Cold Case Homicide - Pima County Sheriff's Department

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About Us

We are the seekers of truth.
We are the hopes of families.
We are the fears of those that commit crimes upon us.

Sergeant B. Foust	(520) 351-4806	bfoust@pimasheriff.net
Detective J. Gamber	(520) 351-4862	jgamber@pimasheriff.net
Detective K. Anderson	(520) 351-4303	kanderson@pimasheriff.net
Detective D. Preuss	(520) 351-4834	dpreuss@pimasheriff.net
Detective W. Thomason	(520) 351-4694	wthomason@pimasheriff.net

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department’s Cold Case Homicide Unit is responsible for investigating inactive homicide cases where the offense occurred in unincorporated Pima County, Arizona and the case is at least two (2) years old. All inactive cases are reviewed by the Pima County Attorney’s Office and Cold Case detectives to determine the solvability of each case. Once a case is assigned to the Cold Case Unit, detectives re-interview all individuals associated with the case, re-examine all evidence, and submit evidence for current more-advanced testing. Cases are investigated until all leads have been exhausted. There is never a guarantee that a case will be solved. Unsolved homicide cases are never closed. It is hoped that improved technology will one day make all cases solvable.

Overview

Since the earliest days of law enforcement there has always been unsolved criminal events. None are more tragic for the victim’s family and the law enforcement officer than those involving homicide. Many factors play a role in law enforcement’s inability to resolve crimes such as homicides. Some of those factors are:

Lack of evidence and/or witnesses
Lack of resources and/or manpower
Lack of training or scientific technology to examine existing evidence

Over the last decade many new resources and technological advances have been discovered which allow detectives to go back and re-review Cold Cases and dramatically increasing the potential of resolving those cases. These new resources include:

DNA Sequencing - Mitochondrial DNA
New evidence collection procedures
New and/or improved evidence collection tools
Advanced technology of computer software
- Fingerprint identification
- Photo and video enhancement
- Crime scene processing
- Crime scene re-enactment
Community outreach to solicit information
- Expanded news media coverage
- Tip lines
- Internet websites
Ballistic databases
DNA databases
Required DNA samples from all individuals convicted of felonies
- Since January 2004 in Arizona - see A.R.S. 13-610 and A.R.S. 13-501
- Other States carry the same requirement

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department’s Cold Case Unit Needs Your Help

Following are some cases currently being investigated by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department’s Cold Case Homicide Unit. If you have any information regarding these unsolved cases, please contact the Pima County Sheriff’s Department or 88-CRIME.

Help us to solve these crimes and provide some closure to the victims’ families.