Open-source searchesOpen-source searches help solve cold cases

LexisNexis Risk Solutions yesterday announced that Anthony Brigidini and Kenneth “Todd” Williams of the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C. have been selected as the recipients of the 2011 One Step Closer award. The company says the awards program is designed to honor leaders in federal, state, and local government for excellence in the use of open or third-party information sources to bring government cases, problems, or investigations “one step closer” to resolution.

“Today, employees at all levels of government are expected to do more with less; they are using the power of open source information to work smarter and be more efficient,” said Haywood J. Talcove, chief executive officer, Government, LexisNexis Risk Solutions. “The One Step Closer awards program honors government leaders who go above and beyond, leveraging public records and technology to deliver exceptional results and improve government operations in ways that directly impact citizens such as solving crimes faster in this case.”

LexisNexis notes that Brigidini and Williams both began with the Metropolitan Police Department twenty-two years ago, working patrol and then vice squad. They are now partners in the Major Case-Cold Case Unit, solving eighteen cold cases over the past four years, some of which were considered unable to be solved. In the past year alone, they have brought closure to seven cold cases — the oldest dating back to 1997. The team has closed such high-profile cases as the 1997 murder of Sharon Maskowitz and the 2001 murder of Chandra Levy.

“The dedication of these detectives and their dogged pursuit of information have placed them in an elite group within the Metropolitan Police Department,” said Captain Michael Farish, Metropolitan Police Department, Homicide Branch. “As members of the Major Case-Cold Case Unit, they are seasoned detectives who have repeatedly performed at a level achieved by only a handful, serving as leaders among their peers. They are well-deserving of this award.”

“Leveraging the power of public records to aid in these investigations is a key component to resolving cases and investigations. We applaud Anthony Brigidini and Todd Williams for their creative crime solving initiatives,” said Thomas Joyce, director of law enforcement strategy, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, and former detective commander for the New York City Police Department.

The One Step Closer awards were presented at a reception during the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) 118th Annual Conference.