A message from

Captain Roger Spurgeon
Homicide Branch Commander
The IMPD Homicide Branch is
dedicated to seeking truth and justice.
The emotions associated with - and
legal complexities of - the kinds of
cases investigated are recognized as
sources of frustration. This brochure has
been created to ease some of those
frustrations.
You are encouraged to read this short
brochure in its entirety since it is
intended to answer commonly asked
questions. Please keep this document
readily available as a continual
reference since these frequent questions
come up at different points in time
during the process of investigating the
death of your loved one.
Finally, please know we recognize each
incident represents the loss of
someone’s loved one. Each person was
special to someone. So, more than just
being detectives, as human beings who
also have loved ones, we are committed
to finding the answers to the questions
we would have if this was our own
family.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Q:
Why are homicide detectives
involved in the investigation of your loved
one’s death?
A:
IMPD homicide detectives
investigate all equivocal deaths in IMPD’s
jurisdiction of the City of Indianapolis to
include:
 Murder
 Suicide
 Overdose
 Drowning
 Fire
 Infant (Child)
 Criminal Neglect
 Accidents other than
vehicular
Q:
When do homicide detectives
continue with the death investigation?
A:
Homicide detectives focus on cases
involving suspicious deaths. Once the
death is ruled a homicide, the detective
will delve further into the case and work it
until they either solve it or can go no
further.
Q:
What happens if the death is not
considered a homicide or a criminal
investigation?
A:
The Marion County Coroner’s
Office will conduct their investigation and
contact the family.

Q:
If my loved one was a victim of a
homicide or criminal act causing his/her
death, will a homicide detective contact
me?
A:
A homicide detective will be
immediately assigned to a homicide
investigation. It is very important the
assigned detective contacts the family and
meets with the family in person.
Victimology is the study of the victim’s life
and is a crucial element in any such
investigation. The assigned detective will
set up a meeting to determine the history
of the victim. The detective will need one
person to be the family point of contact,
usually the legal next-of-kin. This single
point of contact will be the person the
detective shares information with because
it is very difficult and time-consuming to try
to keep several members of the victim’s
family informed. The detective will have
many other cases already assigned to
him/her, and this process helps with
efficient information-sharing.
Q:
What if the detective assigned to
my loved one’s case does not call or share
information with me like I think they
should?
A:
A homicide investigation is very
intense and detailed. The detective must
determine the facts of the case. Many
details of the investigation must remain
confidential and cannot be shared. The
detective must keep this information
confidential to ensure the case can be
prosecuted in a court of law.

 Q:
What can I do to help with the
investigation?
A:
The best thing to do is to keep your
eyes and ears open and contact the
detective with any new information you
may find. Even small bits of info
sometimes have great value. Please be
cautious when using social media.
Q:
What happens to my loved one’s
personal property?
A:
During a homicide investigation, all
your loved one’s property may be used as
evidence. Therefore, it might be held until
the case is resolved before it can be
released. This is on a case-by-case basis.
Q:
IMPD towed my loved one’s
vehicle, will it be released?

Criminal Investigations Division

Deputy Chief Christopher Bailey
Major Harold Turner
Lieutenant Matthew Thomas
Homicide Branch

Captain Roger Spurgeon
Lieutenant Bruce Smith
Lieutenant Kerry Buckner

A:
If your loved one’s vehicle was
towed due to a homicide investigation, the
detective assigned will have the vehicle
processed as soon as possible and
released.

Name: __________________________

Q:
Will I incur a charge due to my
loved one’s car being towed?

Phone: __________________________

A:
Anytime that IMPD has a vehicle
towed it is taken to Auto Return, which is a
private company. Therefore, there will be a
fee charged for the tow and storage. Auto
Return may be reached at 317-308-4479.

The Indianapolis Metropolitan
Police Department
Homicide Branch

Your Homicide Detective

Email: __________________________
Notes: __________________________
________________________________

IMPD Homicide
50 N. Alabama St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-327-3475
www.indy.gov