COVID-19’s Effects on Homicide Investigation

Abstract

COVID-19 affected every aspect of our society, including homicide incidence, investigation, and prosecution. This case study examines the impact of COVID-19 on homicide investigation in one large metropolitan police department. Two homicide investigators were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. A thematic analytic approach was used to identify two overarching themes: fear and changes to investigative procedure. Detectives feared getting COVID-19 and possibly transmitting it to their loved ones, particularly in the early day of the pandemic when little was known about transmission. Homicide investigators faced several changes to how they conducted interviews, met with families, and sought warrants. While this case study only offers a glimpse into the challenges faced by law enforcement departments due to COVID-19, it is clear that homicide investigations were greatly affected and may continue to be so. More research is needed to unpack the relationship between COVID-19 and policies that were implemented in response to it.