In 2015, the legislature funded two Maine State Police detectives and one forensic chemist to work exclusively on unsolved murder cases in coordination with a dedicated prosecutor in the Office of the Attorney General. These professionals are joined by a Victim Advocate who is dedicated to serving the family members of victims.
This multi-disciplinary team, Maine's first Unsolved Homicide Unit, reviews these cases with "fresh eyes" and collaborates with law enforcement, medical examiners, forensic scientists and other experts to create new momentum to solve these crimes and hold offenders accountable.
Statewide, Maine has more than 100 cases, comprising unsolved murder cases, suspicious death cases and missing person cases in which criminal conduct is suspected. We recognize the public imperative in solving these cases. The failure to prosecute murderers for their crimes endangers the public safety, undermines public confidence in the criminal justice system and causes unspeakable pain to the loved ones of victims.
What is an unsolved homicide case?
This is a known or potential homicide case in which three years or more have passed without an individual having been charged. Not included are cases in which there is evidence which establishes beyond a reasonable doubt that the person responsible is dead, or cases in which constitutional and legal principles preclude prosecution. Examples include cases in which the defendant was acquitted after trial and cases involving a clear legal defense, such as self-defense.
Which cases will be assigned to the Unsolved Homicide Unit?
Maine State Police and the Bangor and Portland police departments will continue to assign unsolved homicide cases to their detectives. These detectives will collaborate with the Office of the Attorney General, State Crime Laboratory, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and other agencies to identify the individual or individuals responsible and bring them to justice. The members of the UHU will review unsolved homicide cases and deploy additional forensic and investigative resources to those cases which are most likely to be solved. This will ensure that that no victim is forgotten, no case goes unattended and that additional resources of the unit are deployed for optimal effect.