HOMICIDE & MAJOR CRIME INVESTIGATIONS

Experienced Investigation and Case Review for High Stakes Criminal Matters

Westbrook Investigations & Consulting provides experienced investigative support in homicide, suspicious death, serious shooting, and other major criminal matters. Our work includes independent case review, evidence and witness analysis, identification of investigative gaps, and targeted follow-up investigation designed to develop the facts counsel needs to evaluate and advance a case.

A Disciplined Approach to Homicide and Major Crime Cases

Homicide and major crime investigations often involve extensive discovery, multiple witnesses, forensic evidence, digital evidence, conflicting accounts, and investigative decisions made over the course of an evolving case. Westbrook approaches these matters through a systematic review of the existing investigation, followed by focused investigative work directed at unresolved questions, evidentiary gaps, and additional leads.

What We Examine

  • Police reports and supplemental investigative reports

  • Witness statements and prior interviews

  • Crime-scene documentation, photographs, and diagrams

  • Video, photographic, and other digital evidence

  • Medical examiner and autopsy records

  • Forensic and laboratory reports

  • Investigative timelines and sequence of events

  • Conflicting or inconsistent accounts

  • Unresolved investigative leads and evidentiary gaps

From Case Review to Focused Investigation

Reviewing the existing investigation is only the starting point. When additional investigative work is warranted, Westbrook develops focused investigative steps based on the evidence, unresolved questions, and identified gaps in the case.

Focused Investigative Work

  • Locating and interviewing witnesses

  • Re-interviewing previously identified witnesses when appropriate

  • Following up on unresolved investigative leads

  • Conducting scene examinations and documenting relevant conditions

  • Developing and testing investigative timelines

  • Comparing witness accounts against physical, documentary, and digital evidence

  • Identifying additional records, video, photographs, or other evidence requiring investigation

  • Conducting targeted background and open-source research when relevant to the case

  • Providing counsel with documented investigative findings and recommended follow-up

Experience Built in Homicide and Major Crime Investigations

Westbrook’s investigative leadership brings decades of experience handling homicide, death, shooting, cold-case, and other major-crime investigations. That experience includes conducting and supervising complex investigations, interviewing witnesses and suspects, reviewing investigative files, developing leads, coordinating investigative resources, and evaluating cases where the evidence, witness accounts, and investigative record require careful scrutiny.

Matthew Gnatek

Managing Partner

  • Nearly 30 years with the Detroit Police Department

  • Extensive career as a Detective Sergeant in the Homicide Section

  • Handled or supported more than 1,000 homicide, critical shooting, suicide, overdose, unexpected death, and infant death investigations

  • Extensive experience in homicide investigation, major-crime case review, investigative supervision, witness interviews, suspect interrogations, and complex death investigations

Barbara Kozloff

Director of Investigations

  • 25 years with the Detroit Police Department

  • Approximately 15 years in Detroit Homicide

  • Lieutenant and Officer in Charge of the Detroit Police Homicide Task Force

  • Homicide Cold Case Sergeant, averaging approximately 12 case closures annually

Homicide, Suspicious Death & Major Crimes

Westbrook provides investigative support in serious criminal matters where the circumstances of an incident, the existing investigation, or the available evidence require independent examination. Our role may involve reviewing the original investigation, developing additional facts, pursuing unresolved leads, and conducting focused follow up investigations based on the needs of the case.

Matters We Investigate

  • Homicide and attempted homicide

  • Suspicious and unexplained deaths

  • Serious shooting investigations

  • Self-defense and justification cases

  • Cold cases and previously unresolved investigations

  • Wrongful-conviction and post-conviction matters

  • Complex criminal cases requiring independent investigative review

When Independent Review May Be Appropriate

  • Important questions remain unresolved

  • Witness accounts conflict with other evidence

  • Significant leads were not fully investigated

  • The sequence of events remains unclear or disputed

  • Additional witnesses, records, video, or other evidence may exist

  • New information has developed since the original investigation

  • Counsel needs an independent assessment of the investigative record

Who We Work With

Homicide and major-crime investigations require different approaches depending on who retains us and the purpose of the investigation. Westbrook works with attorneys, individuals, families, and organizations that need experienced, independent investigative support in serious criminal matters.

Our Clients Include

  • Criminal defense attorneys and law firms

  • Appointed and indigent defense counsel

  • Individuals facing serious criminal allegations

  • Families seeking independent review of a death or major-crime investigation

  • Attorneys handling wrongful-conviction and post-conviction matters

  • Civil attorneys whose cases involve disputed death or serious criminal conduct

Clear, Documented Investigative Findings

The value of an investigation is not simply in gathering information. The findings must be organized, documented, and communicated in a manner that allows the client and counsel to understand what was developed and how it relates to the matter under investigation.

Depending on the Assignment, Our Work Product May Include

  • Investigative reports and activity documentation

  • Witness interview summaries and statements

  • Investigative timelines and chronologies

  • Scene photographs and documentation

  • Records and evidence developed during the investigation

  • Identification of unresolved questions and investigative gaps

  • Recommended investigative follow-up when appropriate

  • Organized findings for review by counsel or the client

Discuss Your Case With an Experienced Investigator

If you are dealing with a homicide, suspicious death, serious shooting, or other major criminal matter, contact Westbrook Investigations & Consulting to discuss the circumstances of the case and determine how experienced investigative support may assist.

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