Public access to unsolved homicide files?

Always remembering · Dec 9, 2005

Hello,

Do private citizens have the right to view specific (20+ years) cold homicide cases through the Freedom of Information Act or some such regulation? Any information on this will be appreciated.

Thanks!

talelights · Dec 9, 2005

Always remembering said:
Hello,

Do private citizens have the right to view specific (20+ years) cold homicide cases through the Freedom of Information Act or some such regulation? Any information on this will be appreciated.

Thanks!

You might be able to get some records, but maybe not the official police files. I think it depends on if the case is closed or not.

mysteriew · Dec 9, 2005

Alwaysremembering, are you talking about a family member? Often a family member can access more records than a member of the general public.

Richard · Dec 10, 2005

Police tend to hold their files pretty closely and do not often let members of the general public see them without good reason. Family members of a victim might be able to see the files, depending on circumstances but often family members are among the first to be investigated, and police might not want to give up too much information.

The Freedom of Information Act was passed about 1974, but it only applies to Federal Records and information held by Federal agencies and offices. So, FBI files are subject to it, but not local or State Police files.

It also depends a lot on whether a file is considered still open, or closed.

Public access to unsolved homicide files?

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