The Small-Town Effect on Cold Cases
Faculty Mentor Name
Kelly Crockett
Format Preference
Poster
Abstract
Cold cases represent unresolved questions shaped by time, community involvement, and evolving investigative methods. This undergraduate research examines how the “small-town effect” can both positively and negatively influence the progression of a criminal investigation. The project focuses on the unsolved murder of a woman in a small coastal town in California, a case that remains significant within the local community. Due to legal and ethical constraints, certain case details are limited. Conducted decades after the crime, this research utilizes open-source materials, interviews with community members, and forensic psychology frameworks to explore factors that may have contributed to the case remaining unsolved.
The project originated from an interest in a case connected to the researcher’s hometown and developed into an applied learning experience. Data sources include newspaper articles, obituaries, and documented local recollections, which were analyzed alongside forensic psychology tools to construct a clearer understanding of the events and investigative context. Particular attention was given to the role of small-town dynamics, including interpersonal relationships, informal information sharing, and media portrayal, and how these factors may have influenced both public perception and the original investigation.
This research aims to evaluate how small-town characteristics can either support or hinder cold case investigations while maintaining ethical responsibility in civilian-led research involving real-world violence. Findings suggest that open-source research combined with community narratives and forensic psychological analysis can reveal overlooked patterns or contextual factors. This highlights the research process and demonstrates how experiential, hands-on learning allows undergraduate students to apply academic knowledge to meaningful real-world issues.
The Small-Town Effect on Cold Cases
Cold cases represent unresolved questions shaped by time, community involvement, and evolving investigative methods. This undergraduate research examines how the “small-town effect” can both positively and negatively influence the progression of a criminal investigation. The project focuses on the unsolved murder of a woman in a small coastal town in California, a case that remains significant within the local community. Due to legal and ethical constraints, certain case details are limited. Conducted decades after the crime, this research utilizes open-source materials, interviews with community members, and forensic psychology frameworks to explore factors that may have contributed to the case remaining unsolved.
The project originated from an interest in a case connected to the researcher’s hometown and developed into an applied learning experience. Data sources include newspaper articles, obituaries, and documented local recollections, which were analyzed alongside forensic psychology tools to construct a clearer understanding of the events and investigative context. Particular attention was given to the role of small-town dynamics, including interpersonal relationships, informal information sharing, and media portrayal, and how these factors may have influenced both public perception and the original investigation.
This research aims to evaluate how small-town characteristics can either support or hinder cold case investigations while maintaining ethical responsibility in civilian-led research involving real-world violence. Findings suggest that open-source research combined with community narratives and forensic psychological analysis can reveal overlooked patterns or contextual factors. This highlights the research process and demonstrates how experiential, hands-on learning allows undergraduate students to apply academic knowledge to meaningful real-world issues.