistently gathers new information, locates more witnesses to ask more questions and analyzes this information to ‘connect the dots’ is more likely to get the answers they need to close the case successfully.
If the case requires forensic re-analysis, DNA testing, or surveillance of a person of interest, that’s when to bring in a licensed private investigator. These steps require professional tools and documentation that meets legal standards.
Starting a Cold Case Investigation in Arizona: What You Need to Know
In Maricopa County, families can contact Phoenix PD or the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office to request a status update on an inactive case. However, departments are not required to reopen a case without new evidence — which is why many families turn to a private investigator.
Arizona has no statute of limitations on homicide. For other serious crimes, the limit varies, so understanding the legal timeframe is an important early step.
A licensed Arizona PI can access databases unavailable to the public, conduct surveillance, formally document evidence, and provide expert witness testimony.
Why Choose Cutty & Associates
When looking for the best cold case investigators in the business, you can put your trust in Cutty & Associates. Our cold case investigation experts have the right expertise and experience in proper documentation and evidence gathering to find a resolution and bring relief to the family of the victim.
Cutty Investigations holds DPS License #1607394 and has 30+ years of cold case experience in Phoenix. Call (602) 912-8565 for a free confidential consultation.