📚 Main Topics

1. Background and Experience

   • Agent Elizabeth Bigum's employment with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).
   • Previous roles in child exploitation and general investigations.
   • Training process to become a GBI agent.

2. Cold Case Unit

   • Establishment of the Cold Case Unit under the Coleman Baker Act in July 2023.
   • Criteria for cases to be reviewed by the Cold Case Unit.

3. Investigation of Tara Baker's Case

   • Assignment to the Tara Baker murder case as her first case in the Cold Case Unit.
   • Initial steps taken in reviewing the extensive case files from both the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and GBI.

4. Evidence Review and Biological Evidence

   • Importance of reviewing physical and biological evidence in cold cases.
   • The process of inventorying evidence and identifying potential items for retesting.
   • Discovery of DNA matches from the sexual assault kit related to Tara Baker's case.

5. Interviews and Investigative Actions

   • Conducting interviews with witnesses and suspects, including Chris Melton and Edric Fost.
   • Techniques used in interviewing suspects and witnesses.
   • The decision-making process leading to the arrest of Edric Fost.

✨ Key Takeaways

• Training and ExperienceAgent Bigum's extensive background in law enforcement and specialized training equips her for handling complex investigations.
• Cold Case InvestigationsThe establishment of the Cold Case Unit allows for a focused approach to unresolved homicide cases, utilizing updated forensic technology.
• Evidence HandlingThorough documentation and organization of evidence are crucial in cold case investigations, especially when dealing with large volumes of information.
• DNA EvidenceAdvances in forensic science can provide new leads in long-standing cases, as demonstrated by the DNA matches found in Tara Baker's case.
• Interview TechniquesA relaxed and conversational approach can be effective in gathering information from witnesses and suspects.

🧠 Lessons Learned

• The importance of meticulous evidence management and the need for continuous review of past cases to leverage new technologies.
• Collaboration among law enforcement agencies and the use of specialized forensic labs can enhance the investigative process.
• Understanding the psychological aspects of interviewing can lead to more effective communication and information gathering from individuals involved in a case.