Cold-Case Homicides (click here to view a Cold Case)

Family members and other survivors of murder victims must endure much hardship as they try to recover from their tragic losses. Aside from the mental anguish and loss of companionship or friendship, survivors often have the added burden of financial hardship. What’s worse is when the person(s) responsible has gone unidentified, or remains free from arrest because of a lack of sufficient evidence. The investigative agency has to scale back their efforts after leads have been exhausted, or other cases require the investigators to move on.

Formerly, when a case grew old and leads were exhausted, the case usually remained unsolved. That has changed over the past couple of decades. Thanks to advances in forensics, including DNA, many of these aged cases previously thought to be “unsolveable” are being reopened and solved.

Besides scientific advances, there are other reasons why time is not always detrimental to solving old cases. For example, a witness who had formerly withheld information may come forward with the missing clue. Witnesses usually withhold information out of fear of retaliation. As time passes, the person they feared might have grown old and feeble and is no longer considered a threat. Or, that person might have been incarcerated, moved far away, or even died. For whatever reason, the witness is now willing to divulge new details that can help to solve the case. And, sometimes a witness had valuable information for years, but didn’t realize the significance; or, perhaps they were never questioned. Many agencies do not have the resources to devote to a “cold-case” detail to look into these old cases, so the murder remains unsolved. Our agency may be able to help.

Ross-Graham Investigations, LLC will investigate the crime scene, if possible. Many times items of evidence are overlooked during the initial crime scene examination. Sometimes a key piece of evidence is discovered days, months, even years after the crime occurred. The agency has access to some of the foremost forensic medical examiners and forensic profilers in the nation. They will examine autopsy reports and photographs of the crime scene and autopsy. They may discover evidence that was previously overlooked. They may recognize certain behavior that helps them to develop a “profile” of the killer. Or, they may be able to provide an alternative theory about the cause of death.

Our agency has experience in investigating homicides and other deaths. But, we have an added investigative tool that is not readily available to many other agencies. We have had the good fortune to work with one of the foremost forensic profilers in the world, Colonel Robert K. Ressler, and his agency, Forensic Behavioral Services, Int. Having previously consulted cases with Rich and Betsy, Mr. Ressler has confidence in their investigative abilities to the extent that he has begun referral of cases requiring the services of private detectives. Though Mr. Ressler is kept busy consulting cases worldwide, he has agreed to provide our agency with special access to his services when needed.

Mr. Ressler and his associate Doctor Thomas Muller (European assistant in Austria), are skilled in identifying behavioral characteristics that are displayed by the offenders who commit murders and other crimes, particularly serial offenders. They then use their skills to develop a “profile” of the offender. Using this profile, the investigators can quickly eliminate from suspicion those persons who do not fit the profile. They can then focus on individuals matching the profile, thus narrowing the field of possible suspects. Mr. Ressler’s profiles have also been used to free innocent people who were unjustly arrested and convicted. Meanwhile, the true offender remained at large. Mr. Ressler has experienced associates and a worldwide network of professionals in all areas of forensics and investigations whom he can call upon to assist our agency, if needed.

Robert Ressler, retired FBI agent and retired from the United States Army with the rank of Colonel, is an accomplished author, guest lecturer and educator. He has assisted law enforcement officials throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe in their investigations of homicides and serial killings. He has interviewed numerous murderers and serial killers. To learn more about Robert Ressler you can visit his web site at www.robertkressler.com.

Other Death Investigations

Ross-Graham Investigations, LLC will conduct an independent inquiry into death incidents when the client is concerned that the official investigation was flawed. We’ve all heard about cases wherein the official investigation has concluded that a decedent death was “accidental” or “suicide”, only to learn later that new information revealed that the death was actually “homicide”.

Authorities are often reluctant to reopen these cases after they have made their ruling. This can occur simply because the authorities are confident that their findings were accurate. In other cases the authorities may be aware that they could have erred. But, to avoid public embarrassment and criticism, possible civil suits, and for other reasons they may decline to reopen a case.

Our agency has qualified investigators and forensic experts who can conduct an independent examination of the facts and determine the true cause of death. If the authorities were wrong, then the decedent and his/her survivors deserve to set the record straight. Even if an independent inquiry confirms the official findings, the client will still feel better to know that all reasonable efforts were made to ascertain the truth.