Cold Case Detective

San Mateo County Sheriff's Office is seeking a Cold Case Detective with a proposal due date of August 7, 2026. This is an employment or independent-contractor position, not a goods or services procurement in the traditional sense.

The Cold Case Unit investigates unsolved dormant homicides, sexual assault cases, and missing person cases through reexamination of evidence using modern forensic technology such as DNA analysis and CODIS database cross-referencing, along with traditional investigative techniques including case-file review, witness and family re-interviews, and case preparation for prosecution. Key responsibilities include identifying new leads, maintaining chain of custody, and collaborating with forensic experts to develop prosecutable cases from historical evidence.

The Sheriff's Office provides investigative and specialized services to San Mateo County criminal justice agencies and polices Half Moon Bay, Millbrae, San Carlos, Portola Valley, and unincorporated areas of Redwood City, Menlo Park, and East Palo Alto. The office also provides security for SamTrans buses, kiosks, and vehicles, and Caltrain rail equipment, stations, and facilities.

Addendum #1 Revision was posted July 30, 2026, modifying the original solicitation. The specific modifications, contract value, compensation structure, contract duration, and incumbent information are not detailed in the source materials. San Mateo County's standard contract templates indicate that independent-contractor agreements under $200,000 and those over $200,000 are both available, with standard provisions including thirty-day termination without cause, insurance requirements naming the County as additional insured, compliance with prevailing wage and living wage ordinances, and non-discrimination provisions with liquidated damages of $2,500 per violation.