cold case homicide investigators

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Major Inquiries - Homicide Team within Specialist Crime of the Metropolitan Police. We are looking for cold case homicide investigators who will deliver specialist investigative expertise to support the reinvestigation of non-recent unsolved homicides and major crime, ensuring high standards of investigation in line with legislative and policy requirements. The successful individual will exercise delegated investigative powers under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) to gather, preserve, and present evidence that contributes to the resolution of serious crime cases. The role focuses on providing support to new homicide investigations, ensuring consistency and professionalism in evidence gathering, analysis, and case progression.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct planned investigations into unsolved and current homicide cases, ensuring compliance with legislation, policy, and best practice to deliver accurate and timely case outcomes.
• Exercise delegated police powers, including obtaining warrants, conducting lawful searches under PACE, seizing evidence, and interviewing suspects, victims, and witnesses, to progress investigations effectively.
• Gather, evaluate, and analyse intelligence and information from multiple sources, including open-source material and Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) systems, to identify investigative opportunities and lines of enquiry.
• Prepare and conduct formal interviews with suspects, victims, and witnesses, ensuring evidence is captured and safeguarded to the required standards.
• Maintain accurate case records and investigative products within the HOLMES system, ensuring continuity, compliance, and evidential integrity.
• Secure, manage and transport exhibits and documents, maintaining continuity and evidential standards to support successful case progression.
• Build and maintain professional working relationships with victims’ families, internal colleagues, and external partners (e.g., Crown Prosecution Service, other police forces, Coroners, local authorities), ensuring appropriate safeguarding and joint problem solving.
• Provide scene attendance and appreciation, assessing potential evidential opportunities and ensuring appropriate evidence capture at the earliest opportunity.
• Contribute to team‑based case reviews and debriefs, identifying lessons learned and embedding continuous improvement in investigative practice.
• Operate independently and as part of a team to manage competing priorities and caseloads, escalating issues appropriately to supervisory officers.
• Maintain Family Liaison and Exhibits Officer accreditations, ensuring all Court of Appeal judgments and current court proceedings are supported through accurate case preparation and evidential continuity.

Benefits:

• Annual leave entitlement of 28 days plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days after 5 years of service.
• Civil service pension arrangements.
• Interest‑free season ticket loans.
• Membership of Met sports and social clubs.
• Flexible working conditions.

Qualifications:

• Strong understanding of criminal law, investigative procedures, and the Criminal Justice System.
• Knowledge of PACE and associated legislation relevant to serious crime investigations.
• Understanding of data protection legislation and information management in criminal investigations.
• Knowledge of family liaison protocols and exhibits management processes in serious crime investigations.
• Ability to conduct suspect, victim, and witness interviews to PIP2 standard.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills to build trust, convey information, and produce accurate records.
• Ability to assess and manage organisational risk in complex investigations over sustained periods.
• IT literacy, with working knowledge of MS Word, Excel, and HOLMES (or willingness to learn).
• Experience working within a HOLMES environment.
• Experience in managing relationships with multiple stakeholders in high‑risk or sensitive investigations.
• Experience of prisoner handling, custody procedures, and interviewing suspects.