There was no social media or surveillance cameras.
Now DNA is used, which can identify an individual using his DNA to one in a billion, quadrillion or greater. In 1993, we just had blood typing that was used to help identity people to a crime scene. We use to handwrite all reports and then typed them on a typewriter. When I first started working cases, we didn't have computers.
I began working as a homicide detective in 1993, and technology is the biggest change over that time. How long have you been a homicide detective? What's changed over that time? These days are special because we can then explain to a family that we know who is responsible for killing their loved one. It is also rewarding to hear one of the detectives get the call from the district attorney that a jury just convicted a suspect who is responsible for a murder. It is exciting to watch a detective interviewing a suspect, and getting that suspect to make admissions or confess to a murder. If I am to use an old cliché, as homicide detectives we get to speak for the dead. It is satisfying to watch a team of detectives getting excited that they just got their suspect identified or have a enough evidence to file a case against a murderer. What makes a special day, is watching the detectives put together their cases and solving them. I have the privilege of working with and supervising arguably the best detectives in the world. I am fortunate that every day is a good day on the job. What makes for a really good day on the job? All of this tends to make for long days and end of watch is rarely what it is scheduled to be. The victims are not always gang members but the suspects usually are. I also meet with gang intervention personnel and discuss the potential of retaliation because a high number of the murders in 77th division have some relationship to street gangs.
#Lapd 77th division update
I also meet with the area captain and the bureau chief and update them on the status of the case to help assist them in the assignment of uniformed officers in the area for future crime prevention and apprehension. I oversee all of this and monitor the investigative team who is assigned the case and the teams that are assisting them. Some of tasks can be locating and interviewing witnesses, re-canvassing the crime scene for additional witnesses or evidence, locating and downloading surveillance footage, booking evidence, searching through criminal data bases, and meeting with other law enforcement officers, who have expertise in the area where the crime occurred. I then assess if more detectives need to be called in to start early and start handing out tasks to be completed. So, on those days, my watch officially starts when I arrive at the crime scene. When a murder occurs it is rarely during business hours it is usually between 10pm and 3am. But that's only the case if we didn't have a homicide overnight.
#Lapd 77th division series
I then usually do a series of administrative functions: completing time sheets, signing overtime slips, reviewing search warrants, court orders, etc. Next, based on the teams of detectives' availability, I determine who is going to be on call with me during the week (they get to pre-schedule what weekend they have in advance). I then transition the conversation into getting updates on their current investigations and their investigative plans to solve their cases.
First thing I do is meet with the members of my squad, as they get their morning cups of coffee. I usually start my day between 6-7am, depending on the LA traffic. However, since I am the homicide supervisor, I am always on call. I work what's called a 9/17 shift, which means that I work nine-hour days, nine out of 10 weekdays, with weekends off. First of all, there is never a typical workday for a homicide detective.
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