Case Study: Gresham Police Department locates critical geolocation evidence to solve complex homicide with LexisNexis Risk Solutions

Geolocation Data is Key to Locating Evidence in Gresham Homicide

The Gresham Police Department investigated a brutal 2016 homicide in which a severely wounded victim later died, leaving little eyewitness information and a complex scene that included a bloody shoe print and limited initial digital forensics capability. Detectives developed multiple theories, gathered physical and phone evidence, and faced challenges when suspects relocated and initial call-detail records did not clearly place them at the crime scene.

Using a COPS-funded digital forensics unit, detectives completed specialized LexisNexis Risk Solutions training and leveraged Accurint TraX plus Google location data to visualize call-detail records and identify an abnormal movement pattern. That lead directed investigators to a creek where they recovered a bloody women’s size 9.5 Airwalk boot and other items; lab testing tied the boot to the scene, the geolocation evidence withstood legal scrutiny, and the case concluded with the female suspect sentenced to life (parole possible after 30 years) and the male suspect sentenced to 56 months.

Gresham Police Department

Adam Wright

Detective