The Basics of Homicide Investigation

Gregory “Greg” Munks was a sheriff at San Mateo County for 35 years before his retirement in 2012. As a sheriff, Greg Munks was in charge of several task forces and high-profile case investigations, such as narcotics enforcement, terrorism, sexual assaults, and homicides.

A homicide is the act of a person killing another. A homicide investigation involves the collection of evidence by investigators to identify who committed the crime. In a homicide investigation, the investigator may take blood samples, fingerprint people, or inspect the area for surveillance video.

An investigator or detective will begin questioning any witnesses or persons of interest and review the victim’s old receipts, credit card statements, and phone records to piece together a sequence of events or even try to discover any probable reasons for the murder.

Once the detective completes the initial investigation, they will compile their finding and bring them to a prosecutor, who then decides if there is sufficient evidence to prosecute a suspect. If so, the case proceeds to trial, whereby both the defense and prosecution present their arguments. The Jury then deliberates and reaches a decision, and if found guilty, the offender will be sentenced according to the gravity of the offense.