DELAWARE STATE POLICE HOMICIDE UNIT

Captain Ralph Davis

Established in 1989, the Delaware State Police (DSP) Homicide Unit is comprised of five sworn members and one civilian administrative assistant. The primary responsibilities of the Homicide Unit include the investigation of homicides, suspicious deaths, and missing persons in which the person is suspected to be deceased. The Homicide Unit also investigates officer involved uses of deadly force, attempted murders, and selected assaults. In addition to new investigations, the Homicide Unit is responsible for investigating “cold case” homicides.

During 2009 the Homicide Unit investigated a total of 23 new cases. The Unit also provided investigative assistance to all DSP criminal troops and allied law enforcement agencies in numerous death and missing person investigations. Of the 23 new cases investigated by Unit members, twelve were homicide investigations. Arrests were made in six of the twelve homicide investigations. Eleven murder cases from previous years were adjudicated in the court system during 2009 and Unit members cleared one cold case.

This year the Homicide Unit hosted the 14th Annual Homicide Conference in Dover. This annual event continues to gain recognition and respect in the medico-legal community. Approximately 170 criminal investigators representing 45 law enforcement agencies from the northeast region attended the conference, which included several nationally recognized speakers. Topics included cellular telephone technology, firearms and pattern injuries, criminal profiling, domestic related homicides, interview and interrogation, and forensic pathology.

The Homicide Unit saw much change during 2009. The Unit lost twenty-eight years of homicide investigative experience with the transfers of Captain John Evans, Sergeant Keith Marvel, and Detective Michael Maher. The new members of the Unit will undoubtedly benefit from the foundation laid down by these outstanding investigators.

As we move into the new year, the Delaware State Police Homicide Unit and Forensic Firearms Services Unit remain committed to serving the residents and visitors of our state with the highest quality of service possible. Both Units look forward to meeting the new challenges in crime fighting through continued and specialized training as well as utilization of the latest advanced technology in forensics.

- Information obtained from 2009 DSP Annual Report -