Investigation and Prosecution of Cold Case Homicides

This comprehensive two-day training equips criminal justice professionals with the investigative and prosecutorial strategies necessary to successfully address unresolved and dormant homicide cases. Participants will enhance their skills through examination of real-world cases, exploration of best practices, collaborative discussions, and access to contemporary investigative tools and resources.

The course covers essential methodologies spanning investigative techniques, forensic analysis, and prosecution strategies. Attendees will learn proven tactics to circumvent common obstacles that impede successful prosecution of cold cases and gain insight into establishing and sustaining a functional cold case unit within their agencies.

Course Details

Duration: 16 hours of instruction (2 days)

Cost: $450.00 per participant

Fee Includes: Training materials and instructional costs. Participants are responsible for arranging and paying for meals, travel, and lodging.

Upcoming Sessions

• September 30 - October 1, 2026 | Everett, WA (Registration deadline: August 17, 2026)
• December 16-17, 2026 | Delaware, OH
• March 3-4, 2027 | St. Augustine, FL
• April 26-27, 2027 | Milford, CT
• September 29-30, 2027 | Rochester, MN
• November 17-18, 2027 | Liverpool, NY

Schedule (September 30 - October 1, 2026 Session)

Day 1 (September 30):

• 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM: Death Investigation Processes and Procedures
• 9:00 AM - 10:45 AM: Cold Cases – Selection, Preparation & Management
• 10:45 AM - 12:00 PM: Working with the Prosecutor
• 1:15 PM - 3:15 PM: Behavioral Aspects of Cold Case Investigations
• 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM: Interviewing in Cold Cases

Day 2 (October 1):

• 8:30 AM - 10:15 AM: Case Strategy
• 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM: No Body Homicide
• 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM: Using Biological Forensic Technology
• 2:30 PM - 3:15 PM: Case Study
• 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM: Student Case Reviews
• 4:15 PM - 4:30 PM: Post-Test and Wrap Up

Ideal for

• Crime Analysis Team Members
• Forensic Service Units
• Coroners and Medical Examiners
• Law Enforcement Personnel
• Prosecutors

Training Location (Everett, WA Session)

Venue: Snohomish County Sheriff's Office, South Precinct, 9901 24th Pl W, Everett, WA 98204

Lodging Options:

• Hilton Garden Inn Seattle North/Everett, 8401 Paine Field Blvd, Mukilteo, WA 98275
• Hotel Indigo Seattle Everett Waterfront, 1028 13th Street, Everett, WA 98201
• TownePlace Suites Seattle Everett/Mukilteo, 8521 Mukilteo Speedway, Mukilteo, WA 98275
• Tulalip Resort Casino, 10200 Quil Ceda Blvd, Tulalip, WA 98271

Instructors

James Holmes - Special Agent (Ret.), Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation

Jim Holmes has served as a certified law enforcement officer in Wisconsin since 1995, beginning with positions at the Dane County Sheriff's Department and Fitchburg Police Department before joining the Wisconsin Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation in 1996. Throughout his career, he has been assigned to the White Collar Crimes Bureau, the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit, and the Major Crimes Unit, where he has participated in numerous adult and child homicide investigations, equivocal death cases, officer-involved shootings, murder-for-hire prosecutions, missing and abducted children cases, and child exploitation matters. He has extensive experience working multiple cold case homicide investigations.

Mark MacKizer - NCJTC Associate Instructor

Mark is a retired Special Agent from the Federal Bureau of Investigation with 27 years of service, primarily focused on violent crime investigations. He held various leadership roles including Crisis Management Coordinator, Violent Gang Safe Streets Task Force Coordinator, and team leader for the FBI's Southeast Region Child Abduction Rapid Deployment Team. During his final seven years with the FBI, he was assigned to the Behavioral Analysis Unit, where he provided behaviorally-based operational support for violent crime investigations and threats. Mark is a co-author of "Crimes Against Children: Behavioral and Investigative Perspectives" and the third edition of the FBI's Child Abduction Response Plan. He continues to provide behavioral analysis consulting services to government and private organizations.

What Participants Say

Past attendees have praised the instructors' expertise and the practical value of the training, noting the combination of prosecutorial and investigative perspectives, the opportunity to network with professionals from across the country, and the immediate applicability of new investigative methods and strategies to their ongoing cases.

Contact Information

Jessica Heimann | (855) 866-2582 | jessica.heimann2274@fvtc.edu

For information regarding continuing education units, please consult the NCJTC policies page.