5 Critical Lessons Learned from a Child Molest Investigation 27 Years After the Crime
This presentation highlights the successful investigation and prosecution of a serious child molest case of substantial abuse 27 years after the crime – with no DNA, no confession, no known witnesses, and no known physical evidence. The presentation highlights five critical lessons learned from the investigation: the evidential value of mementos; victim’s delay in reporting not indicative of deception; the successful investigator’s mindset; ways to corroborate a victim; and the importance of self-care for the child abuse investigator. The presentation also discusses ways to obtain a search warrant and find evidence even after years have passed. This case has been highlighted as an example of how to investigate cold child molest cases in the San Diego County law enforcement community for several years.