That press conference, releasing a two year old sketch, asking the public for information, was something you do on day one - not day 780. The information they gave, (offender told someone, works, lives, used to live in the area, may be following the investigation, could have been interviewed in the past) was a basic profile of a small town murderer.
The police officer, Carter, was emotional - not empowered. He was disappointed to be on that podium, announcing to anyone who was paying attention, that they were starting st square one.