Sgt. Melissa Holbrook Houston Police Department

 Read report  Run criminal history check  Run location history for prior calls for service  Run check for prior family violence reports involving complainant and suspect  Request 911 tape  Interview complainant  Interview witnesses  Interview suspect

 Talk to neighbors  Talk to outcry witnesses  Get the evidence  Conduct lethality assessment  Talk to social worker/advocate  Contact parole/probation officer  Check social media  Talk to responding patrol officer(s)

 911 Tape  Police Report  Photographs  Victim, Witness, Suspect Statements  Medical Records  Other Evidence

 Look at the photos  Look at the medical records  Look at the physical evidence, if any: torn clothing, video, text messages, voice mail messages, s, weapons used  Review the statements of parties involved

 Mother, or other family members  Friends or Co-workers  Neighbors, store clerks, apartment manager, etc.  Emergency Personnel: EMS/Ambulance, Nurse  Law Enforcement  Prior intimate partners  Suspect’s family members or friends

Case Study

 Collaborative effort between law enforcement and prosecution  Must always be willing to look for more evidence  Creativity  Perseverance  Extra witness care  Anticipate defenses during the investigation

 Use or access to guns, weapons  Prior family violence or history of violence  Threats to kill  History of substance abuse  History of mental illness  History of sexual violence  Strangulation  Stalking  Violence during pregnancy

 Area family violence shelters  Protective Orders  Safety plans  Agency victim’s assistance programs  Counseling referrals  Legal advocacy assistance  National hotline numbers

 Video

 Confirm criminal history of offender  1 st time vs. serial offender  If possible, obtain the police reports  Talk to the probation officer  Don’t get sucked in  Maintain a healthy skepticism

 Reporting – Victim Safety Issues  Information can be shared with referral source  Example: Violation of Protective Order  Surveillance

 Increases victim safety  Holds offender accountable  Works toward goal of ending abusive behavior

Pitfalls, Roadblocks, Barriers, Success Stories???