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Bureau Chief:
Assistant District Attorney
Peter T. Reese
The primary mission of the Homicide Investigations Bureau is case enhancement. The goal of every assistant in the bureau is to take a given investigation, as developed by the police and the bureau and find ways to augment the case so that it is in the best posture for trial. One of the hallmarks of District Attorney Brown’s administration is his standing order that all homicide investigations assistants go to the scene of the crime and participate in the investigations immediately.
Cases are developed by assistant district attorneys through the use of forensic evidence, such as blood and hair samples, fingerprint and ballistic evidence, autopsies and DNA testing. They also routinely participate in the interview of suspects and the preparation of search warrants, making certain that these investigative techniques do not run afoul of the often complex legal pitfalls that could be fatal to a successful criminal prosecution. A top homicide prosecutor must be a good lawyer and a good investigator. The assistants actively work with the police at the outset of a case, develop investigative strategies and provide legal and technical support to investigative efforts.
The Homicide Investigations assistants are available on 24-hour call each day of the year. Working closely with the NYPD’s Borough Homicide Squad, precinct detectives, and accident investigation squads, Homicide Investigations assistants act as legal advisors to the police and lend assistance in such areas as drafting of search warrants, conferring on appropriate charges and taking audio or videotaped statements from witnesses and suspects. After completing the investigation, these assistants then present the evidence to the Grand Jury which determines whether an indictment is warranted.
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