Factors Related to Successful Case Clearance for Fatal and Nonfatal Shootings: A Multisite Analysis

• In Event: Solving Gun Crimes

Abstract

Understanding the characteristics of successful fatal and nonfatal shooting investigations is a fundamental step towards improving law enforcement investigative practices, increasing case closure and subsequent arrest, and preventing future violence. This presentation highlights findings from the National Case Closed Project (NCCP) and Project CLEARS (community-law enforcement alignment to resolve shootings), which aim to assess the factors that are important to case clearance. The projects involve data collection efforts across multiple jurisdictions that are diverse in region, context, and performance in clearing violent crime investigations. Data collection activities in each site include qualitative interviews with agency and other stakeholders and investigative case file coding of a random sample of cleared and uncleared nonfatal and fatal shootings by subject matter experts. Descriptive and inferential analyses were used to assess the agency and investigation-level factors associated with successful case clearance outcomes for seven sites. Results from these analyses, including factors that distinguish cleared from uncleared cases and how these vary by shooting type and site, will be discussed. Common gaps in investigations identified through the case file review will also be discussed. Ultimately, this research has implications for recommendations to law enforcement aimed at improving their fatal and nonfatal shooting investigations.

Authors

• Nicole Johnson, Research Triangle Institute

• Kevin Strom, Research Triangle Institute