Cracking Open Cold Cases with Jerry Mitchell
- Elizabeth Clemons
- Nov 23
- 1 min read
Workshop Recording
Watch this recording from MuckRock's Sunlight Research Center and award-winning investigative reporter Jerry Mitchell for a practical workshop on reopening and reporting on cold cases, and finding the truth buried in decades-old evidence. Drawing on his experience helping solve cold cases, Mitchell walks through how to piece together investigations that law enforcement left unresolved and how to turn fragments of old records into new leads.
We explore how to:
Gather and analyze law enforcement files, court documents, and investigative records.
Reconnect with victims’ families, friends, and witnesses — and earn their trust to uncover new details.
Request and organize personal materials like photographs, journals, and letters that can shed new light on old crimes.
Approach and interview suspects or persons of interest ethically and effectively.
Identify patterns and corroborate evidence that can move a stalled case forward.
Whether you’re investigating an unsolved murder, revisiting a case that’s gone cold, or looking to strengthen your crime-reporting skills, this session equips you with the tools, strategies, and mindset to pursue justice through rigorous reporting.
Questions or comments about Sunlight's workshops and resources? Contact Elizabeth at elizabeth@muckrock.com.