***The First Crime***
By: Captain Sean Sanborn

Why do you suppose that dramas, movies, books, and true crime podcasts about murder are so popular in pop culture? It seems that this subject is widely explored and excites the imagination of authors, readers, moviegoers, and consumers of all kinds of informational material. Murder is the first crime, one that remains a crime in the United States and is found in the first book of the Bible, Genesis, in the story of Cain and Abel. Television shows such as “CSI” are largely centered on the topic of murder and the scientific methods used to solve these crimes. While these shows, reading materials, and podcasts are interesting in pop culture, what is being done locally to solve these crimes?

Coos County consists of seven incorporated cities and several unincorporated communities. To date, the Coos County Sheriff’s Office has been the lead agency investigating three homicides that occurred in unincorporated areas of Coos County in 2024. The Sheriff’s Office has also assisted in investigating one other homicide that occurred within the City of Coos Bay. Currently, the Coos County Jail houses five adults in custody who have been accused of taking another human being's life. As of October 22, 2024, this number constitutes six percent of the total population incarcerated in our jail.

The reality is that homicide investigations are among the most labor-intensive and expensive that we conduct. Anyone who has watched A&E’s “The First 48” knows that identifying a suspect during that time period is crucial. Gathering evidence while it is still fresh is of utmost importance in these investigations. Tracking down witnesses and suspects in a timely manner is key to obtaining information and leads while it is still fresh in people's minds.

Since Coos County is largely made up of smaller police agencies, we investigate homicides using a multi-agency approach. Nearly every community police force and the Oregon State Police come together to share personnel and resources in order to investigate these crimes. While homicide is not the only type of major crime for which this model is used, it is the most common locally.

Typically, the lead agency investigating a crime is determined by where the crime occurred. If a murder occurs in an unincorporated area of Coos County, the Coos County Sheriff’s Office will take the lead. Conversely, if the crime occurs in a state park or on the highway, the Oregon State Police will take the lead. The only time this does not happen is if that agency is somehow involved in the incident, such as in an officer-involved shooting. In such cases, the lead agency is identified by the Coos County District Attorney’s Office. It is important to note that officer-involved shootings are treated and investigated as homicides.

So, how are homicides investigated? Most investigations begin with a call for service. In some cases, they start as missing persons reports, in others as reports of violence, or some other crime where a person is found deceased. The initial peace officer responds and initiates an investigation. If the circumstances raise suspicion about the cause of death, administrative staff and the District Attorney’s Office are contacted. A call goes out for additional resources, and the investigation begins in earnest.

Typically, once everyone has gathered, there is a briefing for the investigative team outlining the known facts gathered thus far. A plan is developed to collect both physical and testimonial evidence, and tasks are assigned by the case officer. The case officer is an experienced peace officer or detective who acts as the focal point for information. At the Coos County Sheriff’s Office, we have cross-trained an employee to be a crime analyst. This individual is crucial, as they sift through the information gathered, create timelines, conduct background research, and identify gaps in the investigation that need to be addressed.

If additional resources are needed, they are obtained. The Oregon State Police Crime Lab has a mobile evidence collection unit, akin to the starring roles in the television show “CSI.” They respond to crime scenes and assist in evidence collection, always in conjunction with the local investigative team. Drones are also often employed to provide a bird’s-eye view of a scene.

Most homicide investigations are complex. After the initial rush of information is gathered, the long game begins. Analyzing digital data is an evolving field of investigation. Phones not only show text and message conversations but may also provide geographical data indicating where the phone has been in relation to the homicide. In nearly every homicide I have been involved in, several search warrant affidavits are authored and reviewed by the District Attorney’s Office, ultimately leading to a circuit court judge issuing a warrant that allows investigating officers to review specific data believed to be located on those phones, persons, or specified locations.

Eventually, the decedent is turned over to the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office, where an autopsy is conducted to determine the cause and manner of death. The cause of death refers to the precipitating event that led to the person's death, while the manner of death describes the circumstances surrounding it. For example, if a person dies in their sleep due to a heart attack, the cause of death would be heart disease, while the manner of death would be classified as natural causes. During a homicide investigation, trained peace officers attend the autopsy to collect any evidence, such as bullet fragments or clothing found on or in the body of the decedent.

Sadly, it is not always clear who committed the crime, or there may not be enough evidence to establish probable cause against any individual. In these instances, the case goes “cold.” To be clear, homicide cases are never closed when this happens. It is not uncommon to continue following up on leads for years as new information emerges. Furthermore, as technology advances, new methods of gathering information and identifying suspects are utilized. A good example of this is DNA analysis, which was not available to law enforcement in the 1970s. Recently, the Coos County Sheriff’s Office closed a case involving an unidentified person found deceased in the 1970s using DNA evidence.

While these types of investigations are often glamorized, there is nothing glamorous about a homicide. The circumstances that lead one person to kill another are typically ugly, brutal, and often senseless. The Coos County Sheriff’s Office exhausts all available resources to solve these investigations. After all, murder is the First Crime.

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