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Violent Crimes — Anchorage Police Department

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violent crimes

cold case unit

MISSION: The mission of the Anchorage Police Department Cold Case Section is to systematically review and investigate all unsolved deaths, sexual assaults, and missing persons in the APD jurisdiction that are reported to the APD.

TYPES OF CRIMES: APD classifies cold cases as unsolved murders, sexual assault, and long-term missing person's cases that were previously investigated but have remained unsolved.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY: The Cold Case Unit is primarily involved in unsolved murders, rapes, and missing persons cases in which all leads have been reasonably exhausted and, due to the passage of time and lack of investigative information, the cases are no longer actively pursued by investigators.

PERSONNEL ASSIGNED: There are currently a sergeant, two detectives, and a clerk assigned to the Cold Case Unit.

CASE PROCESS: Cases will be assigned on a case-by-case basis determined by the number of leads or physical evidence. Priority criteria will assist in filtering those cases that offer the highest potential for solvability with given resources from those with a lesser chance of resolution.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

+ will someone contact me if they begin working on my loved ones case?

Detectives will reach out to family when they have reviewed a case and are able to have a discussion regarding the next steps in the investigation. We encourage family members to call if they have questions or information regarding the case.

+ how can i find out if my loved one’s case is being investigated as a cold case?

If you'd like to know if an unsolved case involving a family member could be investigated as a cold case, call the cold case detective sergeant - APD Contact List - with as much information as possible regarding the case.

homicide unit

MISSION: The mission of the Anchorage Police Department Homicide Section is to investigate all homicides, officer-involved shootings, suspicious death, kidnappings, and missing persons in the Municipality of Anchorage.

TYPES OF CRIMES: The Homicide Unit is responsible for homicides, officer-involved shootings, suspicious death, kidnappings, and missing persons in the Municipality of Anchorage.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY: The Homicide Unit is responsible for investigating homicides, officer-involved shootings, suspicious death, kidnappings, and missing persons.

PERSONNEL ASSIGNED: There are currently seven detectives, one clerk, and a sergeant assigned to the Homicide Unit.

CASE PROCESS: All homicide cases, all suspicious or non-accidental child death cases in which child abuse is suspected, and all deaths of pre-school age children will be assigned. The unit supervisor will also review all death investigations, kidnapping, and all missing person cases, which will be assigned on a case by case basis.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

+ Why was I referred to the Homicide Unit for a natural or expected death?

All death investigations where officers respond are reviewed by the Homicide Unit Sergeant.

+ When will I get my loved ones property returned?

When Next of Kin is established and contacted and paperwork has been processed, our Property & Evidence Department will reach out to the family to coordinate the delivery of property. Weapons or items used in a suicide will not be returned earlier than 6 months.

+ When can property seized as evidence be returned?

Property taken by police as evidence cannot be returned until a case has been adjudicated or an agreement between the prosecuting agency and defense agency has been reached.

+ Where can I get the death certificate or autopsy report?

Autopsy reports can only be obtained from the Medical Examiner’s Office. Family can reach out to their selected Funeral Home or the Bureau of Vital Statistics to obtain death certificates.

+ When will detectives contact me about the case?

Detectives will contact family throughout their initial investigation. Please reach out to detectives with any questions or information you may have about the case. We recommend one family member as a point of contact to streamline communication. Without express permission to share, Detectives will only answer questions from family members.

robbery/assault unit

MISSION: The mission of the Anchorage Police Department Robbery/ Assault Section is to reduce and prevent harm and economic loss to the citizens and businesses of Anchorage through the identification and apprehension of Robbery/ Assault suspects and to assist with the criminal prosecution of defendants.

TYPES OF CRIMES: Felony Assaults, Robberies, and Misconduct Involving Weapons.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY: The Robbery/Assault Unit is primarily responsible for investigations of Felony Assaults, Robberies, and Misconduct Involving Weapons with the exception of Misconduct Involving Weapons in the Third Degree, which occur in Anchorage.

PERSONNEL ASSIGNED: Currently one sergeant, seven detectives and a clerk make up the Robbery/Assault Unit.

CASE PROCESS: The Unit Supervisor will review all Felony Assault, Robbery, and Misconduct Involving Weapons with the exception of Misconduct Involving Weapons in the Third Degree which is handled by the Property Crimes Unit. Reports will be assigned on a case by case basis if follow up or additional investigation is needed. The Robbery Assault Unit will follow the below-listed Case Triage Criteria in the assignment of cases for investigation. Case assignments will also be dependent on available resources.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

+ How can I get my property back?

All property seized as evidence or under a search warrant needs to be retained until the conclusion of the case, unless released through the prosecuting agency.